Airpods flaky bluetooth? where they rushed out?

I've experienced much less skipping since iOS firmware update 10.2.1 which included an Apple Watch update also. I performed a hard reset on AirPods and setup watch as new.

Now, a few hours ago, Apple silently released an AirPods firmware update which is 3.5.1. I have not thoroughly tested it. Updating seems simple cuz there isn't much to do and no action required by user. To check firmware version, WITH AIRPODS IN THE CHARGING CASE AND CONNECTED TO IPHONE, go to settings, general, about, AirPods and the firmware should display 3.5.1. If not, leave AirPods in charging case, connected to the phone, wait a few minutes and recheck.

I may not have steps completely accurate so be patient.

Hopefully this new firmware provides a resolution.

I have experienced skipping as well and am working with AppleCare to resolve the issue. They have been very responsive, with over 35 email exchanges. With that said, I love the AirPods and anxious to move beyond the issue. In effort to help resolve this I will offer my experiences/attempts/configurations to resolve that have not worked so far:

• Using iCloud with Apple Watch, MacBook Pro, iPhone 7+ and iPad.
• Cellular carrier is ATT
• Skipping occurs while on WIFI and cellular.
• Prior to AirPods release, I bought PowerBeats 3 and experienced skipping also and returned units.
• No skipping when connected to MBP or iPad.
• Using Apple Music service subscription (whatever its called). All music is downloaded and I am not streaming when issues occur.
• Performed iPhone Hard Reset, erased iPhone and setup as new, re-paired AirPods and reset network settings all without resolution.
• Apple replaced iPhone 7+ and issue still persist.
• Battery performance was very good (4.5 hours audio) and quick recharging until original iPhone was erased and setup as new. Performance reduced to an hour of phone calling and recharging is slow. Multiple attempts to repair AirPods did not help. Condition improved by 50% when new iPhone was setup and AirPods repaired.
• Intermittent failure to display AirPods battery levels on Apple Watch.

I'm sure we will figure this out shortly.

Greg,

WOW! Turning off my Apple Watch (Series 1) really helped. Keep in mind I’ve been testing this for 2 hours but this is clearly an improvement. Here is the process I followed after reading your post.

• Tested while driving so no Wi-Fi involved
• Turned off Apple Watch. Skipping stopped.
• Turned Apple Watch back on and skipping occurred.

Figured we are on to something. Seems like Apple Watch is struggling with the AirPods or a conflict was created when Apple Watch is connected when pairing so I:

1. Turned off Apple Watch
2. Arrived at home (using Wi-Fi) and removed pairing from my iPhone which cleared pairing on all devises except iPad (Wi-Fi only model).
3. Turned on iPad and removed pairing which I believe was a duplicate which was created during my multiple repairing attempts during the day. This part is a bit sketchy…just pointing out to confirm all parings are removed.
4. Hard reset AirPods by holding down button on charging case for 30 seconds. I realize 15 seconds is recommended but 30 made me feel better.
5. Repaired AirPods to iPhone and turned on music that was not being streamed but using Apple music app. No skipping.
6. Turn on Apple Watch, waited for connection, while listening to Apple Music. No skipping
7. Waited for 10 minutes and turned off iPhone Wi-Fi. Still no skipping.
8. Created CPU load by opening apps and such which produced skipping during the day today…still no skipping.
9. After 2 hours, haven't experienced a skip and battery draw is very low.

This is a short test but encouraging. I will report back in a day or two with more results.

Thanks Greg.

I'm having the same issue with my iPhone 7 Plus (GSM).

Here's what my tests brought up so far:

• I mainly have the audio skipping issue with the Music app (I'm using Apple Music so most of my music is streamed/downloaded on the fly)
• I noticed that the drops are location-dependent. For example, I never have the issue at home or at the office. But I have it very often when I'm at a train station with lots of people around, and indoor LTE antennas (for better coverage)
• If I put the iPhone to airplane mode, then re-enable Wifi and Bluetooth (basically disabling the GSM/LTE radio), I have zero drops. None. Never. This is the case even if I let my Apple Watch (original series) powered on and connected.

