AirPods disconnects on calls

I am on 10.3.2 with an iPhone 7 Plus and the latest firmware on my AirPods and the issue still exists. However, I also have a Series 2 Watch with 3.2.2 on that as well. The issue is no better today than it was 3 months ago. Very disappointed in the connectivity issues.

iPhone 7 Plus with iOS 10.3.1, watch series 2 with whatever the latest Apple Watch OS and AirPods firmware are has my issue completely resolved.

If you have these updates and still have issues bring it to Apple and demand a replacement. AirPods firmware can be checked from the phone's settings > general > about screen. When they are connected there will be an AirPods menu at the bottom of the about screen.

iPhone 6s Plus

iOS 10.2

AirPods 3.5.1

Apple Watch Series 0

Carrier: Verizon

For those still dealing with this issue and still on iOS 10.2 for whatever reason, this is what I've found to work the best for me. I still get drops in connectivity but less often. I was plagued before with dropped connectivity.

Least drops with connectivity combination for me:

Wifi = off

Both pods in ear

Siri double tap = off

Ear detection = on

Microphone = automatic

Apple Watch in airplane mode.

I use that combo and periodically reset my network settings once a week. I'm usually on long phone calls for at least 1-2 hours every weekday. This has worked best for me. Still occasionally lose connectivity but the AirPods can usually connect back on their own quickly.

Hope this helps some people.

That doen not sound as a "solution". Who wants to put off wifi and set the Apple Watch on airplane mode, seriously ? You would have 2 devices with limited functionalty instead of one !Unfortunately a much easier way is to start using your wired EarPods have your Apple watch working as it should and WIFI on !

I do see your point @maxrobert. I honestly only have the phone calls with my wife and rest of my phone communication is through text. I have unlimited data so wifi off isn't a big issue. And I just turn airplane mode on when I know it's about that time for the long phone call. Everything goes back on after I finish. Watch back to being connected and wifi if I need it.

I Do hope Apple is able to resolve this problem. It's really frustrating to pay such a price for functionalities that are only partly fullfilled. The AirPods work perfectly well for iTunes , but that's more or less it as you cannot rely on the connectivity for phone calls

maxrobert wrote:

I Do hope Apple is able to resolve this problem. It's really frustrating to pay such a price for functionalities that are only partly fullfilled. The AirPods work perfectly well for iTunes , but that's more or less it as you cannot rely on the connectivity for phone calls

What version of iOS/watchOS/AirPods firmware are you running? If you're on 10.3.1/3.2/3.5.1 and you are still having issues, then that's worth looking into. If you're running an older version of iOS/watchOS/AirPods, please update before posting further, since that combination of updates seems to have fixed the issue for most people.

iphone 6s plus, 10.3.1, same issue. disconnect calls even using single airpods and mic assigned to one side (left) tried resetting connection and long press the button behind the dental floss. Consulting apple support and waiting for outcomes.

Very repeatable problem for me on iPhone 7: as soon as I make a call, the Airpod audio drops. When I cancel the call, the Airpod audio resumes. The only workaround I have at the moment is to take the Airpods out of my ears before answering a phone call.

egarcerant wrote:

I found a hack that makes it work. Just have someone call you and answer the call while using your AirPods. That somehow "unclogs" the problem and then you can place calls normally. Hope this works.

Not for me - if I answer a call with the AirPods connected, I get no audio at all; similarly if I try to make a call, I get no audio. This is in spite of the AirPods working with every single other app on the iPhone!

No amount of toggling the audio selection between iPhone and AirPods fixes it. Only Solution so far is to hard reboot my iPhone 7 (hold Power and Volume Down buttons until you see the Apple logo). When it comes back, I can use my AirPods with the phone app.... until the next time this occurs.

You're welcome! With time I have found another trick. When I'm about to make a call, I put both of them on, and then play any song for a couple seconds. Once I see that the sound is OK, I make the call.

Same problem here with iPhone 7 plus.

I've been through THREE (3) pairs of Airpods and all exhibit the same issue.

I've also replaced my iPhone 7 plus with another one ... same problem, although seems to be slightly improved.

This is VERY frustrating. Works PERFECT on music and podcasts though. 😟

My AirPods disconnect while playing music from Apple Music on iPhone 6s. Well, one does, never both at the same time. Sometimes the left AirPod, sometimes the right. Sometimes the AirPods are error free for a week. Sometimes I will loose connection two times per day or more for several days in a row.

If you do not have the case with you, no amount of fiddling will fix things. The only fix is to place both AirPods back in the case after stopping the music. Then taking the offending AirPod out first, then the other. Restart the music. Sometimes this works on the first try, sometimes it takes several tries.

When I go for a walk, I like to travel light. Having to always take the somewhat bulky charging case, even for a short one hour walk means one less other thing I can take. For bike ridding, my shorts do not even have pockets and stuff is contained in an armband - no room for the charging case.

I have other Bluetooth headsets, such as the Plantronics Backbeats and in-ear Beats, but they cut out too much ambient noise (traffic, etc.) to be safe while bike riding. The AirPods let just enough of the outside world in - but this issue with disconnecting makes things frustrating, when it should not be.

Same here. Come on Apple, these are all your devices.

I have also noticed that if you are listing to music on the Apple Watch and get a phone call the AirPods will disconnect if you mute the ring (put your hand over the watch).

I have noticed sever issues related to all these devices interacting with each other. Its like they are all different departments and no one tests each other stuff.

Apple is quick to add features and devices, but testing and updating defects have slowed way down. Its like once they have your money, they don't care.

Thanks for the tip! I just deleted my tile app and my AirPods seem to be staying connected during calls now. Must be an issue with too many Bluetooth devices as you suggested. I had four tiles in range at the time. Now how the heck am I going to find my tiles??????????