AirPods Pro are one of the most popular wireless earbuds on the market. They are known for their sleek design, easy setup, and excellent sound quality. However, like all electronic devices, AirPods Pro can experience battery drain issues. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on your AirPods Pro for your daily activities. In this article, we will explore how to fix AirPods Pro battery drain issues.
Why are AirPods Pro battery draining fast?
Here some of the reasons why AirPods Pro battery drains fast:
Outdated software
If your AirPods Pro’ software is outdated, it can affect the battery’s performance. Apple releases periodic updates for the AirPods Pro to fix bugs and improve performance. If you have not updated your AirPods Pro’ software, you may experience faster battery drain.
Improper charging
Improper charging is another reason why AirPods Pro battery drains fast. If you do not charge your AirPods Pro correctly, it can damage the battery, causing it to drain faster than usual. For instance, if you charge your AirPods Pro using a non-Apple charger or cable, it can cause damage to the battery, leading to faster battery drain. Additionally, if you overcharge or undercharge your AirPods Pro, it can cause damage to the battery, leading to faster battery drain. Therefore, it is essential to use only Apple chargers and cables and avoid overcharging or undercharging your AirPods Pro.
Faulty battery
If your AirPods Pro’ battery is faulty, it can cause faster battery drain. Over time, the battery may lose its capacity to hold a charge, leading to faster battery drain.
Siri
AirPods Pro allow you to activate Siri using voice commands. However, if Siri is continuously active, it can cause faster battery drain.
High volume
If you listen to music or take calls at high volume, it can cause faster battery drain. High volume requires more power, and this can cause your AirPods Pro’ battery to drain faster than usual.
How to fix AirPods Pro battery drain issue
Turn Off Automatic Ear Detection
AirPods Pro have a feature called Automatic Ear Detection. This feature automatically pauses audio playback when you remove one or both AirPods Pro from your ears. However, this feature can also drain your AirPods Pro battery.
You can easily turn off ear detection on your AirPods Pro from the Bluetooth settings of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Here are the steps to follow:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- Tap on Bluetooth.
- Tap on the “i” icon next to your AirPods Pro.
- Toggle off the switch next to “Automatic Ear Detection.”
Once you have turned off ear detection on your AirPods Pro, they will no longer automatically pause or resume playback when you remove them from your ear. Instead, you will need to control playback manually using your device or the AirPods Pro themselves.
2. Turn Off Active Noise Cancellation
AirPods Pro (1st generation)and AirPods Pro (2nd generation)) have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature. ANC uses microphones to detect external noise and then cancels it out with inverse sound waves. While ANC can provide an immersive audio experience, it can also drain your AirPods Pro battery. To turn off ANC, press and hold the force sensor on the stem of your AirPods Pro until you hear a chime.
3. Disable Hey Siri
AirPods Pro have a feature called Hey Siri. This feature allows you to activate Siri with your voice. While Hey Siri is convenient, it can also drain your AirPods Pro battery. To disable Hey Siri, open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad, tap Siri & Search, and then toggle off Listen for “Hey Siri.”
4. Use One AirPod at a Time
Using one AirPod at a time can help extend the battery life of your AirPods Pro. When you use both AirPods, they work together to provide a stereo audio experience. However, this also means that they are both using battery power. To use one AirPod at a time, follow these steps:
- Take one AirPod out of the charging case and put the other one in the charging case.
- Connect the single AirPod to your iOS device and use it as usual.
- When the battery of the first AirPod runs out, put it back in the charging case and take out the other AirPod.
5. Update Apple AirPods Pro to fix battery drain issue
If you are still experiencing rapid battery drain issue, make sure your AirPods Pro (first generation) or AirPods Pro (second generation)are up to date with the latest software version.
Apple doesn’t offer a specific method to update its AirPods, as firmware updates usually roll out automatically. However, some may still be due for an update if not paired to an iPhone or iPad.
Knowing whether or not your AirPods Pro are up to date can be tricky, as updates may not be obvious. However, you can find out by checking the earbuds’ version number.
Next to AirPods Pro in Bluetooth settings, tap on About (the blue “i” icon).
Scroll to the bottom and you’ll find the firmware version. If it displays an earlier version, such as “4C165,” then the earbuds still need to be updated to the latest version.
Follow the steps below to update your AirPods Pro’ firmware.
- Navigate to your Bluetooth settings in the Settings app on your iOS device (iPhone or iPad).
- Tap to connect your AirPods Pro to your iOS device. Make sure your AirPods Pro are connected and in their case.
- Leave the AirPods Pro or AirPods Pro Pro next to your iOS device. The AirPods Pro should update automatically. It’s a good idea to charge the AirPods Pro case while updating, either with a Lightning-to-USB cable or with Qi wireless charging (if supported).
6. Enable Optimized Battery Charging on your AirPods Pro
Optimized Battery Charging is a feature available on AirPods Pro (first generation)) and AirPods Pro (2nd generation)that helps extend the battery life of the devices by reducing the amount of time they spend fully charged. This feature uses machine learning to understand your usage patterns and can automatically delay charging past 80% until just before you need to use them.
Optimized Battery Charging for AirPods Pro requires an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad and is on by default when you set up your device, or after you update it to iOS or iPadOS 15 or later. To check if the feature is enabled, follow the steps below:
- Open the AirPods Pro case.
- Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
- Tap on “Bluetooth” and find your AirPods Pro in the list of devices.
- Tap on the “i” icon next to your AirPods Pro.
- Scroll down and find the “Optimized Battery Charging” option.
- Toggle the switch to the “on” position.
Once you enable this feature, your AirPods Pro will start learning your charging habits and will optimize the battery charging accordingly. You can always turn off this feature if you prefer to charge your AirPods Pro to 100% all the time, but enabling this feature can help extend the overall lifespan of your AirPods Pro’ batteries.
7. Reset Your AirPods Pro
If you are still experiencing quick battery drain issue, you may need to reset your AirPods Pro. Resetting your AirPods Pro can help to resolve any software issues that may be causing the battery drain issue. To reset your AirPods Pro, follow these steps:
- Put both AirPods Pro in the charging case and make sure the case is plugged in or has enough charge.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light starts flashing amber.
- Release the setup button and wait for the status light to turn white.
- Reconnect your AirPods Pro to your iOS device and see if the battery drain issue has been resolved.
8. Listen to music or take calls at moderate volume levels to fix AirPods Pro’ battery drain
If you listen to music or take calls at high volume, it can cause faster battery drain on airpods Pro. High volume requires more power, and this can cause your AirPods Pro’ battery to drain faster than usual. Therefore, it is essential to listen to music or take calls at moderate volume levels to conserve your AirPods Pro’ battery.
9. Replace the battery
If you’ve tried all the above steps and still experience rapid battery drain on your AirPods Pro, it may be time to replace the battery. AirPods Pro have a limited battery life, and after a certain number of charging cycles, the battery may start to degrade. You can contact Apple support to have the battery replaced or take your AirPods Pro to an authorized repair center.
Conclusion
AirPods Pro are an excellent product, but they can experience battery drain issues. By following these troubleshooting tips, you can extend the battery life of your AirPods Pro and enjoy them for longer. If you continue to experience battery drain issues, contact Apple Support for further assistance.