Several users have reported experiencing difficulties in pairing their AirPods with their iPhones following the iOS 17 update.
In this guide, I will provide you with a few effective tips to resolve this connectivity issue.
Let’s get started.
TL;DR Version
If you’re having trouble connecting your AirPods to your iPhone, do the following:
1. Refresh the Bluetooth Connection
If you have already paired your AirPods to your iPhone, then I recommend refreshing the connection between the devices.
Re-pairing your AirPods ensures that both devices are synced properly.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to Bluetooth.
- Tap on the (i) icon next to your AirPods.
- Now, tap on Forget This Device.
- Restart your iPhone.
- Put your AirPods back in the case.
- Wait for 2-3 minutes.
- Reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone.
2. Check Sound Output
If your AirPods are connected to your iPhone, but the sound comes out from the speakers, check the output option on the app you’re using and ensure that your AirPods are selected.
3. Disconnect Other Bluetooth Devices
You can also try disconnecting other Bluetooth devices on your iPhone to see if any of them cause the problem.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap on Bluetooth.
- Identify other devices connected to your iPhone.
- Tap on the (i) icon.
- Scroll down and tap on Forget This Device.
After removing other devices, connect your AirPods to see if the problem is solved.
You can add your devices one by one while trying to connect your AirPods to see which device causes the problem.
4. Enable ‘Automatic Ear Detection’ Setting
If you want your AirPods to automatically stop or start playing when you put them in your ears, then you should enable the ‘Automatic Ear Detection’ setting.
The feature might be disabled on your iPhone, which explains why it’s not detected when you put it in your ears.
Follow the steps below to enable automatic ear detection:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Next, go to Bluetooth.
- Find your AirPods and tap the (i) icon beside it.
- Look for Automatic Ear Detection and enable it.
5. Charge Your AirPods
Your AirPods could be running low on battery, which explains why it won’t connect. Leave your AirPods in the charging case for 30 minutes to ensure that it has enough charge.
You should also check the charging case and ensure it still has enough charge. Plug it in the wall outlet while your AirPods are inside to charge both devices simultaneously.
6. Update Your iPhone
The version of iOS you’re using might have an underlying issue that prevents your AirPods from connecting.
Check if there are newer versions of iOS and install them to patch bugs and errors.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Navigate to General > Software Update.
- If there’s a new iOS version available, tap Download and Install.
- Once the new software is ready, follow the prompts to install the update.
Note
- Your device can restart several times while installing the update.
- Ensure your iPhone has at least 50% battery before installing updates. It’s best to keep your device plugged into the wall charger to avoid interruptions.
- Allow at least 15 minutes for the update to install, especially if it’s a major update (iOS 15 to iOS 16).
To avoid missing future updates, enable automatic updates on your iPhone:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Go to General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
- Enable Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates.
7. Reset Your Settings Back to Factory Defaults
At this point, the last thing you can do is reset your iPhone’s settings. This should remove all traces of your AirPods and ensure there are no conflicts with your preferences.
Here’s how you can reset your iPhone’s settings:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap on Reset.
- Select Reset All Settings and follow the prompts.
Note
- Your iPhone will immediately restart upon resetting your configurations.
- It may be stuck in the Apple logo. Wait for the process to complete, which usually takes 5 to 10 minutes.
FAQs
How do I connect my AirPods to iOS 17?
To connect your AirPods to iOS 17, you need to do:
- Open the charging case with your AirPods in and hold it next to your iPhone.
- Wait for the AirPods menu to show up.
- Follow the prompts to connect your AirPods.
Why are my AirPods suddenly not connecting to my iPhone?
If your AirPods don’t connect to your iPhone, ensure that your iPhone’s Bluetooth is enabled. You should also verify whether your AirPods still have enough charge left and that your iPhone is not connected to other audio devices.
What is adaptive audio on iOS 17?
Adaptive Audio is a feature on AirPods Pro 2 that uses machine learning to blend transparency mode and active noise cancellation together. This way, you can still hear when someone is talking to you while canceling irrelevant noises.
How do I factory reset my AirPods?
You can reset your AirPods by doing the following:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to Bluetooth.
- Tap the (i) icon next to your AirPods.
- Scroll down and tap Forget This Device.
- Put your AirPods back in the charging case and close the lid.
- Wait for 30 seconds.
- Open the lid and hold the Setup button for 15 seconds or until the status light flashes amber, then white.
- Reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone or other devices.
