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Level 1

14 points

Automatic device switching not working on AirPods Pro

I have the most recent OS on all devices (iPhone iOS 14, iPad iPadOS 14 & AirPods Pro 3A283) and all devices are signed in to the same iCloud account. The AirPods have been successfully paired to both devices, they are set to automatically connect to each device (iPhone & iPad) in their corresponding Bluetooth settings, I’ve even tried “forget this device” and re-pairing the AirPods but the automatic device switching is still not working. Are there any other settings outside of the Bluetooth settings that need to be activated to use this function? Or does this only work in certain situations like when ending a phone call, FaceTime call, etc.? This is the situation I tried: I was listening to a podcast on my phone with the AirPods, but then wanted to use them to watch a film on my iPad. I closed the podcast app, put my phone down then picked up the iPad and started a film but the audio was playing on my iPad speakers and I had to manually choose the AirPods as audio device like before the OS updates. I would be thankful for any information on what I may be doing wrong or for suggestions or tips on what I could try.

iPad Pro, iPadOS 14

Posted on Sep 23, 2020 2:11 PM

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MsCornchip Author

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Sep 27, 2020 3:41 AM

This post is going out to those who noted that they have the same question.

Since posting a few days ago, I have continued to try different things to fix the problem. This morning, on a whim because this function works in connection with a user’s iCloud account, I upgraded my iCloud account security to two-factor authentication to see if this would make a difference. This didn’t seem to solve my issue immediately, though after reconnecting the AirPods to my iPhone after the security upgrade (at that moment I was already using them with my iPad) I can now listen to audio on both my iPad and iPhone without manually switching. Both devices are showing in their Bluetooth settings that they are connected to my AirPods Pro. I’m not sure if this is how it is intended to work, that both devices are simultaneously connected to the AirPods, however when I now start any kind of audio (or receive an incoming call) the audio automatically starts playing on the AirPods from the device with the most recent audio activity. I also get a pop-up message on the screen of the inactive device that the AirPods Pro have been switched to my other device.

It would interest me to know if the community members still having issues also have the older security settings without two-factor authentication or if it was just a coincidence that it is now working for me after I upgraded. Hopefully it will help at least some of you. I know how frustrating this problem was for me, it was the function I was most looking forward to in the OS 14 updates.

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47 replies

Jan 28, 2021 11:23 PM in response to John I.

I was having the same issue, what I did was to “forget device” and then sign out from iCloud on my iPhone and my iPad, then signing in again and pair the AirPods back, that way I fixed the issue, I had the 2 factor authentication since the beginning.

Jan 30, 2021 9:41 AM in response to MsCornchip

faced with the same issue

2fa, log off and log in doesn’t help.

latest firmware at all devices...

seems to be big soft issue. Pay 200 usd for pair of earbuds that doesn’t work properly... **** Apple what next?

soft quality is lower and lower from year to year.

Jan 30, 2021 8:06 PM in response to MsCornchip

I already had two-factor authentication before using AirPods Pro, so I tried logging out and then in iCloud on my devices. It worked auto-switching to my iPhone but not to MAC, though it will show AirPods Pro Nearby on my MAC so I have to click 'connect'. I will keep trying. This thread has helped a lot!

Feb 4, 2021 5:48 AM in response to rutujbhayani

Curious... does everyone see there devices in iCloud, can you see them in the about portions of your phones , my problem is when my watch is on the pods won’t connect. I see them listed on the phone and connected, if I change sound settings I will hear the noise just no music. Do fake pods show in iCloud?

Feb 4, 2021 6:31 AM in response to once4skippy

The funny thing is that fake one also trackable at iCloud and via Find my iPhone. You can locate each pod separately just like original.

ps. After two iCloud log in/log off autoswitch is now working between iPhone and iPad.

but there is no this magical sign about not switching that is shown in official guide in case you won’t switch to different device.

weird.

also weird fact that first time i connected pods to phone and then they appeared at ipad without additional synch. While after this dance on iCloud I had to synch at both devices separately. Btw now both devices connect to pods simultaneously but sound is transmitted from one of them where music/movie/ game is on.

Curly610

Level 1

4 points

Feb 15, 2021 1:51 PM in response to John I.

I don't even have a "Connect to This ________" button! It should be there but isn't. Not only do my AirPods not switch, I can't even switch them manually short of forgetting them from one device and adding them to the other.

Feb 15, 2021 3:47 PM in response to once4skippy

This is my experience. I had chatted with the support back and forth many times, and eventually they got me to replace with a new pair. The same problem persisted -- pods couldn't auto connect and switch. Then I found this thread, tried everything people suggested above: (most updated systems), updated firmware, and my 2FA had already set up, so I logged out and in iCloud on my devices. Then my pods can finally auto connect to my iPhone and switch one way to iPhone! Now, on the Mac side. They don’t auto connect so I always have to manually do that. Also, because I am taking an online course, I have to watch and pause videos many times on my Mac, the connection loses every time when I pause the videos, which is super annoying. BUT, if I reconnect them manually several times, maybe it is not the best way to put it, they are kind of like AI that they will learn the path, and then do the auto connecting and switching. (Of course next time when I use them, they lose the path…) So maybe if you have the same problems as me, try connecting and disconnecting several times perhaps the pods will pick up the path. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than not doing the job… I really hope the tech team will read this thread because surely it is a terrible flaw, and the consumers shouldn’t have been left to deal with it.

bilham

Level 1

4 points

May 17, 2021 4:00 AM in response to MsCornchip

I have logged out and login iCloud account from both my iPhones and enabled 2-factor authentication. But still, auto-switching is not working on my iPhone 11 pro max (14.5.1) and iPhone 7 (14.5.1). I am using Airpod Pro (3E751)

VBJun

Level 1

4 points

May 22, 2021 8:55 AM in response to MsCornchip

I have an iPhone 12 Mini ios 14.5.1 and an iPad 5th Gen IPadOS 14.5.1

I logged off my apple account on both devices and reseted my air pod 2th gen. Then logged in and paired the airpods

it worked!

Thanks guys

Jul 26, 2021 5:57 PM in response to MsCornchip

I have just posted the same question yesterday as a new owner of AirPods Pro. I have used successfully PowerBeats (first gen and now the Pro) and this works seamlessly in all my Apple devices (iPhone 12, iPhone 8+ and iPad2).

I paired my AirPods Pro to my three devices, and they connect and all have the latest iOS and the Automatic setting and Ear Detection as well and still, my audio does not switch automatically to the device go to. I have to manually search for the AirPods Pro in the device and connect. And I too have the 2FA on. I chatted with Support and after resetting and paring again, still no success. I was asked to call Support, still no success. Now, I have an appointment at Apple Store on Sunday and see what is next.

I am so disappointed as this works seamlessly on the PowerBeats and I wanted to get earpods with no hooks over my ears that worked as well as the PBP but...no. :(

Aug 15, 2021 2:30 PM in response to alexandr285

Thanks! I did that many times and did not seem to work until finally they started connecting automatically. Not sure if fully charging them and listening to music for a while with them somehow triggered some firmware upgrade.

All good now.