If you have AirPods or even better, AirPods Pro, you have probably encountered the same problem as us. After a few months of use, and pairings on several devices, the automatic connection stops working – or works erratically.
There are many possible causes. But usually the problem arises as soon as you start pairing AirPods with devices other than iPhone, which includes your Mac. Normally, the solution is relatively simple, as long as your accessory does not have a real technical defect.
We therefore offer you several tips whose effectiveness we have been able to verify ourselves on a daily basis. Follow them in order, and if none of these tips work, explain to Apple Support the steps you've already taken to save time.
Your AirPods or AirPods Pro no longer automatically connect to the iPhone
The simplest steps usually fix the problem, but you may end up restoring the settings from time to time your earphones in the event of really recalcitrant problems. If none of these steps work then you can be pretty sure your unit is affected by a more serious technical problem.
1 – Check that your AirPods are not dead
We know it, it seems obvious, but believe us – the author of these lines believed more than once that his AirPods had a problem before realizing that they were simply discharged. So first put your AirPods in their plugged-in case and let them charge for at least half an hour, and try again.
2 – Interrupt the bluetooth connection for about ten seconds
Sometimes bluetooth can fail. This is why in the preliminary stages it is advisable to deactivate bluetooth and reactivate it after a few seconds. Warning: it is pointless to perform this operation from the Control Center.
Indeed, if you turn off Bluetooth from there, the Bluetooth functionality will actually remain on – and the smartphone will remain connected to your Apple accessories despite appearances (this button only disconnects your other accessories). To circumvent this:
If the AirPods connection is working again you can stop here. If the problem persists, you must reset your headphones.
3 – Reset your AirPods Pro
To do this:
The light will then flash orange, then white. Place the case near your iPhone and open it: your AirPods will then be detected as a new accessory to pair.
4 – Reset your iPhone
This step was advised to us by an Apple employee. If all the above manipulations do not work, the problem may be due to a bug in your iOS installation. Something that a return to factory settings will completely fix.
Before anything else, make sure your iPhone is backed up. If not, you risk losing everything on your device. To make sure, go to Settings > Your Apple ID > iCloud backup and check that the feature is enabled.
If applicable, tap Back up now connect your smartphone to your WiFi network and leave it plugged in to do its backup overnight (this takes some time). Once this formality is done, you can get down to business:
Reset your iPhone, restore the backup, and try your AirPods again. Does it finally work? If so, you only have one option left.
5 – Contact Apple Customer Service
If the problem persists, no additional tips will help. Simply contact Apple Customer Service and explain the problem and the steps in this tutorial that you have taken.
You can contact Apple via the company's website. In particular, a very practical online chat is offered. If you prefer the phone, you can contact a technical support advisor on 0 805 540 003 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 6pm.
Your AirPods or AirPods Pro no longer automatically connect to your Mac
On Mac, check your situation. If you only connected your AirPods to your Mac, the connection should be immediate and automatic when you put them on your ears. If you previously paired your AirPods with your iPhone, a notification will appear on your nearby Mac.
Be sure to click Connect to explicitly switch to Mac audio. If necessary, the AirPods normally automatically juggle between your devices that emit sound. If your AirPods are not behaving this way, there is only one solution:
If they are already paired on your iPhone, and they work normally on this device, they will pair again on their own as soon as necessary to play sound (watch for the famous notification…). Otherwise, if nothing you do works, contact Apple Support for a solution.
Read also – Which wireless headphones (bluetooth) to choose in 2021?
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