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AirPod Pro Microphone Call Quality

Since using the Airpod Pros this week and on calls people have been commenting on how they are having a hard time hearing me. This is something that never happened with my regular AirPods. From what I can gather it sounds like the external noise cancellation or noise reduction algorithm is getting confused with the noise outside and my voice and effectively cutting out or reducing my voice and boosting the background noise.  

Are others running into this problem? The common complaint I’m getting when talking on the phone with the Airpod Pro is that the background noise is too loud.

Posted on Nov 2, 2019 5:58 AM

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Posted on Nov 4, 2019 6:27 AM

Yes it is happening to me as well!! People say I am muffled and cannot hear me very well. 😡

I paid a lot for these and to have the Pro name there should not be any muffling when using the mic to talk!!! Come on Apple..........

782 replies

Apr 25, 2024 11:45 PM in response to flypaddy

I have had my AirPods Pro for 3 years and every day I have sworn over the poor call quality on noisy surroundings.

Yesterday when I read in this forum about one user suggesting to change the Mic setting to Voice

isolation in the Control panel was a game changer. I can now take calls on the bus, have a noisy vacuumcleaner or water tap running and the other person hears nothing but my voice.


This setting is only visible during calls or other apps using the mic.


I do not understand all complaints about poor mic quality when this easy setting changes it all. Heck, who am I to say that, walking around with this complaint for years. It should be noted that this setting is only available on "newer" iPhones (mine is an iPhone 14), my old X do not have it for example.


Nov 27, 2019 7:19 AM in response to Syrcle

Has anyone talked to Apple directly about this? Do they have any feedback in regards to the microphone performance. Given so many people are experiencing the same thing, I doubt this is a repair issues as it is either a design flaw or most likely a software algorithm issue. I plan on getting in touch with Apple however wanted to see what people have been hearing from them so far...

Nov 27, 2019 10:34 PM in response to jutah76

Yep I am having same problem in Aus with my 5 day old pros. Currently at genius bar. Tech ever heard of it or knows how to service it. 30 mins on, tech is still behind office reading literature!!! Looking all the reviews, it seems a design problem. No point in replacing, i might return them and wait for few months. Otherwise they might refuse to swap later.

Nov 28, 2019 7:31 AM in response to Verserk85

I call AC and described the problem we are facing. I've also replied with this specificities discussion. They let me know.


Did you folks ever tried to make a voice recording test via native app in noise in environment?


I tried many test, around 70-80 db noise level, and between APP e AP2 there are no main differences.


But.. if you check here (AirPods pro) https://youtu.be/xX8l1Xhhrb8?t=616 and here (AirPods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Xu0vWWqOc&t=412sthe the difference is HUGE.


I'll doubt a fw update will enhnance the mics: so sad to go through a return,

Dec 1, 2019 11:42 PM in response to prem279

Hey mate, just wondering what ended up happening? Did you return them??


Got them as a birthday present but if I can’t make calls on them I’m super disappointing. Everyone says that it sounds like it’s ‘raining’ when I try to call them.


Bewildering to me that this isn’t something you would iron out prior to release.

Dec 1, 2019 11:57 PM in response to dean.p89

Nope the problem is still there.


I contacted Apple via Twitter and they told me to the usual bits - unpair and pair again etc. the funniest was that they asked if my phone was close to the AirPods and also to take off my case! Hahaha


I use an Apple silicone case.


also the AirPods are supposed to be wireless and are meant to be kept at distance I guess. Regardless.... my phone is literally in my pocket when on calls.


I have already returned one pair but the issue is still there.

Dec 2, 2019 12:01 PM in response to dean.p89

I tried calling by turning the anc off and in transparency mode. Seem to work but still not clear. Genius bar seem to think its the software that can figure out your voice and outside noise. It cancels all outside sound when making a call. For $399 aud i got told to turn anc off to make calls. I’ve returned them. I’ll wait for firmware update, test at apple store and buy them in few months(maybe).

Dec 3, 2019 5:29 AM in response to Syrcle

I faced the same problem today while walking next to traffic. The other person said the cars were so loud it had hurt in her ears. I don‘t even need to mention whether she was able to understand me. I‘m receiving replaced Airpods Pro in a few days because I also had problems with the noice cancelling making a slight hissing sound. I hope that this can be fixed via a firmware update.

AirPod Pro Microphone Call Quality

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