This article explains how you can fix when your AirPods keep disconnecting (and sometimes reconnecting) randomly and frequently from your iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch or Mac. Are you having this problem too? Many users have been reporting problems with their AirPods connectivity where they connect and disconnect again and again, sometimes within seconds. Another common issue is that one (left or right) of the AirPods experiences this problem while the other one works as expected. It seems that both AirPods and AirPods Pro models are affected by this problem.
Hopefully, this article will help you get your AirPods to function properly.
AirPods connection problem
Before we start, please see the following tips first:
- Make sure that Airplane Mode is not enabled (Settings > Airplane Mode). Likewise, make sure that Bluetooth is turned on on the device.
- Restart your device, iPhone, Apple Watch or Mac.
- Make sure that your AirPods are charged and turned on.
- Make sure that your iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Watch or your Mac has the latest version of iOS, watchOS or macOS. If not, you may want to update your device. You can update your iPhone or watch by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Make sure that your device is not too far from your AirPods.
- If you are experiencing this problem with your iPhone 18 Pro, place your AirPods in the case, and close its lid. Wait for 15 seconds. Open the lid. Press and hold the setup button (on the back of the charging case) until the LED status light flashes white. This indicates that your AirPods are ready to connect. Open the case and then follow the onscreen instructions on your iPhone. AirPods 4 or 5, or AirPods Pro 3: Open the case with your AirPods inside, hold it next to your device, then double-tap the front of the AirPods case so the status light flashes white.
If you are still having this issue, you may want to reset your AirPods. Resetting may fix your connection problem. Doing so will reset your AirPods to its factory settings. Here is how you can reset your AirPods:
- Place your AirPods in the charging case.
- Close its lid.
- Wait for 30 seconds.
- Open its lid.
- On your iPhone 18 Pro, tap Settings > Bluetooth and then tap the (i) info icon next to your AirPods.
- Tap Forget This Device. Then restart your device.
- Now, while the lid is open, press and hold the setup button for 15 seconds until the status LED light flashes amber. For AirPods 4 models, AirPods 5 models, and AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case while the status light is on, double-tap again when the status light flashes white. When the status light flashes faster, double-tap a third time, until the status light flashes amber, then flashes white.
- Now reconnect your device (the lid is still open) by placing your AirPods close to your iPhone. Then simply follow the onscreen instructions on your iPhone. See AirPods Won’t Reset on iPhone 18 Pro.
Other possible causes
If you are still having this problem, there may be other issues. Wireless interference can cause Bluetooth problems which may affect your AirPods. To avoid this, make sure that your devices are close together. And furthermore, do not use your AirPods around common sources of interference such as microwave ovens, power cables, cordless phones, video cameras, fluorescent lightbulbs, or any device that’s wireless, etc.
So you tried everything and your AirPods are still disconnecting, you may be having a hardware problem. Check your warranty and then you may want to contact Apple Support.
