How to fix choppy audio on MacBook Pro with Bluetooth devices?

Exact same issue. Brand new MBP 14 M1 Pro on Ventura 13.2.

Tried resetting Bluetooth module, restarting the Mac, turning off the AirPlay/AirDrop crap.

I have to disconnect and reconnect my devices pretty much every hour or so to "fix" the stuttering - sometimes it happens in Zoom calls.

Issue exists with my Anker Q30 headphones as well as my soundbar in my desk setup. The fact that other folks are having issues with Airpods/Airpods Pro should probably rule out that this is specific to any specific audio device.

Yes, I use a bluetooth mouse and keyboard all the time -- wait, let me try using my peripherals 2.4GHz adapter instead! Oh right, there are no USB-A ports. Guess I gotta have a stupid dongle hanging around.

It's absolutely ridiculous that this happens on a """Pro""", expensive device. Have 3 or more bluetooth devices you wanna use? Good luck!

Never had anything like this happen on any of my thin and light Windows laptops.

YUP! I have stuttering audio doing basic things like playing a *.wav file!

Every time I update OSes on Mac now something breaks. Windows 95 style.

Frustrating. Have a studio session tomorrow and I was a complete idiot to update OSes.

Same issue here with Ventura 13.1 2021 M1 Pro 14". It happened after one of the updates (I think the Ventura update). I should not have updated in hindsight.

It happens even when memory pressure is in the green.

Makes the laptop extremely frustrating to use.

My 2020 M1 Air does not have this issue.

I have same issue with my M1 Pro MBP 16. The worst thing is that my job is related to audio production, and this stutter affects everything - from Logic Pro to Youtube videos both via external monitors, wired headphones or internal speakers.

The only solution for me is to restart Macbook, and the issue goes away for a day or two. But that's not something I expect from a 3500 USD machine. ****, it should not be an issue even with a cheap 500 USD laptop. No software updates have ever fixed that.

Me too and it drives me absolutely crazy. I can't work without music, and due to this I am forced to wear my cans all day (which thankfully have their own dongle).

From what I am reading I think the issue is clearly when people are using mouse, keyboard, and speaker/headset via bluetooth.

It seems like its the combo two or more devices (when one of those devices is BT Audio) causes it.

Using the command: "sudo pkill bluetoothd" does provide some relief but not entirely, it always comes back.

I switched back to using both dongles for mouse and keyboard but I have so many usb devices that causes other issues. I read someone to turn off the airplay receiver in the settings, I did that and it didnt help. Since others have had hardware replaced and it didn't fix it, its clearly a software issue Apple needs to fix at a driver level or in the bluetoothd process.

I am using a MBP 14 2021 M1 Max 32GB Ram on 13.3, totally unacceptable.

Having dongles/USB hubs sticking out is incredibly frustrating as is, but it gets even worse for me: I figured out having my mouse's dongle plugged in causes my MBP to frequently wake from sleep, drastically reducing standby battery life (I'm talking 10-15% overnight)

How can we get Apple to at least acknowledge the bluetooth issue? I've exhausted all my options, aside from maybe downgrading from Ventura somehow?

I'm incredibly frustrated.

So, I earlier confirmed that the issue occurred with 3 bluetooth devices connected - my wireless mouse, keyboard (both being Mac devices), and my Plantronics bluetooth headset. Without fail, if I attached these 3, the stuttering happened, and also did with several of my bluetooth headsets, including my airpods.

HOWEVER! I have found a bluetooth headset where I can have all 3 connected without stuttering!!! Logitech Zone Wireless, the sound is great, even with the other devices connected. I've been using them for the last month or so, nervous that the stutter would come back, and it hasn't!

Actually with the same config as Xaqos in terms of Apple equipment but with the Audio Technica ATH-M50xBT2, which uses BT v5.0, I get the same issues of intermittent sound so I don't think it's a BT v4.2 specific issue. It would have to be something more generic.

I second the "Shame on Apple" though.

If you are experiencing thin issue, you can fill a bug report via Feedback system on Apple developers.

The form will allow you to describe the issue and upload diagnostics and troubleshooting generated files on your OSX system.

Hi all! I thought I was the only one having issues until I tried searching the web. I had the same issue like everyone else when plugging a BT mouse and airpods or whatever BT headset.

I only noticed this when I was wirelessly connected to my network, for the longest time, I was docked in with an ethernet cable as I trust more with cables than wifi.

I was on the verge of buying another BT dongle but I remembered docking my MBP again and alas! no stuttering. It's frustrating though but at least I get both wired internet and BT audio.

Happening with me too. I'm using a Macbook Air M1, Ventura 13.4. I'm not using any Bluetooth headphones, just a wired, generic-branded one. I play music mostly on YouTube Music, so I'm not sure if it's a streaming issue.

This issue has nothing to do with wireless/wired. I had this problem while using Logic Pro with MBP working from battery and no devices attached at all.

This is probably my last Apple computer ever, since my previous Mac Mini had similar issues, though to a lesser degree.

I have tried two headsets, both have issues when connected via bluetooth, even when they are the only devices connected.

      Jabra Evolve 65:

       Address: 50:C2:ED:4A:71:E1

       Vendor ID: 0x0067

       Product ID: 0x094E

       Battery Level: 100%

       Firmware Version: 2.6.1

       Minor Type: Headset

       RSSI: -36

       Services: 0x800019 < HFP AVRCP A2DP ACL >

SteelSeries Arctis 9X Headset:

       Address: 28:9A:4B:85:49:4B

       Vendor ID: 0x0111

       Product ID: 0x12B1

       Battery Level: 100%

       Firmware Version: 0.0.0

       Minor Type: PortableAudio

       Services: 0x802019 < HFP AVRCP A2DP Braille ACL >

If i use a headset that connects via its own dongle then i get no issues. This issue is getting beyond a joke. Now running on Ventura 13.5 and its still here..

I am also experiencing audio stuttering / popping with my 14" Macbook Pro M1 Pro / 16GB RAM on Ventura 13.5.

I have a Topping MX3s DAC connected via USB to my Dell monitor -> USB Targus USB HUB -> Macbook. Audio stutters and pops from my speakers. A restart sometimes helps.

When I connected the DAC via bluetooth instead of USB it seemed to resolve the issue, not ideal as I would expect a wired connection to be more consistent and stable. I also have a mouse & keyboard both separately connected via Bluetooth but I don't seem to experience the issues anymore even with the MX3s connected as a third device via bluetooth.

I've had this issue since I bought my $4,000 Mac book pro and it's unbelievable that there is no fix. Like, I only have my keyboard connected, Magic Mouse and AirPods... is that too much to ask?

I've had countless nights trying to fix the issue with Apple and they don't even seem to be aware of the problem.

MacBook Pro M1 Max