AirPods Pro picking up background noise on call

Same, just spent $320 Aus on air pod pros, expecting sound quality better than my trusty Airpod gen 2.

i used them with pride only to be told by work people that the back ground noise is unbearable.

when taking a call in the car, it’s amplified the car driving sound (was not a problem with air pod) note: I’m using iPhone 11, iOS 15

I feel ripped off, I suspect Apple can not fix the issue because they would have done it by now.

what is confusing is the reviews of the product is very positive and no one has called out the issue.

i feel disappointed with Apple and will be asking for refund

I had this same problem, finally I made contact with customer support online, they arranged a collection of the airpods for a repair job. They have now been fixed. I would advise anyone experiencing the same issue to contact the support and push for the repair job. Hope this helps.

Yes, I did the same you did, got a replacement initially from a store on Regent Street, London, but the problem was still there (unsurprisingly given so many complaints here). I then got fed up and contacted their online support, they asked me to do all the things I’d already been told to do, reset, un pair, blah blah. Nothing worked so they arranged a repair job. All fixed now.

Hey guys I have been following this thread because my AirPods pro has had that same calling issue ever since my purchase in August 2021. I tried to put forward my AirPods pro for replacement but they did a 3-hours test on my headphone and they said they were completely fine (but it is obviously not).

When I was hopeless after that visit to the Apple store, tet IOS 15 update dropped! In the headphone settings from the control centre, we can now switch to "voice isolation" along with "standard mode" and "wide spectrum". I tried to FaceTime with my friend who has always complained about how bad my AirPods pro sounded.

And guess what? It no longer picked up background noise! I tried typing with my loud keyboard and turned on the water tap while talking to my friend and he said he heard no noise of typing and running water. One thing I have not tested though is if it picks up others talking rather than me talking, but now I feel so relieved I have to share with you guys! I could not believe it is a software issue, and it took them so long to fix it.

Headphone settings? I don't see it - I updated to iOS 15 and still only have the noise cancellation or spatial audio settings. I can't find anything that shows Voice Isolation.... I thought there was finally any answer! Can you please post screen shots?

Ok… so I contacted them over the chat, they asked me to do an appointment, went to the appointment they didn’t found any issue with my replacement AirPods but they acknowledge that issue is not there while in FaceTime call and activating mic isolation mode.. for normal calls still the issue.

They told me they were not going to repair them as they just were replacing them, so they are on order now as Trafford Center didn’t had any replacements in stock lol..

In 3/4 days I should get the new ones.. (2nd round)

I bought my APP in June 2021. After people complained about the microphone picking up background noises and not hearing me I sent my APP to apple for a review a week later.

Since June 2021, I have replaced my APP pairs 4 times. It never got fixed. I made the senior apple technician mail Ireland about this issue (since she had the same issue as an Apple employee and was curious about the upcoming solution) and she told me herself that Apple is aware of this issue and is trying its best to find a solution with upcoming updates (she told me this before the newest 4A400 update).

In conclusion, nothing happened and nothing is fixed. People still cannot hear me during calls if I am outside the house. The microphone quality is worse than the 3rd party $1 no-brand headphones.

I am already tired of sending my APP to Apple and letting it go. What I am curious about is how not everyone is having the same problem? How is the brand new replacement APP having the same issue? And why isn't Apple making an official statement about this if they are so aware!

I’m waiting for my 2nd replacement now.. not sure if the new firmware update that came out today has fixed the issue.. I have not tested.

At the moment with those that have FaceTime app I will do the voice calls that way as selecting mic isolation fixes the issue.. (but only on FaceTime calls) - so that clearly says is a software issue more than a hardware one.. a new set probably will have the same issues.

Apple should make a recall, official statement about it at least and fix it with a firmware update…

Anyone on new update that came up today has felt any difference while calling outside?

Thanks

New firmware (4A402) does not fix my airpods pro. Still have issues with the microphone when there is noise or wind.

Should be a HW problem because some people do not complaint about that.

Will exchange in a few days and see if a new ones works as it should.

So - another AirPods Software update and the issue with picking up and amplifying background noises still there …. Also they dont seem to have introduced the option to have mic isolation during calls as its already on audio conversations via FaceTime or WhatsApp calls… :(

Come on Apple… cannot be that difficult to sort out this terrible issue where the caller can hear more the background noises outside that your own voice.. Disappointing to say the least..

Unfortunately same here. I'm using my Pros for work and remote working doesn't seem like an option with this hardware. Everytime I'm on call either I sound muffled or my background noise is bursting peoples eardrums. Really-really annoying for pricey HW. Useless!

i have the same issue , even when i open a door my friend at the other end hear so loud and so irritating . Even if i turn on noise cancellation is only on my side , but the other side can hear the little sound like i opening a box , it seems a magnifier on their whenever i use airpod

So interesting! I ‘tried’ your comment earlier this week … and it didn’t seem to help. However, this time I followed the exact steps to reset. I wasn’t patient before … and didn’t wait for them to turn the amber color. Once I followed Apple’s exact steps to reset them it actually worked. Tested it with my husband. It’s not perfect … but it’s wayyyy better … my AirPods Pro are no longer amplifying the background noise as bad for the person I’m talking to. Just for extra info - I have an iPhone 12Pro … and my AirPods Pro firmware version is 4C165.

Richard.SA wrote:

Interesting that it worked for me but not for you. What do you think could be the difference? Have you checked the firmware of your AirPods?

There’s no way resetting your pods simply fixed background noise for callers on the other end of the line. These AirPods Pros do not have the technology to do so.

Having the same exact issue here and did some testing with info from another post. When I have the microphone changed from automatic switch, to right earphone....... people say the background noise is better but they can barely hear me now. Then when I switch to the left earphone they say they hear me better but the background noise is awful again.

So I dunno these $250 Airpods are seriously not worth the price as I seriously cannot use them. If you wanna listen to music at the gym its perfect. But they are unusable to having a phone conversation with people. This is horrible tech from apple, I wish I could return these and get all that money back. I really hope they can fix this issue with a software update of some sort. Here I have been getting annoyed with people and saying its YOU, and not me. But in reality it is me with poor inferior technology at a very high price. Apple FIX IT !!! There is an issue when SOOOO MANY people are complaining about the same exact thing.