Sometimes when I unpause media it starts to buffer really badly when it has head-tracking spatial audio enabled. It gets better if it is turned off but it still buffers a bit. It is fixed when I put them back in the case, close it, and then take them out again. What is causing this? Is it a software issue on my Apple devices? Is there something wrong with my AirPods themselves?
Hi JamesR7151,
Thanks for getting back to us.
Let's make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 16.2 to rule out the possibility this is related to an outdated version of iOS. Here's how to Update your iPhone or iPad. This also ensures your AirPods have the latest firmware update.
Be sure you don't have any Headphone Accommodations on or Mono Audio enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual. This can create problems for Spatial Audio.
Finally, resetting your AirPods can possibly resolve this issue. Here's How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro.
If the issue continues after all these steps, you should next contact Apple Support for a deeper dive.
Have a fantastic day!
Hi JamesR7151,
Thanks for getting back to us.
Let's make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 16.2 to rule out the possibility this is related to an outdated version of iOS. Here's how to Update your iPhone or iPad. This also ensures your AirPods have the latest firmware update.
Be sure you don't have any Headphone Accommodations on or Mono Audio enabled in Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual. This can create problems for Spatial Audio.
Finally, resetting your AirPods can possibly resolve this issue. Here's How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro.
If the issue continues after all these steps, you should next contact Apple Support for a deeper dive.
Have a fantastic day!
Hello JamesR7151,
To help us get a better understanding of the issue, we’d like to ask a few questions.
1. Which device are you using your AirPods with? Does the issue happen when using the AirPods with multiple devices?
2. Does this happen with all audio, or does it only happen with certain apps? If the issue happens with certain apps, which apps are affected?
The above details will help us plan how to proceed.
Please also check out this link to ensure the correct process is being used to pause and unpause audio, so we can make sure that's not part of the issue: Pause, skip, and adjust volume with your AirPods and AirPods Pro
Control audio with your AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd generation) or AirPods (3rd generation)
• To play and pause audio, press the force sensor on the stem of an AirPod. To resume playback, press again.
• To skip forward, double-press the force sensor.
• To skip back, triple-press the force sensor.
• To turn the volume up or down, say "Hey Siri," then say something like "Turn up the volume" or "Turn down the volume." Or drag the volume slider in the app that you're listening to, on the Lock Screen, or in Control Center. You can also open Now Playing on your Apple Watch and turn the Digital Crown to make your AirPods Pro or AirPods (3rd generation) louder or quieter.
Thanks!
The issue affects all apps about the same. I use my AirPods with an iPhone 13 Pro Max and an iPad (8th generation). I only really use it one device at a time typically. I pause audio just by hitting the pause button on my device usually.
My AirPods 3rd Gen keep buffering sometimes after unpausing
