Audio Message Bug on iOS 26 – Keeps Playing on Loop Through AirPods Until Restart

Hi everyone,

I’m experiencing a serious and extremely frustrating bug on my iPhone 17 Pro Max running iOS 26 with AirPods Pro 2nd Generation.

Whenever I receive a text message (via Apple Messages) that includes an audio file (like an .m4a or a voice memo), the file automatically starts playing through my AirPods — and then loops endlessly. There is no way to stop the playback, not even by force-quitting the Messages app, disconnecting Bluetooth, or switching audio outputs. The only way to stop the audio is to completely restart the iPhone.

🔁 What I’ve tried:

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• Force closing Messages ❌
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• Disconnecting AirPods ❌
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• Playing audio in another app ✅ (sometimes interrupts it)
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• Asking Siri to “Stop audio” ✅ (only works sometimes)
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• Resetting network/Bluetooth settings ❌
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• Ensured latest iOS and firmware ✅
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Nothing solves the problem reliably.

🔎 Details:

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• iPhone 17 Pro Max
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• iOS 26 (latest)
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• AirPods Pro 2nd Gen
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• Messages app (iMessage/SMS)
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• Audio file type: .m4a or recorded voice memo
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