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User profile for user: Joris W.
Joris W. Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

AirPods Pro 2 won't work reliably with older Mac(s)

I've bought AirPods Pro 2nd generation. They work flawlessly with:

  • A 2016 MacBook Pro (Running Monterey)
  • A 2021 MacBook Pro (Running Monterey)
  • A 2022 MacBook Air (Running Ventura)
  • An iPhone 12 mini (Running iOS 16.1)


They don't work at all with:

  • A 2012 Mac mini (running Catalina)
  • A 2014 Mac mini (running Monterey)


I've seen a community member here link to this page:

If your AirPods won't connect – Apple Support (UK)


The software requirements listed on this page are incorrect. It says you need macOS Ventura to use AirPods Pro 2. This is impossible. They came out before Ventura did. To state "make sure you are running the latest version of macOS" is also sloppy, as it's not specific.


On to the reproduction and symptoms:


  • I make sure no device is paired with the 2014 Mac mini running Monterey
  • I put the AirPods Pro 2 case down, opened, with the AirPods in it, next to the Mac mini
  • I go to Bluetooth System Preferences
  • I wait (quite) a while for the AirPods Case to show up, and hit Connect
  • The connection succeeds.
  • I put in the AirPods and play some sound. No sound is heard, other than from the HiFi system connected to the digital audio out port. I do notice the noise cancellation working on the AirPods.
  • I go to Sound System Preferences and look for the AirPods as output device. Not there.
  • After a while I hear the AirPods disconnect and reconnect. Briefly, they are now seen by macOS as the output device.
  • I QuickLook an mp3 file and hear the music playing through the AirPods.
  • After 10 seconds, the audio cuts out, comes back with what seems like a distorted or wrong bitrate, and then AirPods disconnect again.


I can consistently reproduce the above. All this time, I'm about 1 meter away from the Mac mini.


I have tried:

  • Two different Mac minis (2012 and 2014)
  • Reinstalling Monterey on the 2014 Mac mini


I am thoroughly underwhelmed by this experience. It's a shame, because the AirPods Pro 2 themselves, sound great and the very impressive noise cancelation is why I bought these. But if I can't use them with an older Mac, which I use to play videos on my TV, my use for them is cut by about 30%.

Posted on Nov 3, 2022 3:12 AM

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User profile for user: c_luc9
c_luc9
User level: Community Specialist

Posted on Nov 4, 2022 5:15 PM

Hello Joris W.


Thanks for reaching out to us in Apple Support Communities about your AirPods Pro 2nd gen not working with your older Mac computers. We're happy to help by looking into this more! 


Here's a resource that can help: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) - Technical Specifications


The oldest Mac mini that will work with your AirPods is the Mac mini (Late 2014). So if you don't have the late 2014 it will not work with your 2012 or your 2014 Mac mini.


Hope this article helps.


Best Regards.




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Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: c_luc9
c_luc9
User level: Community Specialist

Nov 4, 2022 5:15 PM in response to Joris W.

Hello Joris W.


Thanks for reaching out to us in Apple Support Communities about your AirPods Pro 2nd gen not working with your older Mac computers. We're happy to help by looking into this more! 


Here's a resource that can help: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) - Technical Specifications


The oldest Mac mini that will work with your AirPods is the Mac mini (Late 2014). So if you don't have the late 2014 it will not work with your 2012 or your 2014 Mac mini.


Hope this article helps.


Best Regards.




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AirPods Pro 2 won't work reliably with older Mac(s)

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