AirPods connection issues after iOS 18 Update

Me too. AirPods will turn on when I put them in but the sound wont play through the air pods. Usually a phone restart fixes the issue, but this is a $1,000 phone with $300 ear buds.

Embarrassing for Apple that this is even an issue. Not to mention it’s been going on for at least 2 months now.

Fix. It.

Just today I updated my iPhone to 18.1. Ever since my AirPods stopped charging the left pod. I never had this issue. Nor it’s shown in AirPods settings.

Yep. This morning, after updating to iOS 18 yesterday, they were acting very flakey when trying to listen to Music on my iPhone 12 mini, while I was using my iPad (iPadOS 18) for Zwift. Sometimes they'd just switch back to the iPad arbitrarily, then switch back to the phone but turn off noise cancellation. And it wouldn't stop. I eventually had to switch to Music on the iPad (not my preference for my own reasons.)

I recently updated my phone to iOS 18. As soon as I tried connecting my AirPod Pro 2's to my phone it would not connect. I clicked 'Forget Device'. That was a nightmare. I tried resetting the AirPod's by holding down the button on the back- did not work. I opened the case top and my phone recognized them but 'Connection Failed'. Finally, it connected to my phone but when I was using them they disconnected every 3-5 minutes. Once it disconnected, it would pause my music/video then quickly reconnect to my phone but would not continue to play the music/video. Very frustrating since I've only had them for less than a year and maybe used a handful of times. Hoping there is a new update for these problems soon!

This airpods nonsense is typical of Apple’s commitment to their customers. I won’t be the the first guy to can all Apple products and move to Samsung, but I won’t put up with this **** any longer. It’s like driving a bloody Land Rover!

Like many of you, since updating to iOS 18, my XS Max has similarly been a total nightmare with all things Bluetooth -- it's absolutely maddening. I’ve tried all the usual fixes — restarting, forgetting and re-pairing devices, resetting network settings, and keeping iOS updated to 18.2.1—but nothing has worked long-term. Daily forced restarts seem to be the only fix that eventually allows Bluetooth devices to reconnect.

This isn’t just about AirPods; it’s widespread and affects nearly all of my Bluetooth devices, including the Poly Voyager Focus 2 and Bose QC Ultra. But none are as frustrating as the AirPods Pro 2. I even have two sets, and both are just as bad.

• AirPods Pro 2: Constant disconnections and almost impossible to reconnect.
• Other Devices: Audio dropouts on Poly Voyager Focus 2 and Bose QC Ultra.

Has anyone had any luck with a permanent fix, or is there an updated word from Apple on this?

It seems to be most persistent when the screen enter screen energy save mode on its own. If a podcast i playing, it cuts the sound every time screen wakes up or goes to sleep.

This happens with both airpods pro 2 gen and airpods 2 gen

I can't get my air pods to connect since the new IOS 18 update. NEVER had this issue before. When are you going to fix this . We spend $$$ on this issue (time and energy!). I have tried ALL of the steps you've provided, and nothing has worked.

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Resetting my AirPod pros 2nd gen has yielded nothing. Resetting all iOS system settings improved performance quite a bit over the past couple of months, however the problem still occurs. And it is a pain in the rear to slowly restore all iOS settings.

I now carry a third party set of earbuds as a backup because the AirPod pros will become sporadically unusable from cutting in and out, pausing whatever is playing.

I experienced this too, but think it’s fixed after “forgetting”/ reconnecting my AirPods Pro 2. (On iPhone pro max 13)

Same issue even with IOS 18.1. The airpods pro 2 are useless at this point. This needs to be fixed by SW/FW ASAP!

This is a major bummer. but after officially updating to 18.1 it seems to have bricked my AirPods Max. Now I don't know what to do! These things are pretty much glued to my head at work

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I’ve had Airpods Pro2 since they were released. I’ve never had any issues like this with them. Now since the latest firmware update they keep randomly disconnecting in the middle of listening to music. I use music to help motivate me when exercising or lifting weights. It’s really distracting.

I had the same issue. Some background, i even gone to Apple Store and they diagnosed that the case is updated with the new firmware but the AirPods isn’t.

They were not able to help but declared my AirPods is dead. I am disappointed as this coincides with the refresh of their new iOS and new firmware. I suspect they have killed many of our AirPods thru the process.

The customer service team was kind to give me a replacement for 140 sgd, we can get a brand new AirPods for 199 here. This rub salt to the wound for me.

just real disappointed about this outcome, and especially I feel the AirPods didn’t work after iOS release and diagnosis pointed towards my AirPods and case having different firmware

Same problem here, whenever I hit the gym or go for a run it is disconnecting every 3-5 minutes... Horrible experience since 3-4 weeks..

iOS 17.1.1 (iPhone 13 PRO)

Version AirPods 7B21, CASE 71.8.0 (APP2, USB-C)

None of theses problems occur with my Mac (MACOS 15.1.1)

MUST fix it QUICKLY, APPLE!