AirPods disconnects on calls

I posted earlier in this thread as I was having the same disconnect issue during calls when using both AirPods, along with the poor audio problems (hissing, static, etc). I had an iPhone 6s and 1st gen Apple Watch.

My contract was up so I upgraded to the 7 Plus yesterday. My Apple Watch is now paired to that phone. I've had several long calls today with both AirPods in....and have experienced no disconnects. I also have not experienced the poor audio issues today either. I'll continue to monitor and report on this thread over the next few days. It's appearing to me that this is an issue with the 6s and not an issue with the AirPods themselves. Hopefully an iOS software patch can fix the issue for everyone using a 6s.

Just to pile on the thread.... 6s. AirPods. Original Apple Watch. Same problems with calls disconnecting to the point it is unusable. Occasional brief audio breakup/crackle on music. If I unpair watch the disconnects go away but will have an occasional music issue. Have swapped with another pair of AirPods and have exact same issues with both.

I replaced my iPhone 6s yesterday with an iPhone 7 which I loaded with the most recent backup from my 6s and paired with my Apple Watch and AirPods.

With the 6s I could not complete a phone call w the AirPods without dropping connection. This was true whether I used one or both AirPods.

With the new iPhone 7 I have not dropped a connection on a call since.

Upshot, IMO this points to a bug of some kind with the iPhone 6s.

I'm seeing the same issues as everyone else. iPhone 6S + AirPods + original Apple Watch Sport. They disconnect on almost every call if I use both L and R. If I use only one, then it is typically fine. Filed a Radar and it got closed as a duplicate. I wish Apple would be more transparent on this issue.

On a side note, I also get the occasional hiccup during music playback. Not a full disconnect, but sometimes they'll "skip" for a second or so. I honestly expect better from such an expensive product.

Edit: my bug report was marked as a duplicate of 29933950. That report is now closed, so it's possible that a fix will be coming soon. Or they just decided that they don't care.

did you try with wifi disabled?

this was reported on MacRumors forums as a "temporary fix".

I've had a problem in the past with an Android phone where bluetooth was having connectivity problem when wifi was enabled... it was fixed with a later update.

I have had absolutely no luck with the wifi disabled and phone calls with 2 AirPods in. Tried this numerous times .... anybody have any experience with this working?

Still this is only with phone calls. I've never had a disconnect with videos or music.

I also have had the same problem since getting my AirPods (early adopter). Long distance calls. Calls are usually over 20 minutes long. Have to reset connection "manually" (the old fashioned way). I have my iPhone 6s Plus running the latest iOS. This has been a consistent issue, happening on every long distance call. When it happens I have found it easiest to just switch to Speaker for the remainder of the call.

I Have been having same issues as everyone else. Had Airpods since Christmas Eve, have 6s plus, AW series 2 calls will drop for no reason, Bluetooth says connection lost call goes to phone speaker I have forgot Airpods and reconnected numerous times still drop calls.

Wasn't this the rumor of the delayed launch where it was rumored that Apple was having issues with keeping both air pods audio synced? I would think that since this is happening primarily with both pods in use during call that the chipset is not managing memory well and goes belly-up trying to handle advanced BT for phone calls and also maintaining sync between the two. Probably can be resolved with software update but does anyone know if the airpods can be flashed to new software if needed? I have a pair on order and will use with iPhone 7 but they will be returned quickly if there are dropping issues with calls.

Glad to know I'm not the only one with an iPhone 6S who's having this issue. I can't get through a call without it disconnecting. Seems like Apple finally acknowledged that this is a problem. So, hopefully, a solution will be coming shortly. I've done all the most common troubleshooting steps (unpairing Watch/Airpods), but refuse to entirely wipe my phone (per an earlier suggestion) in order for these three things to work with one another.

fullfacejosh - Did you try using the AirPods with your restored version of iOS before re-pairing your Apple Watch with your iPhone? And, do you have other Bluetooth devices paired/connected to your iPhone? Last week, I wiped my iPhone too but removed all other Bluetooth devices and have not re-paired my Apple Watch. So far, the AirPods have been working much better than before. There have been a couple of pauses/dropouts during podcasts, but no dropouts so far while talking on the phone (one instance where the audio was garbled and in slow motion).

Been using the Apple Watch under Wi-Fi in this scenario. Not ideal, but workable until Apple fixes this problem. Also running iOS 10.2.1 Beta 4.

I was hoping to not find this issue posted, but I guess a group of incidents may get better results or action from Apple. Here goes...

iPhone 7 Plus 10.2.1 14D27

Sport Watch 3.1.3 14S959

AirPods

Intermittent dropping on phone calls. No issues with music playback.

Quick update on my situation.

I've spent a ton of time with Apple on the disconnect issue both on the phone and in emails detailing my woes. They sent me a brand new pair of Jaybird Freedom's to use while my AirPods are being inspected and I'm currently waiting on the information as to where to send them. I mention the Jaybird's because while they are nice, work properly (they switch automatically between iPhone and iPad depending on which device has audio playing), and wow do they get loud . . . they make me miss my AirPods tremendously. Having to deal with the wired connection between the two buds seems medieval after using the AirPods for just a few weeks. I've mentioned before I'm no audiophile and that the single most important thing for me with the AirPods is the truly wireless nature of them.

I hope Apple gets this worked out soon so I can go back to my AirPods ASAP.

Had talked to Apple support on this 2-3 weeks ago... listening to music, no problem... telephoning, almost instant crashes and no reconnect. They said, they did not know anything about this. Should be a seldom problem.

In a later call, I got the advise to completely reset my phone and use iCloud backup... this improved the situation, now the disconnects are more infrequent and after 1-2 seconds the reconnect is successful.

iPhone 6s plus, AppleWatch1

This really *****. I will wait for you guys to give feedback on 10.3 Beta when it's release and then cancel my order if still happening. Does anyone know if these things have software/firmware that's user upgrade-able?