AirPods not connecting to iPhone after updating to iOS 17

So here is an important piece of information: https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/xr2txe/apple_told_me_airpods_wont_work_if_im_using_a_vpn/

I was having a daily problem of having to reconnect to my AirPod Max since the iOS 17 update that came with a firmware update for my AirPods. Talked with Apple, removed all my VPN profiles off my iPhone and restarted it. AirPods connected right away. There may be other issues, but this seemed to work for me. They suggested I contact my VPN provider and make sure they are not managing your Bluetooth. Also can affect any Bluetooth device apparently. Apple is investigating.

Hi

I had this same exact problem of airpods stopping pairing after upgrading to iOS 17 - and thanks to this forum, at least I knew it was a global issue. That was helpful.

I just got off a chat with Apple Support and my airpods finally pair again!!

The steps that worked were in this order only (I had tried most of the steps separately with no luck, but this order seemed to do it):

1) Go to "Find My" and click "Remove this Device" for your airpods;

2) Go to your blue tooth settings and click on your airpods and click "Forget this Device";

3) Plug airpods in to charging cable (no idea if this is relevant but it's what I did);

4) Press and hold button on back of airpod case until green light goes off;

5) press and hold button on back of airpod case until green light comes on

After all of that, the airpods miraculously paired to my iphone again and they seem to continue to do so (I've disconnected and reconnected a few times and it still works).

I will admit I feared doing "forget this device" because someone posted in this forum that after doing that, their iphone wouldn't recognize their airpods at all. The above steps took a few moments to kick in - I actually did not think it had worked but then all of a sudden it did. My iphone found the airpods again and this time, when I put one in my ear, I heard the chime and they connected.

I hope this might be helpful to everyone else going through this annoying issue!!!

Thanks!

Nice!

A little update to my AirPod connectivity issue. When I opened my case yesterday to check the charge level, my phone showed everything was charged to 100%. I put them in my ears and nothing happened. That’s when they quit connecting. I tried every possible option to reconnect including removing them from Bluetooth and starting over and nothing worked. I put them back in the case and plugged them in as well as my phone. Restarted everything and the phone eventually recognized the AirPods. When it did it showed the AirPods and case as having dead batteries. They have never had dead batteries other than when I’m using them. After a couple of minutes of charging they suddenly were over 50% charged so I think there is an issue with the new update recognizing charge status and inadvertently thinking the batteries are dead so the phone will not connect. Now, I’m not saying things are fixed because I have yet to actually try to use the AirPods BUT at least the phone did finally recognize and reconnect with them.

I have just spent 20minutes messaging with Apple Support and my AirPods are now fixed! I did the reset however it took 20 seconds for the amber light to come on before the white light instead of 15 like the instructions say. Try doing the reset and see if that works?

It’s been confirmed that it is a software bug issue. I was told, when I called Apple, that they are aware of the issue and are working on fixing it with the next few software updates. Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later.

I just corrected the problem by updating my phone to IOS 17.3. I unlinked the AirPods and re-linked them and the whole problem was resolved. I hope it works for you, this new update has an update for all Apple devices

I have the same problem as well but found a solution. Try deleting your AirPods then restarting your iPhone and charging your AirPods. Next go to Bluetooth On your iPhone, take your AirPods off the charger and open the top and just wait for your iPhone to connect on Bluetooth. If that does not connect leave the top open and press the button on the back of your AirPods. It worked for me to just open the top and wait for the Bluetooth to recognize.

I have been having trouble connecting AirPods Pro to my iPhone 15. The workaround I have discovered is - that if the Bluetooth connection is not successful - open settings - Bluetooth and move to Bluetooth slider to off. Then after a few seconds turn it back on - AirPods connect. Hoping for an update to ios soon so this wont be necessary

Well, I know that you don't want to forget airpods everytime, if you are toggling bluetooth on and off from control centre from the top, you should alternatively do it from settings instead, make sure airpods firmware is also updated to latest. if nothing works a final solution would be to completely reset your airpods.

Apply solutions from this guide too: Fix AirPods not connecting to iPhone after Updating to iOS 17

iPhone update. I have an 11 and I just received 17.0.2. The firmware on my AirPods are already up-to-date at 6A300.

I just updated my phone and so far, everything is working.

Have you already tried updating your AirPods?

The update applies to all devices. That worked for me

I chatted with apple support and they had me do this. it fixed it for a bit, but not permanently How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro - Apple Support.

I still have to reconnect them sometimes but it seems to work more reliably than not. I wouldnt call this a full fix, but might be worth trying for you.

I find that after this I still the the connect card asking me to pair, but if i put the airpods in my ear before I hit the connect button they generally seem to work.

Don’t know what the actual solution is but this is what seemed to work for me.

This happened to me back in September. I updated my iPhone 13 Pro and suddenly my AirPods Pro quit working. I tried every solution Apple had and nothing worked so as a last resort I did what everyone else does and did the “Forget This Device “. Before I did the update my phone said my AirPods were fully charged and after the update it said they were dead. That’s when they quit connecting. After about an hour of trying to reconnect I gave up and plugged the phone and AirPods in and left them to charge. After about an hour the eventually reconnected and miraculously the AirPods had a full charge. My AirPods batteries are never dead so I believe it has something to do with the update recognizing the charge status incorrectly. Make sure you follow the connection steps word for word after everything has a full charge. I hope this helps and I hope it works for you!

Since installing iOS 17 I have had the same problem without fail. But when they apparently connect but don't make any sound, I can put them back in the case, close it, immediately reopen the case and put them in both ears, and then the iPods Pro (1st gen) work as normal.

Here is an update, as I was in early on this discussion... After a week of postings on this board and after I spoke with an Apple rep, I received an update to my iPhone 11 (using 2nd Gen Airpods). After iOS 17.0.2, the pods started working again. I did notice that I couldn't get too far from the phone as before. It did cut out for a second at times, sporadically, but then reconnected. As of the latest update (17.0.3) it's better. From what I'm reading from other sources, I would say this is phone specific. Hopefully, they will send out bug fixes for everyone soon. I agree with other comments that 1st Gen Airpods may get left behind. Apple has had to make a lot of changes to their connectors, etc. to comply with EU regulations. Any tech that doesn't comply will probably become obsolete.