AirPods connection issues after iOS 18 Update

So far, what seems to help is allowing extra seconds for the connection to take place. I will open the AirPod case, wait for the pic to appear and then wait for the pic to animate. Then I take the earbuds out of the case and again wait for the pic to change. Then, I place the earbuds in my ears and that usually works. If I try to go faster than that (like I used to be able to), then I only get to play music while all other Siri/AirPod functions are not available. If I wait like described, then I get full functionality most every time.

iPhone 12

iOS 18.1.1

AirPod Pro

For those that don't find disabling Vocal Shortcuts to resolve this issue (until the bug is fixed), try disabling Sound Recognition in Settings > Accessibility > (Hearing) > Sound Recognition

When I dd this, my various AirPods stopped pausing/stopping audio playback after any other sound was played on my iPhone (including the top-of-the-hour chime). This bug was introduced as early as iOS 18.0.

Same issue here. With an iphone 16, and ios 18.5 airpods can switch to my mac os and ipad fine, but constantly has issues switching to the iphone. My only resolution is rebooting the phone.

What's weird is it shows it is paired (with the icon coming up on the bottom), but the audio never works

I was having problems with AirPods not working with Siri and dictation and it started after iOS 18 update. After I turned off Personalized Spatial Audio in Settings, it fixed the problem. iPhone Settings/AirPod Pro/Personalized Spatial Audio and then deselect Personalized Spatial Audio that is highlighted.

It sounds like users are experiencing connection issues with your AirPods after the iOS 18 update, which seems to be a common problem for many users. Can't write whole tutorial steps but here is the title of each solution from the guide.

1) Restart Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

2) Disable Automatic Switching Between Devices

3) Turn Bluetooth on and off

4) Disable Vocal Shortcuts in Accessibility

5) Pair Your AirPods Again with your Device

6) Disable Automatic Ear Detection

7) Reset Your iOS Device’s Network Settings

8) Update Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

9) Update the Firmware on Your AirPods

10) Reset Airpods.

[Edited by Moderator]

Thanks a lot such a relief 🥲. Turning off the vocal shortcuts solved the issue for me. Even my car play music issue got sorted with this.

thanks a lot

I am so glad that I am not the only one with all this going on. VERY similar issues with my Airpods Max. They will only connect to my 16 Pro if I forget them, and hard reset them, to pair them all over again. To have a software update bork this many pairs of headphones is wild, but it seems that they really need to act to solve this matter. Again, none of this was an issue until the latest update which I performed last week. The weird thing is that whatever OS version was on the phone when I picked it up a few weeks ago was just fine. Think I am going to turn off auto updates going forward, and when this stabilizes, leave it there until the bugs are worked out in successive updates. Spoke with support today and they are aware something is amiss, and it isn't hardware, but they did not tip their hat towards any particular update, so I suppose we must all tread water until then. Wasting your time if you take them in for "repairs" now, as the fix is on them to issue an update. Might be a good time to dig out that lightning/USB-C to 3.5mm cord that does not come in the box *insert upside down smiley face here*

GOOD NEWS! After three months, the issue has been resolved as of yesterday with new iOS 18.2.1

Here is solution, helped me!

Disabling Vocal Shortcuts fixing this bug

bug in ios 18 in apple music - Apple Community

I experienced this too, but think it’s fixed after “forgetting”/ reconnecting my AirPods Pro 2. (On iPhone pro max 13)

Same as you, my AirPods failed to connect lots of times, and it always happened when I have an important call

Solving the issue is disconnecting the BT for a minute or two

I complained to Apple, but no feedback

AirPods may have a nice sound, but it is bad and not recommended :)

I had the same issue. Some background, i even gone to Apple Store and they diagnosed that the case is updated with the new firmware but the AirPods isn’t.

They were not able to help but declared my AirPods is dead. I am disappointed as this coincides with the refresh of their new iOS and new firmware. I suspect they have killed many of our AirPods thru the process.

The customer service team was kind to give me a replacement for 140 sgd, we can get a brand new AirPods for 199 here. This rub salt to the wound for me.

just real disappointed about this outcome, and especially I feel the AirPods didn’t work after iOS release and diagnosis pointed towards my AirPods and case having different firmware

Bought some soundcore earbuds to see if the issue affects them too. One glitch in the first 5 minutes of use, otherwise ok for several days.

As for the AirPods, I did an iPhone Settings reset of everything. Painful experience to go through but I’ve gone 7 days without the AirPods flipping out. Time will tell.

Fix that problem, go to setting- accessibility-vocal shortcuts- turn off vocal shortcuts

Restarting iphone, forgetting beats pros and reconnecting bests pros will TEMPORARILY fix the problem. Try using them the next day and same problem recurs. Apple F’d this up w ios 18