How to fix AirPods disconnecting from iPhone: Checklist of 13 fixes

Imagine that your AirPods keep disconnecting while talking on an important call, and then you end up apologizing for the mistakes you're making. As cool as AirPods are, they’re not perfect. Check out the woes that other people share, and you’ll see that you’re not alone. So, yes, I feel your frustration. Like you, I had my fair share of issues with AirPods. But I’ve figured out how to reconnect them. More importantly, I know how to prevent them from disconnecting. In this guide, I’ll share what I found. 

Quick checklist to fix disconnecting AirPods

Be sure to try each of these methods until your AirPods connect again:

• Disconnect & reconnect your AirPods.
• Check for software updates.
• Update AirPods firmware.
• Check battery level
• Check Bluetooth settings.
• Check audio device settings.
• Deactivate automatic switching.
• Reset AirPods settings.
• Use one of the AirPods pair.
• Clean your AirPods.
• Turn off Automatic Ear Detection.
• Turn off Wi-Fi on the iPhone.
• Check for sources of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth interference.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting?

Unless you get Apple’s technical support to check on your AirPods, you won’t know for sure. However, chances are, they got disconnected for these reasons:

• Bad signal quality. AirPods work just like any Bluetooth headphones. You might be disconnected if there is interference or a drastic signal issue.
• Faulty hardware.  Like all gadgets, AirPods aren’t immune to hardware problems.
• Low battery. If your AirPods have a low battery, they may be unable to sustain the connection. Read the article on how to check the battery on AirPods.
• Outdated software. Also, the underlying iOS or the AirPods firmware, which has not been updated in the ages, can sometimes be the culprit.

No matter why, don’t get too worried if your AirPods won't stay connected. Often, a quick fix will get them working again. 

How to fix AirPods that disconnect from an iPhone 

Before sending your AirPods for repair or buying a new pair, try the steps below. Who knows, they might save you precious time and money. 

1. Disconnect and reconnect your AirPods 

I know this sounds too easy to be true, but sometimes, it’s as simple as switching your AirPods off and on. Yes, it’s that simple. To do so, place your AirPods in their case and close the lid. Wait 15 seconds, then remove them and pair them back together.

2. Check and update software

Outdated iOS and apps might cause system glitches, which disrupt AirPods connection. To rule out this, make sure that you’ve updated all your apps and iOS. First, go to Settings > General > Software Update to see if you’re using the latest iOS. Otherwise, install the update.

Then, get all your apps updated. To do that:

1. Open App Store. 
2. Tap your profile at the top of the screen. You’ll then see if there are pending updates for apps installed on your iPhone. 
3. Then, tap Update All to update all apps. 

You can also choose to update only certain apps if you want to. But if you want a better way to manage your iOS apps, try AnyTrans for iOS. It’s a powerful file manager that runs on Mac. With AnyTrans for iOS, you can download and update apps in batches on multiple iPhones. Just connect your iPhone to your Mac and open AnyTrans. From the Device Manager tab, click Apps, where you can manage all your iPhone apps:

3. Update AirPods firmware 

Updating iOS might, or may not solve the problem. And that’s due to the fact that you’ll still need to confirm whether or not your AirPods firmware has also been updated to the latest version. Otherwise, they could be incompatible, resulting in the loss of audio. 

To know if your AirPods firmware is up-to-date, follow these steps:

1. Connect your AirPods to iPhone.
2. Tap Settings > General > About > AirPods.
3. Compare the firmware version to the latest release on Apple’s support page. 

If both versions differ, your AirPods’ firmware is outdated. Thankfully, the fix is quite simple. Just place the AirPods in the charging case, connect them to your phone, and make sure you have access to the internet. Then, wait about 30 minutes for the AirPods to download and install the latest firmware.

Read also: How many AirPods generations are there

4. Check battery level

Battery, or the lack of it, can cause AirPods to randomly disconnect. If the battery is low, your earbuds may struggle to maintain a consistent connection. The easiest way to see the battery life of your AirPods is to put them in the case and hold it near your iPhone. Once you are on the homepage, it will show the battery indicator; in case of a low level, make sure you charge your AirPods. You can find out more ways to check AirPods battery here.

5. Check Bluetooth

AirPods run on Bluetooth, so if it’s enabled on your iPhone, the AirPods will not connect. For a quick and instant check, open the Control Centre and enable Bluetooth if it is not readily enabled.

Connecting to a number of Bluetooth devices, too, can make the AirPods function in a funky manner. If so, disconnect other devices (like the Apple Watch) and connect just the AirPods. While this doesn’t truly fix the underlying issue, you’ll at least be able to use the AirPods without interruption — for a while.

