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Meowachu Author

Level 1

36 points

iPadOS 14.5 Audio Skipping and Glitching

Hi! Just putting this out here.

Ever since I updated to the new iPadOS 14.5 and 14.5.1, I’ve been having some stupid audio issue that never occurred before. I constantly have to unplug the earbuds to fix the reoccurring issue. Basically if audio plays and the bug happens, the audio is fine, but would skip or glitch out. It’s still audible, just with annoying glitches and cuts. It can happen in any app.

This is not my earbuds but rather the update. My audio has been working PERFECTLY fine until yesterday, when I updated to iOS 14.5. Also, this is an iPad Air 4. I’ve tried everythinf (from restarting and many other things) and it’s still there. Hopefully Apple fixes this bug in a future update. I work on videos and things that use audio. The timing will be messed up because of the bug.

Anyone else who is experiencing this or any suggestions? I would appreciate it! Thanks :D

iPad Air, iPadOS 14

Posted on May 3, 2021 5:35 PM

Top-ranking reply

cj138xx

Level 1

9 points

Posted on May 5, 2021 3:48 PM

Hi - I am having the same exact issue. I have tried 2 Apple USB C to 3.5mm dongles and tried 3 different pairs of headphones (including one with an in-line mic). It seems multi-tasking with any apps that have audio/video triggers this audio skipping issue for me and then won't stop skipping until I unplug/reinsert headphones or restart the iPad. Once this issue starts, all apps are impacted (YouTube, Apple Music, Safari, etc).

I bought my iPad less then 1 week ago and the audio was fine the first few days and then the same audio issue started happening. Updated to 14.5.1 last night hoping it would fix the audio problem but still persists. I am under AppleCare and contacted Apple yesterday, they told me to go to Best Buy (where I purchased it) and meet with their Apple authorized technician. The technician could not figure it out either but said they were seeing other people with this issue. The technician did a Reset All Settings but as he suspected it's an OS issue, he couldn't do much else. I ended up exchanging the iPad for a new one and currently waiting for everything to re-download. I'll try and give you an update tomorrow.

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138 replies

Jul 7, 2021 10:46 PM in response to Meowachu

Podcast application issue has been around for years. With each iOS updates, Podcast software has given me problems, not just on this iPad, but also previous one.

I honestly believe the team assigned to the Podcast App do not know how to build quality software.

If I just play a podcast, it's acceptable. However, once I fire up Safari or Chrome, you can feel the lag, audio will stutter, and the audio will stop together. The audio glitch happens with other apps as well.

Jul 10, 2021 7:07 AM in response to qayom

does anyone know whether it will do anything to do a clean install or whether it is basically due to the iPadOS? Can a fault in the hardware be ruled out? Thank you for helpful testimonials! I have now returned my iPad Air 4 for the first time because the audio error is an important function for my areas of application.

Jul 10, 2021 7:57 AM in response to qayom

does anyone know whether it will do anything to do a clean install or whether it is basically due to the iPadOS? Can a fault in the hardware be ruled out? Thank you for helpful testimonials! I have now returned my iPad Air 4 for the first time because the audio error that occurs means that I cannot use the audio applications that are important to me with the headphones.

rolf234

Level 1

8 points

Jul 10, 2021 3:37 PM in response to CrazySoundMusicLover

I worked with an Apple authorized shop a while ago when I first encountered this audio issue. First step they did a full reinstall of the OS on my iPad Air 4. No change.

second step is they traded me for a brand new iPad Air 4….same problem.

As many have said this is an OS or driver level bug….nothing to do with hardware.

[Edited by Moderator]

Jul 11, 2021 7:59 AM in response to Meowachu

I am simply using a USB-C to USB-2 cable and allowing Ecamm Live to recognize my iPad 4 as a "Source device". The audio GLITCH every 20 -30 seconds continues. I have tried all ideas presented in these discussions. In other words the solution that has worked for some (can't mention or my comments get deleted) - did not work for me/my setup.

