Airpods codec stuck on SCO via Macbook Pro

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Level 1

51 points

Airpods codec stuck on SCO via Macbook Pro

When using Airpods for the Macbook Pro, the audio codec remains on SCO. Can see this via "option-click" on the Bluetooth menu and choosing the airpods. The Active Codec is SCO.

This drastically reduces audio quality as the bitrate is limited.

I would expect the transmitter (Mac) to adjust the codec depending on the receiver (Airpods). SCO would be normal for phone bluetooth headset, but not for Airpods. However, it seems that the Mac is stuck on SCO codec. I've not been able to try other Bluetooth audio headsets (don't have any others), but it ***** that Airpods are sent a lower codec.

Other devices - iPhone and iPad are okay.

How do I change the codec to use a better codec. Bluetooth Explorer doesn't work.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), iOS 10.2

Posted on Jan 5, 2017 2:08 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

kindamanic

Level 1

9 points

Mar 20, 2017 1:25 AM in response to pac2pac

Here's what I found out after experimenting a little bit.

Switching to SCO now seems like normal behavior whenever the AirPods microphone is used. The MacBook seems to switch the audio codec when the 'headset mode' is activated. It looks like this may happen every time something like Skype (or FaceTime Audio etc.) tries to get access to the mic.

This is what usually helps me: try switching the audio input device from AirPods to Internal Microphone (press the sound icon in status bar -> Sound preferences -> Input -- then select 'Internal Microphone').

Hope this helps.

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Answer 2

Feb 21, 2017 4:15 AM in response to pac2pac

I'm having the same problem, not only with AirPods, but also with my Bang&Olufsen H8 headphones. Reconnecting the device or turning the Bluetooth off and on again usually helps. Sometimes Itunes will start playing with SCO and then switch to AAC (for AirPods) or to AptX (for H8) codec. It seems like the issue is related to Macbook's BT chip bandwidth (or maybe even interference with 2.4 GHz wifi networks?), as I seem to be experiencing this when a lot of Bluetooth devices are connected (like Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard and iPhone in network sharing mode over bluetooth).

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Answer 3

soelu

Level 1

9 points

Mar 20, 2017 1:09 AM in response to pac2pac

I also had the same issue. After rebinding, turning bluetooth off and on and trying to play sound with various applications, the only thing that finally resolved the issue was restarting the macbook completely.

As a side note, after rebinding I had indeed AAC again, but horribly quiet. After some more tries it fell back to SOC again.

I first experienced this issue when listening to music and than starting a call on my iPhone via the MacBook through the continuity feature.

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