Bluetooth pairing issue with AirPods after iOS 18.6.2 update on iPhone 15

My AirPods Pro work just fine with my iPhone 16 Pro Max and iOS 18.6.2. See this support document from Apple, reset your AirPods, then pair them again. How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro - Apple Support

I’m have the same issue with AirPods 2 gen and my iPhone 14 Prox Max. The only solution is to restart the phone. It’s boring..

Hmmm turns out I’m too hasty and blamey here. It’s an issue with the earbuds not iOS 18.6.2

I've noticed after the 18.6.2 update on my iphone 15 pro max my airpods stop connecting. I restarted my phone with no success. I deleted the airpods from Bluetooth, restarted the phone and was able to add them. Now they show they are connected but audio plays from the phone and not the airpods. The airpods connection screen well pop up when I open the ipod case but does not play sound through them

Sooner or later, you are going to need to get with Apple Support.

Support

Just an update. Everything went back to normal with my Bluetooth and my AirPod Pro two once I downloaded iOS 26. I have an iPhone 15 Pro Max and was having really bad issues with the Bluetooth connection not just with AirPods, but with Bluetooth in general, once I downloaded 18.6.2. So far I have not noticed any other bugs in iOS 26. The liquid glass is a nice touch.

Maybe you could provide a link to the video so we don't waste your time by asking you to do things that you have already done.

Yep I have issues too. A pair of earbuds that pair individually are no longer seen as a stereo pair by iOS only one works at a time. Apple have broken something.