AirPods call audio distorted with iPhone 17/iOS 26

I have the same issue—went to Apple twice, countless texts and phone calls with Apple, replaced the Airpods, tried Airpods Pro 3, had the iPhone 17 PM replaced... nothing has worked. It MUST be a software issue. Apple is of no help at all. Turning OFF “Voice Isolation” for calls does NOTHING. Metallic, tinny. distortion similar to a blown speaker on VOICE CALLS ONLY. Music plays fine. When connected to my Mac and placing calls—zero distortion. It is iOS 26 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max when using AirPods. I wish I never upgraded and find my AirPods unusable for business calls—which is what I do ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. They worked PERFECTLY with my old iPhone for YEARS. Apple Support = WORTHLESS. 

Turn OFF “Voice Isolation” for calls

”AirPods call audio distorted with iPhone 17/iOS 26: I’m posting here because getting actual support from Apple lately has become nearly impossible. […]Unfortunately, Apple Support chat can’t escalate bugs anymore and always tells you to call in. Calling leads to another hour of troubleshooting loops with no path to actually report this to engineering.[…]”

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Troubleshooting Distorted AirPods:

A. Try a Reset:

Go Here: How to Reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro - Apple Support

B. Why the Sound Issue?

There is interference of sorts.

So, Two Links to Refer to:

• If your AirPods Pro Make Crackling or Static Sounds - Apple Support

• If the Sound from your Wireless Headphones Cuts Out or is Distorted - Apple Support

It is Apple's new A.I. filters—especially bad when calling landlines. It is 100% a software issue, and there is nothing we can do on our end to resolve it. Remember when you could make calls on your iPhone/AirPods without distortion? The good ole' days. Hey—at least we have liquid glass and Memoji cartoon posters for contacts. /s

I’m having the same issues, except I have the 14 Pro Max. It started about a month ago. I have 2 sets of air pods, and I get the same distorted sound from both sets when I’m on the phone. No issues when I’m listing to music.

I went to the Apple Store and they ran diagnostics on my phone and the AirPods and couldn’t find any issues. I rest the AirPods and paired them again and even reset my phone back to factory settings, and nothing has fixed the problem.

this is very frustrating! I hope Apple escalates this issue.

Same issue as you, exactly. Turning off voice isolation or hard reset does nothing. Hoping this gets Apple's attention