Why does my Mac Disconnect my Airpods?

I found this on another thread posted by pacific707 and I think it helped -

Here is how I solved the issue.

1. Hold down Shift+Option and click on the Bluetooth icon in the menubar.

2. An hidden menu is visible called "Debug" in that menu choose "Reset the Bluetooth module".

- a warning will appear asking you to confirm the action. Keep in mind this will disconnect any bluetooth devices. So if your using a desktop with BT keyboard and mouse you may want to have a usb option available. I did it on my MacBook Pro so it wasn't a problem.

3. Restart the computer.

After restart the bluetooth was fine my accessories all connected without issue and most importantly my AirPods are working great now!!

Hi,

Might be corrupted Bluetooth preferences. It can happen ...

Open the Finder. From the Finder menu bar click Go > Go to Folder

Then copy / paste the following:

/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist

Then click Go then move com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file to the Trash.

Restart your Mac and pair your AirPods.

Everyone has a right to their opinion but keep in mind that this thread is a discussion on trying to resolve an issue or understanding why AirPods would disconnect from your Mac for someone who has and uses AirPods.

We are not discussing which products you like better.

1. Hold down Shift+Option and click on the Bluetooth icon in the menubar.

2. An hidden menu is visible called "Debug" in that menu choose "Reset the Bluetooth module".

- a warning will appear asking you to confirm the action. Keep in mind this will disconnect any bluetooth devices. So if your using a desktop with BT keyboard and mouse you may want to have a usb option available. I did it on my MacBook Pro so it wasn't a problem.

3. Restart the computer.

This method worked perfectly for me thank you.

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)

10.12.6 (16G29)

Macbook Pro 2,3 GHz Intel Core i5

Intel HD Graphics 3000 512 MB

Ok so I had the same sounding issue and after trying a few things that people were suggesting, I decided to chat with Apple Support about it.

After your comment about the possibility of the AirPods switching from the Mac to your iPhone if your phone is close by, I asked the support person that exact question and they confirmed that they might do that. The example they used was, it's the same as you having an Apple Watch and the AirPods automatically switching between your watch and your phone.

My mystery is solved, hopefully that clears it up for others.

This does not solve the problem though. Apple boasted that AirPods can be easily used with multiple devices. As we can see, this is not true. My good old JBL mini BT works much better - they are connected to either MacBook or iPhone and don't switch from one to the other.

You were the one who ended your previous post with “it’s not a big deal”. It’s a big deal to have AirPods jump from one device to another to another just because they’re in proximity when the industry standard is that Bluetooth speakers sync to the device you ID and don’t bounce around to any other devices. An example includes the one he replied with.

We’re looking for a solution to the problem. What you proposed is an inconvenient workaround to use a device from a manufacturer that prides itself on convenient, intuitive design.

I tried this multiple times. It did not work for me. Sorry.

IMHO the best solution is not to use AirPods. There are better products on the market. I use JBL Mini BT - works like a charm.

Ok so I just tried your suggestion and it seems to be better although I've moved my computer away from my iPhone so as @joeschepis said it might only happen when my Mac is close to my iPhone. The only difference in my case is that I wasn't connected to my phone before I started using my AirPods with my Mac as in @joeschepis case.

Time will tell if my AirPods stay connected with my Mac as they should do.

So it looks like @joeschepis might be on to something.

As soon as I'm listening to my AirPods on my Mac and I'm close to my iPhone 6s plus the sound drops out on my AirPods at random. 😠

Back to the drawing board.

There's a simple solution to prevent your AirPods from trying to switch from your Mac to your iPhone if your phone is close to your computer while you are listening to something on the Mac. Turn off the Bluetooth on your phone temporarily. If your phone is not close by, you won't have any issues but if you are like me and keep you phone close by you all the time you will have to turn off the Bluetooth. It's really not a big deal.

I did this, but unfortunately it did not help to me.