Can’t answer incoming calls to AirPods by button on Apple Watch

Hi guys,

I hope I can help someone out there regardless of the fact that I use SONY WH-1000XM4 BT-headphones instead of "ApplePods"; but do think perhaps that the source of the problem can be the same:

The symptom is that if I answer the incoming call with the green call button on my watch the call is not routed to the watch > headphones. I noticed that if I keep the call active, and click on the phone top left corner "call symbol" the call suddenly WAS routed to my headphones as expected. So I thought it had to do with some background app issues on the phone.

Today I experienced many weird issues with my BT-headphones and googled how to reset them. I held CUSTOM button + Power button in for 10 seconds while it was off, and connected to a power source. Then I did the same while off while NOT connected to a power source to delete any presets.

Then I paired them FIRST with my watch (Bluetooth), and then paired them with the phone.

My wife called just now, and guess what - I answered on my watch (green button) and the call was routed to my headphones. Seems like it is working now.

Perhaps this might be the same for any BT device? Try to completely reset them, and try to pair them FIRST to the watch and then to the phone. I don't know if that is how it is done with ApplePods but perhaps then I can help someone else out there with a different BT setup like me (Sony).

I suspect that the pairing order can "trigger the bug" in iOS. Apple will probably fix this later on if my theory is true.

Peace.

I had this problem too. What I ended up doing is unpairing the AirPod Pros from my phone, then reconnecting them. Once I did that I made sure that the AirPod Pros were connected across all of my Apple Devices. They were connected to my iPhone and my iPad, but not to my Apple Watch. Once I hit connect there they started functioning normally again. Hope this helps!

this worked for me and works most of the time. Try this. Once you insert the AirPods go to Bluetooth, select the connected airpod and scroll down to connect this -to when last used with this iPhone. No connection between AirPods and phone if ‘automatically’ is checked. This has been working for me no thanks to Apple. Good luck!

I believe this issue is fixed with watchOS 8.3 and iOS 15.2. Please update the OS on your iPhone and Watch and try again.

Hi i_am_gangsta,

Thank you for reaching out in Apple Support Communities. We'd like for you to have a seamless experience in answering phone calls from the Apple Watch to your AirPods. We'll be happy to help.

We recommend to reset your AirPods and to re-pair it. This is a step that may help: How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro

In addition, let's make sure that each of your Apple devices are fully updated to the latest software version. For the iPhone, you'll want to ensure it has iOS 14.7.1 and that the Apple Watch has watchOS 7.6.1. This helps provide software improvements on each device. If needed, here's two articles on how to update each device:

1. Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
2. Update your Apple Watch

Please let us know if these steps help.

Kind regards.

I found out last night that mine only work when both AirPods are in my ear. Maybe that’s the only way it’s meant to work.

Even if you click on the AirPods from your Apple Watch? It shows “not connected” until you actually tap the AirPods from the watch screen.

It seems like updating phone firmware to 15.2 fixed it for me.

Finally figured it out:

On your iPhone:

• Connect Apple Watch and Airpods to Bluetooth

On your Apple Watch

• Go to Settings
• Go to Bluetooth
  • Open Airpod Case
• Connect Airpods to Apple Watch Bluetooth

Should now work.

I am having the same problem that started suddenly a few weeks ago. I spent nearly two hours on the phone with Apple support and they got back to me - their engineers said 'that's just the way it is'. I tried everything-unpairing, repairing, rebooting-nothing. When I answer on my watch the music stops briefly and starts up again...very, very annoying. I am ready to try another brand and forget the Airpods altogether!

Any other suggestions???

Thank you!

Same issue. Earlier receiving calls on apple watch and my airpods used to get connected like a charm. Very frustrating to take out the iphone. My friend also facing the same issue. i guess something is wrong with new Airpods firmware 4A400

same issue.. i have tryed manualy connect, apple watch to airpods (Airplay Button) and it work. but after that, u must reconnnect again when u used airpod again.

so i just sell my apple watch and airpod, and i used other brand for my problem, sorry apple, :)

It’s true: every time I put the airpods back in the case they just disconnect from the watch.

At this point I think the problem is the Watch oS, it’s there the disconnection.

At least now we got a (very) partial solution.

Another one, to use after receiving a call, is open the telephone app on the phone… as soon as you do that the airpods activate and the watch stops making noise.

Apple DO SOMETHING

When will this be fixed Apple?!

We have all purchased these products so that we have a seamless ecosystem, iPhone, Apple watch, AirPods. This has been interrupted by one of your iOS updates and needs to be debugged and repaired. OR you need to refunding / replacing the hardware for every customer experiencing this issue. As it stands one or more of the products are faulty and Apple has a responsibility to consumers to make good on their products.

Aside from this be hugely frustrating, this is impacting day-to-day lives and is putting your customers at risk; see here having to get your iPhone out in spaces where you are open to having your phone stolen (highly likely in London) or damaged while at work etc.

Please fix this issue, it is within your capabilities.

Same problem for bluetooth headphones. I can use my watch to ask Siri to call a family member, and it routes as expected to the paired bluetooth headphones (the call), but when the same person calls me back and I click the green "answer button" on the watch - the call is routed to the watch speaker. It does not help to click on the 3 dots on the watch to manually "route the call to the Sony headphones" - the call stays on the watch speaker regardless. Only way is to answer the incoming call on the iphone itself defeating the purpose of using the watch to do this. I have also as suggested in this thread tried to disable "Handoff" on both watch + phone. I have also updated to version 15.2 on the phone today. Same issue. This used to work flawlessly Apple! Fix the bug.