Ktat11

Level 1

4 points

Jul 13, 2021 12:16 PM in response to Meowachu

As a long time apple user and professional musician using my iPad for performance, I can’t believe this problem has went on so long. A completely absurd situation rendering the iPad useless for the reason I bought it. I’ve had to switch to using my phone and a lightning to headphone adapter. Great job apple, and thanks for the timely problem solving…

biblops

Level 1

8 points

Jul 13, 2021 3:09 PM in response to brandonfromedinburg

I hope they don’t expect us to wait til 15 officially releases to get a fix.

The bug itself is bad enough but Apple completely ignoring it is absolutely terrible. So many of us have been unable to properly work on our devices for months now and haven’t been given any hope of it being fixed. Disgusting.

Jul 13, 2021 3:25 PM in response to Meowachu

Same here, ipad air 4, problem began whith one of latests updates. Using original Earpods with original adapter. Every single content I play is glitched, no sync with video, and need to unplug and plug again.

please solve this, is such an expensive device.

j.j.w

Level 1

14 points

Jul 14, 2021 1:17 AM in response to Meowachu

It sure looks like an iPadOS bug to me.

I have this problem bad with the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter in between my iPad Air 4 and my Sennheiser headset (don't recall the model).

I don't have the problem with the headset plugged directly into my M1 Mini, or with the headset plugged into the Mini via the adapter. I also didn't have the issue in the past with the same headset plugged into my 9.7" iPad Pro, my late-2016 15" MBP, or an Xbox controller.

Meowachu Author

Level 1

36 points

Jul 15, 2021 3:40 PM in response to biblops

The bug has gotten even worse.

There is another bug within it, where the audio is off timing, with static in the background. It’s triggered by the same thing, and I’ve just encounter it today. While this one doesn’t glitch out the audio, it’s still bad. So now, there is 2 versions of this stupid bug. I hope it’s fixed before iPadOS 15, already gotten even more troublesome.

Meowachu Author

Level 1

36 points

Jul 15, 2021 3:51 PM in response to biblops

(reply to your now deleted link reply)

This is really disappointing.

Apple is being ever so quiet about it and haven’t even done anything. Only evidence we have that they did something is how in the (15), the issue doesn’t occur, at least from what I’ve seen in this forum.

They would rather be quiet about the most simple, but very problematic bug but work on the new 15 update that barely has much changes compared to the 14. It’s basically the iOS/iPadOS 14, but upgraded a bit.

Jul 16, 2021 11:04 PM in response to Meowachu

This happens with my M1 iPad Pro 11 inch too, I found a fix where you can initiate siri using power button and wait for siri to say something and the problem disappears i go back to app that I was playing media on, rarely if it doesn't I do that siri thing another time then it works

KierH

Level 1

4 points

Jul 17, 2021 2:42 PM in response to Meowachu

Dang, just got my iPad a couple days ago and this glitch was driving me nuts! Glad that it’s just a software issue and not a hardware problem. Hopefully it gets patched soon. Until then I guess it’s back to listening to music on the trusty phone.

gqthic

Level 1

4 points

Jul 19, 2021 4:46 AM in response to Meowachu

I solved this problem by simply taking out the usb part that plugs into my iPad Pro directly. Just unplug your headphones and put them back in and the problem should be solved. If not, I recommend getting it checked out.

Jul 19, 2021 7:49 AM in response to Meowachu

Yep .. I’m having the same problem .. unplugging works but is not really a solution .. just a temporary fix .. I’m also having a similar issue when recording into GarageBand via a usb audio interface .. recording starts glitching part way through .. unplug everything and do a hard reset and it works ok .. until next time and then it starts again .. this on a 2020 iPad Pro 11” and started after the update to 14.5 .. had anyone tried using an external usb dac? .. would that fix the problem? ..

iPadOS 14.5 Audio Skipping and Glitching