Given that Apple has sold millions of AirPods based on their “seamless” compatibility with other Apple products, it’s really frustrating when your AirPods just keep disconnecting from your Mac. The premium price you spent to stay within Apple’s ecosystem seems to all go to waste, especially when it happens during a crucial meeting. Luckily, there are easy fixes for the AirPods that keep disconnecting from Mac. This article discusses the tried-and-true fixes you can try. Here’s what to do.
Charge Your AirPods
There’s a reason why your AirPods alert you when your battery gets to 20, 10, and 5 percent. Low battery life limits AirPods’ efficiency and also causes connectivity issues. If your AirPods keep disconnecting from your Mac, the first thing you should do is check their battery life. Here’s how: This method is for newer macOS versions – that is, macOS Big Sur or later. However, if you have an older version, you’ll have to select the AirPods and click “Connect” to see the battery info. If that’s the case, you can: Always check if both AirPods are charging because only one AirPod charging is another problem many users face. If your AirPods keep disconnecting even with enough battery, it’s time to try another trick.
Restart Your Mac
When you restart your Mac or any computer, for that matter, you return it to its initial state. The initial state here simply means the machine’s condition before it began processing conflicting instructions, programs, and applications. You’re essentially giving your Mac a fresh start. Now, the keyword here is restarting. There are a couple of ways to restart your Mac. Here are two surefire techniques you can use if your AirPods disconnect from your Mac.
Warm booting
Warm booting allows you to save any work you’ve started beforehand. It will also automatically re-open the apps that you want after the restart. Here’s how to warm re-boot your Mac:
Cold booting
Cold booting refers to the forced restart of your device. It means that your Mac won’t save any unsaved progress of your work – if there’s any. Here’s how to do the cold re-boot:
Reset the AirPods
Simply resetting your AirPods will return them to their factory settings. Here’s how to reset your AirPods: If your AirPods still don’t reset after following these techniques, they’re not resetting correctly. In that case, read our guide on what to do if AirPods won’t reset.
Disable Automatic In-Ear Detection
Usually, this cool feature helps the AirPods know when you insert them into your ears to activate the auto play/pause. When your AirPods’ sensor blocks, then your AirPods won’t stay connected to Mac. You may encounter this a lot with the AirPods Pro as it uses an optical sensor instead of the skin detection sensor in the 3rd gen. If you suspect that this is the cause, here’s how you can switch off AirPods’ in-ear detection on your Mac:
Disable Automatic Switching
AirPods can automatically switch between iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV that use the same Apple ID. This feature allows you to quickly switch between devices without re-connecting your AirPods. For example, when listening to music on your iPhone, you can quickly answer a Facetime call on your Macbook and return to the music afterward. Though it’s a pretty helpful feature, some users find it frustrating. For example, you can unintentionally switch devices you’re using just by flipping open your AirPods case, and whoosh – your AirPods drop connection. Automatic switching may be why your Airpods keep disconnecting from your Mac. Here’s how to turn this feature off:
Clean Your AirPods
Dirt is another reason why your AirPods keep disconnecting from your Mac. Yes, dirty AirPods aren’t just an aesthetic problem. Debris on the metal band at the bottom of your AirPods can keep it from connecting to the charging case – causing them to run out of battery. In addition, extreme dirt build-up can cause Bluetooth interference, leading to your AirPods dropping connection. If your AirPods have been collecting a lot of debris, you should try cleaning them. Here’s how to do so:
Update MacOS to the Latest Version
Apple performs some background updates for you, but if your AirPods keep disconnecting from your Mac, you must try a manual macOS update. After that, you can update your macOS. Here’s what you should do: Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that you’ll always find software updates. When this happens, use the search feature to find Software Update, or open the App Store from your Dock and click Updates Tab to find newer macOS versions.
Update AirPods’ Firmware
Ignoring the bugs and glitches in outdated firmware can be why your AirPods are dropping connection. After all, there’s a reason Apple updates them. That said, the best way out is to update your firmware. These firmware update settings are automatic, but sometimes, they aren’t. In this case, it means you have to update them manually. Here’s how to do that:
Reset Your Mac’s Bluetooth Module
This technique should be your last resort, as resetting your Bluetooth module will disconnect any Bluetooth devices connected to your Mac. That is, no Bluetooth-connected keyboard or mouse. That said, there are a couple of ways you can reset your Mac’s Bluetooth module. Here’s a step-by-step guide for each technique:
MacOS Big Sur or earlier
The reset Bluetooth module is readily available through the macOS user interface for macOS Big Sur or earlier. Simply do this:
MacOS Monterey or later
You can’t use the method for Monterey or later since Apple removed it from the user interface. Fortunately, there’s a workaround that’s a bit more technical, but it gets the work done. Here’s how:
If Nothing Works, Contact Apple Support
By this time, if your AirPods just keep disconnecting from your Mac, you can be sure it’s a hardware issue. In this case, you can contact Apple Support for replacement. Simply visit Apple’s support website for more information on how Apple can help you fix your disconnection issue for your Mac. But there’s a condition: Your AppleCare warranty has to be active. In addition, you still have to be within a year of your AirPods warranty coverage unless you have the AppleCare+. With AppleCare+, you get extended service coverage with perks like free battery service and 24/7 priority access to Apple experts.
Conclusion
If you got to use your AirPods for a while, you’d find that Apple delivers on its promise of a great listening experience through the AirPods. But it all goes away if your AirPods keep disconnecting from your Mac. Thankfully, you’ve learned the most effective tricks to fix this connectivity issue. Now, you can enjoy a seamless listening experience without hearing the disconnection beep now and then. What do you think of our tips on fixing AirPods that keep disconnecting from your Mac? Think we missed any techniques? Let us know in the comments.
