AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) connection and volume issues with MacBook Air
AirPods Pro 2 (USB‑C) used to work perfectly with my iPhone 15 and a Windows 11 laptop (Honor). They would instantly switch to whatever device started playing audio. After setting up a new MacBook Air, I started having two problems only with the Mac.
- AirPods often do not become an audio output device on the Mac. They show up in Bluetooth and in Find My, but when I try to connect them from macOS, either nothing happens or the Mac keeps using built‑in speakers. Sometimes I cannot select them in Sound → Output at all.
- When they do work with the Mac, the minimum volume is still extremely loud. Even at the lowest macOS volume level, sound in AirPods is much louder than on the iPhone. I have to drastically lower the volume inside each app (YouTube, music player, etc.).
Also, my AirPods seem to be “paired” only with one Apple device at a time. If I connect them to the Mac, the iPhone often asks to forget the device (and vice versa). This never happened with my Windows laptop and iPhone before.
What I have already tried (the issue remains):
– Factory reset of AirPods (status light flashing amber, then white).
– “Forget This Device” on both iPhone and Mac, then set up again starting from iPhone.
– AirPods are visible and working in Find My with my Apple ID.
– Restarted macOS audio and Bluetooth services (coreaudiod and bluetoothd).
– Checked all sound and accessibility settings, balance, mono, etc.
– Created a new user account on the Mac and tested there.
On iPhone 15 the AirPods work correctly with normal volume and stable connection. The problems appear only on the Mac.
Could this be a known bug with macOS and AirPods Pro 2 or an issue with my AirPods firmware? What else can I try, and should I request service or replacement?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: AirPods Pro
AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