My conclusion is that the issue only appears when the LTE radio is transmitting, *and* if there are other interferences going on at the same time (large crowds, and/or indoor LTE repeaters nearby).

My friends owning AirPods have the exact same issues at the exact same locations I do, and are also consistently able to solve them when in airplane mode, then re-enabling Wifi and Bluetooth.

I haven't contacted Apple yet, I have to take the time to do so. But at least I know it's not a hardware issue, as everyone I know who owns AirPods in the area has the exact same issues.

I received a pair for Xmas and the audio drop is awful. I've used them at Golds Gym and the audio drop makes them unusable. Since xmas I have gone when the gym is empty and crowded, no difference. It doesn't matter if I'm streaming audio or listening to music downloaded to my phone. I have restored my phone and no difference. I got another pair two days ago. Same thing! The only place I use headphones is at the gym. Make sure you test them in the environment you plan on using them. Seems strange that the place people frequently use headphones is the place they are unusable. I did like the sound and convenience of them, but will have to return them.

Same here - quite bad at times

I'm working with apple engineering and they have bt logs diagnostic from my phone (iPhone 7 plus) so let's see

They seemed very interested in this issue....

Seems loosely connected to "activity" using the phone touch screen or buttons, or during data activity. It also appears to be much worse when on cellular only as opposed to wifi. I have no idea why AirPods need an iCloud account, but I hope there is t some cloud-based reason for the dropouts

Greg,

Thanks for posting this. If you have correspondence again with them, feel free to let them know I would be happy to join in and share my logs if they want to collect from multiple sources. Just refer them to this thread I suppose and they will be able to contact me. Hope this gets resolved!

I also have the same issue, happens very very often when my phone is not on WIFI and there's data activity going on. I've spoke to AppleCare Sr Advisor several times, I've tried swapping for a new one, same issue. They seems to be pretty clueless about this issue and only suggested I do a factory reset on my iphone.. Definitely will not do that as my other BT devices have been working great. I will be returning it... Seems like a faulty design.

Last night I was pleasantly surprised by an awesome AppleCare agent who called and helped me get set up to assist Apple in tracking this down. In my testing this morning I can easily reproduce the issue when NOT on WiFi. It does appear to happen to me only when on my cellular data. I downloaded the songs to be sure it wasn't slow data. I would notice dropouts almost immediately. Since this doesn't happen when on WiFi and since the songs are downloaded. I imagine it isn't hardware and think this is something Apple can fix with either a software update or a firmware update on the AirPods. I'll be sending my findings back to Apple through the rep who is on this thread. So stay tuned. Don't return these glorious AirPods just yet! 🙂 BTW, for me on WiFi I was unable to get a dropout.

Brad,

I don't think they didn't test them, this can be part of a normal process with new products. You can only fix what gets reported and in limited testing through engineering you only find so many things. Kudos to Apple in my opinion for listening, gathering data, and eventually I believe fixing this issue. To be fair when connected to my WiFi network, I do not experience the issue at all. The AirPods are awesome, if they get this fixed I'll never have to use a cord again!

I returned mine and probably will wait for beats x. Hopefully it will be a better product when it comes to connectivity.

The audio issue when on cellular renders this product almost useless and annoying to use. As Apple was having lots of issues to launch the product I won't be surprised if the tight deadline compromised proper product design and through testing.

I am really impressed with Apple! Yesterday I was contacted by Phil from Apple about this issue. We went over many things in detail and added some certificates on my phone to track the issue and see what's causing it. I always thought Apple didn't look at these forums but I was totally wrong about that. They actually use the forums in detail to track and monitor problems with devices.

After trying to re-create the problem, I am seeing that it does not happen while I'm on WIFI. Don't lose hope, it looks like this issue might be fixed with an update.

It happens far less on wifi, but I've experienced on wifi as well...I received a call from customer relations Friday. They had hoped to have some resolution for me by then, but was told the engineeers needed more time and should expect a call by Wednesday...so let's see...

Been using Powerbeats3 since Thanksgiving. Many hours. Many places. With and without WiFi. At 30,000 feet. Indoors and outdoors. Throughout my apartment with iPhone remaining in random rooms with up to two walls in between. Never a single drop or hiccup.