AirPods that disconnect mid-song, cut out during calls or refuse to pair are one of the more common complaints after updating to iOS 27. It affects AirPods 5, AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Max 2, and most cases come down to a stalled Bluetooth connection or old pairing data rather than a faulty earbud.
The ten fixes below start with quick checks and end with full resets, so work through them in order. For other accessories, our guide to common Bluetooth problems on iOS 27 covers the wider picture.
Four Quick Checks Rule Out the Simple Causes
These steps take a few minutes and cover the connection itself, the software on the iPhone and the firmware on the AirPods.
1. Force Restart Your iPhone
A force restart clears a stalled Bluetooth process without erasing anything, and it often fixes drops that started right after the update.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
- Reconnect your AirPods and test them again.
2. Reset the Connection With the Charging Case
Put both AirPods in the charging case, close the lid and wait 15 seconds, then open the lid near your iPhone. This starts a fresh Bluetooth handshake without changing any settings.
3. Update iOS and Let the AirPods Update Too
Open Settings > General > Software Update and install anything listed. Updates to iOS often include Bluetooth fixes, and a connection problem can also come from AirPods that are running older firmware.
Apple released new firmware for AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4 and AirPods Max 2 alongside iOS 27. It adds the new AirPods settings screen, the Adaptive mode slider and custom EQ. There is no manual update button, so keep the AirPods in the case, charging and close to the iPhone, and give the update a few hours. To see which version you have, open Settings and tap your AirPods at the top of the screen.
4. Check Bluetooth and Control Center
Open Settings > Bluetooth and confirm Bluetooth is on. Then open Control Center, tap the AirPlay button and check whether your AirPods appear in the list.
If they show up there, select them and play audio. That tells you the pairing is fine and the issue is with how the iPhone picks the output.
Automatic Switching and Microphone Settings Can Cause Drops
AirPods that move between your iPhone, iPad and Mac can drop when the wrong device grabs them. These two settings are the usual suspects.
5. Stop the AirPods From Switching Automatically
- Open Settings and tap your AirPods name at the top of the screen.
- Tap Audio & Routing.
- Tap Connect to This iPhone.
- Choose When Last Connected to This iPhone in place of Automatically.
The AirPods then stay with the device you used last and stop jumping between your Apple devices.
6. Set the Microphone to One AirPod
Calls rely on one earbud’s microphone at a time, and the AirPods hand that job back and forth by default. If your AirPods act up mostly during calls, lock the microphone to one earbud to rule out a bad handoff.
- Open Settings and tap your AirPods name at the top of the screen.
- Open Audio & Routing if Microphone is not listed on the first screen, then tap Microphone.
- Choose Always Left AirPod or Always Right AirPod in place of Automatically Switch AirPods.
The earbud you pick stays the microphone even when you put it back in the case. If calls still drop, switch to the other earbud or return to Automatically Switch AirPods.
Re-Pairing and Resets Fix the Stubborn Connection Problems
Corrupted pairing data is the most common cause when the quick checks do not help. These four fixes clear it, from the least to the most disruptive.
7. Forget the AirPods and Pair Them Again
- Open Settings > Bluetooth.
- Tap the info icon next to your AirPods.
- Tap Forget This Device and confirm.
- Open the charging case near your iPhone and follow the pairing prompt.
Forgetting the AirPods removes the pairing from your other Apple devices that use the same Apple Account, so you may need to reconnect them on each device.
8. Reset the AirPods
A reset clears the pairing data stored on the AirPods themselves. The steps depend on your model.
First, put the AirPods in the case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds, then forget them in Settings > Bluetooth if they are still listed and open the lid again.
| AirPods model | How to reset |
|---|---|
| AirPods 5, AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 | Double-tap the front of the case three times, once while the status light is on, once when it flashes white and once when it flashes faster |
| AirPods Pro 2 and earlier models | Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds |
When the status light flashes amber and then white, the reset is done. If it never flashes white at the start, close the lid for 20 seconds and try again. Bring the case near your iPhone and pair the AirPods again.
9. Reset Network Settings
- Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset, then Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode if prompted and confirm.
- Reconnect your Wi-Fi networks and your AirPods.
This erases saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings and every Bluetooth pairing, so you will reconnect all of them afterward. It helps when ordinary re-pairing fails because the pairing data is damaged at the system level.
10. Set Up the iPhone as New
If nothing else works, set up the iPhone as new without restoring a backup. This rules out damaged data carried over from an old backup or iCloud, and it is a last resort that erases the iPhone, so back it up first.
- Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings and follow the prompts.
- During setup, choose Set Up as New iPhone in place of restoring a backup.
- Sign in to iCloud after setup, then pair the AirPods again.
AirPods That Drop on Every Device Need Service
Pair the AirPods with a non-Apple device such as an Android phone or a Windows PC. If they hold a stable connection there, the fault is in the iPhone software and not the AirPods.
If they drop on other devices too, if only one earbud keeps cutting out or if the problem began without any software update, the hardware likely needs attention. Apple Support can diagnose it and arrange a repair or replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting after the iOS 27 update?
The usual causes are a stalled Bluetooth connection, old pairing data and automatic switching between your Apple devices. A force restart and re-pairing fix most cases.
How do I reset AirPods 5, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4?
These models have no setup button and reset with three double-taps on the front of the case that follow the status light until it flashes amber and then white, while older models use the setup button on the back.
Will resetting my AirPods delete anything?
No. A reset only clears the pairing, and you pair the AirPods again afterward. Your iPhone data stays untouched.
Why do my AirPods disconnect during calls?
Calls use the microphone, so a switching or microphone problem shows up there first. Locking the microphone to one AirPod and turning off automatic switching can help rule out the cause.
Does the warranty cover AirPods that keep disconnecting?
Apple’s one-year limited warranty covers manufacturing defects, and you can check your coverage status at checkcoverage.apple.com.
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