Whenever you make a call, play some music, or watch a video on your iPhone or Mac, your AirPods are supposed to connect to each device automatically. But several problems—such as compatibility issues and outdated system software—can result in your AirPods not switching between devices.
If that’s what you’re experiencing at the moment, work through the troubleshooting steps below to fix your AirPods.
1. Make Sure Your AirPods Are Compatible With Switching
All AirPods models—except for the first-generation AirPods—support automatic device switching. If you’re unsure about the type of AirPods you use (the first and second generation AirPods look the same), you can identify them by model number.
Here’s how:
- Connect your AirPods to your iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- Open the Settings app.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Tap the More Info button next to your AirPods.
- Check the Model Number. If you see A1523 or A1722 listed next to it, you have a pair of first-generation AirPods that don’t support automatic audio switching.
If you see A2031 or a later model number, your AirPods are compatible with automatic switching. In that case, move on to the rest of the fixes.
2. Update Your System Software
You should next check the operating system version on each iPhone and Mac you own and upgrade them if necessary.
Even if you have the latest major update installed, you may still want to download available minor updates. They should patch up any known bugs or issues preventing your AirPods from switching between devices automatically.
How to Update the Operating System on an iPhone 18 Pro Max
On an iPhone, head over to Settings > General > About. You should see your device’s current iOS version listed next to iOS Version.
Head back to the previous screen and tap Software Update. You should see an option to upgrade the system software here.
How to Update the Operating System on Mac
Open the Apple menu and select About This Mac to identify the macOS version installed on your Mac. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Software Update to upgrade to a newer version of the system software.
3. Confirm You’re Using the Same Apple Account on Each Device
To use automatic AirPods switching, you must be signed in to the same Apple Account across all of your Apple devices. If not, your AirPods will not switch between them automatically.
How to Check Your Apple Account on an iPhone 18 Pro Max
To confirm that you have the same Apple Account on your iPhone, open Settings and tap your profile at the top. You will see your Apple Account listed at the top of the following screen.
If needed, use the Sign Out option to sign out and sign in with the same Apple Account as the rest of your devices.
How to Check Your Apple Account on Mac
On your Mac, open the System Settings app and click your name at the top of the sidebar. If you notice a different Apple Account than what you expected, use the Sign Out option to sign out of the device. Then, sign back in with the correct Apple Account you’re using everywhere else.
4. Enable Automatic Audio Switching
Each of your Apple devices has a specific setting that allows your AirPods to switch to them automatically. Confirm that this is enabled on each iPhone and Mac you own.
How to Enable Automatic Audio Switching on iPhone
Follow these steps to enable automatic switching on an iPhone:
- Connect the AirPods to your iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- Open the Settings app and select Bluetooth.
- Tap the More Info button next to your AirPods.
- Select Connect to This iPhone (if you don’t see that option, first tap Audio & Routing).
- Select Automatically.
Enable Automatic Audio Switching on Mac
Follow these steps to enable automatic switching on a Mac:
- Connect the AirPods to your Mac.
- Open the System Settings app, then click the name of your AirPods in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down).
- Open the menu next to Connect to This Mac and select Automatically (if you don’t see that option, first click Audio & Routing).
5. Upgrade Your AirPods Firmware
Your AirPods will not switch between Apple devices if they don’t run firmware version 3A283 or later. Typically, this isn’t something you need to worry about, since your AirPods upgrade to the latest firmware on their own.
But if you just started using a new pair of AirPods, you should double-check if they’re up to date:
- Connect your AirPods to an iPhone.
- Open the Settings app and select Bluetooth.
- Tap the More Info button next to the name of your AirPods.
- Check Version.
If you see an outdated firmware version number (you can check the latest firmware version on the Wikipedia page for AirPods), you must install the latest firmware on your AirPods. While there’s no option to do this manually, it’s possible to “nudge” your AirPods into upgrading the firmware.
To do that, put your AirPods in their charging case or Smart Case and connect them to a power source. Then, leave your iPhone 18 Pro Max next to your AirPods and connected to Wi-Fi. Check back again after 30 minutes. The firmware on your AirPods should have updated automatically in the meantime.
6. Reset Your AirPods
If none of the fixes above helped, it’s time to reset your AirPods. Usually, this takes care of common AirPods issues that prevent them from automatically connecting to your devices. Keep in mind that this will reset the settings, but it shouldn’t take long to change everything back.
Here’s how to reset your AirPods:
AirPods 1, 2, or 3, or AirPods Pro 1 or 2: Put the AirPods in their case, close the lid, then wait 30 seconds. Open the lid, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.
AirPods 4 or 5, or AirPods Pro 3: Put the AirPods in their case, close the lid, then wait 30 seconds. Open the lid, then double-tap the front of the case three times. When you successfully reset your AirPods, the status light flashes amber, then white.
AirPods Max: On the right headphone, press and hold the Digital Crown and the listening mode button at the same time, until the status light next to the charging port changes from flashing amber to flashing white (around 15 seconds).
Your AirPods are now reset. Go through the pairing process and connect them to your iPhone or Mac again.
You don’t have to reconnect your AirPods to each of your Apple devices; they should pair automatically using your Apple Account after connecting to the first device.
Get Your AirPods Switching Automatically
Automatic device switching is an amazing functionality that removes the hassle of connecting your AirPods manually to different Apple devices all the time. Hopefully, the troubleshooting methods above helped you get it working properly.