6. Check audio device settings

Do you have a habit of playing audio on an external speaker? If so, make sure you’ve switched back to the AirPods as the preferred audio output. Otherwise, your iPhone will automatically connect to a wireless speaker instead of the AirPods. 

Here’s how to get AirPods to play audio at all times: if you’re playing music, tap the AirPlay icon and choose AirPods. Similarly, if you’re on call, tap the speaker icon and switch to AirPods. 

7. Deactivate automatic switching

By default, your AirPods can automatically switch between Apple devices to which they were previously connected. Let’s say you’re taking a call with your AirPods from the iPhone. But when you’re within the Bluetooth range of your Mac, the AirPods might connect to it. 

But worry not. A quick adjustment to the AirPods settings can prevent this behavior.

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Tap on your AirPods > Forget this device.
3. Then, tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods.
4. Tap Connect to This iPhone > When Last Connected to This iPhone. 

Do the same on your Mac and other Apple devices that automatically connect to the AirPods. 

8. Reset AirPods settings

Most of the time, you should be able to get your AirPods working again without resorting to this step. But sometimes, you need to restore them to their factory setting. In other words, you start anew with AirPods like you just bought them from the store.

To do that:

1. Place the AirPods into the charging case.
2. Close the lid and press the Status button.
3. Wait until the indicator changes color to ambler and white. 

Try connecting your AirPods again. If one or both AirPods were previously troubled by internal glitches, they should be working by now. 

9. Use just one AirPod

It remains a mystery. But sometimes, using only one of the AirPods can solve the disconnect problem. You need to play either the right or the left AirPod back to the case and listen to the remaining one. Granted, this doesn’t offer the best experience, especially if you’re listening to music. 

10. Clean your AirPods

When you’re asking questions like “Why does my right AirPod keep disconnecting?” a common suspect is dirt. If one of your AirPods charging pads is covered by dirt or grime, it might fail to charge. In that case, only one AirPod can function. The other one? Totally cut off from the audio signal because of a flat battery. Although the fix is simple, be gentle when cleaning the AirPods. Use a slightly dampened cloth, and be mindful not to scratch them. 

11. Turn off Automatic Ear Detection

Did you know that the iPhone can detect if you’ve put on an AirPod and start channeling audio through it? Yes, that’s one of Apple’s brilliant innovations that makes AirPods so cool. But it can also cause unintended disruption.

You see, if you fiddle with AirPods while listening through them, your iPhone might think you’ve removed them and cut off audio. And that causes a brief interruption until it reconnects. To prevent small pockets of audio disruption, you can turn automatic ear detection off. Here’s how:

1. Make sure your AirPods are connected to your device.
2. Open Settings > Bluetooth 
3. Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods.
4. Then, turn off Automatic Ear Detection.

Now, your AirPods will remain connected whether you’re wearing them or not. 

12. Turn off Wi-Fi on iPhone

This may sound technical. The Bluetooth band that AirPods use to connect to your phone occupies the same 2.4 GHz band as Wi-Fi. Well, it’s quite possible that your iPhone’s Wi-Fi signal is interfering with the AirPods connection.

If you suspect your phone’s Wi-Fi could be a culprit, turn it off and see if the AirPods perform better. You could also change to a 5GHz channel on your Wi-Fi network to reduce interference. 

If you’re not sure you’re connected to a 2.4 GHz band, utilities like WiFi Explorer will let you know. Doing so not only tells you the Wi-Fi frequency you’re using but also helps you identify other strong Wi-Fi signals that might conflict with your AirPods.

Alternatively, you can try Netspot. This cool app lets you quickly perform a live scan to get to issues disturbing your AirPods.

13. Check for sources of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth interference

Your iPhone’s Wi-Fi isn’t the only potential source of interference. If you're using your AirPods near other devices that operate at similar or high frequencies, your audio might drop. For example, Wi-Fi cameras, microwave ovens, and cordless phones are known to interfere with Bluetooth signals. 

You can also check out the main AirPods connection issues and how to fix them.

Why do AirPods keep disconnecting? (Solved) 

Whether it’s low battery, outdated firmware, or other reasons, I hope you’ve got your AirPods up and running again. Otherwise, reach out to Apple Support for professional help. But before you do that, give the checklist another shot in case you’ve missed some steps. Also, these apps can help you troubleshoot your AirPods connection if they decide to act up again next time.

• AnyTrans for iOS lets you automatically update apps on your iPhone. 
• Batteries monitors AirPods and other Apple devices from your Mac.
• WiFi Explorer and Netspot analyze nearby WIFI networks for possible interference. 

You can download these apps, along with 250+ others, on Setapp. Try them 7 days for free now.