AirPods Pro 3 stuck connecting to iPhone 16 Pro

Device / versions

• iPhone 16 Pro (256GB, black) — iOS 26.2.1
• iPad — iPadOS 26.2.1
• AirPods Pro 3 firmware: 8B34

Problem

My AirPods Pro 3 are paired to both my iPhone and iPad. If I leave the AirPods in the case for a while, then take them out and put them in my ears, they automatically connect to the iPad, but on the iPhone it looks like they’re constantly trying to connect (loop/spinning/connecting state).

Even if I turn off the iPad and try to use only the iPhone, it still behaves the same way.

I tested the same AirPods on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 11 (both on iOS 26.2.1) and the issue does not happen there. Other Bluetooth devices work fine with my iPhone 16 Pro — this seems specific to AirPods Pro 3 on this phone.

What I tried (still happening)

• Powered off iPad / tried iPhone-only → same issue

• I changed AirPods name → same issue

• Reset AirPods and re-paired them: I paired them with iPhone 16 Pro first then added/connected the iPad afterward → same issue



• Reset Network Settings on iPhone 16 Pro → same issue

Any ideas or confirmed fixes? Especially interested if this is a known iPhone 16 Pro + AirPods Pro 3 bug on 26.2.1 / 8B34.