Apple’s AirPods have revolutionized the wireless earbud market with their seamless connectivity and impressive sound quality. However, like any technology, they can occasionally encounter issues. One frustrating problem that users may face is when their AirPods indicate that they are connected, but the sound continues to play from the iPhone’s speaker. In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, we’ll explore the potential causes of this issue and provide step-by-step solutions to help you resolve it and get your AirPods back to delivering audio wirelessly.
Understanding the Issue
Before we dive into troubleshooting, let’s understand the issue at hand. When your AirPods are correctly connected to your iPhone, they should automatically route audio to the earbuds. However, there are situations where your AirPods may show as “Connected” in your device’s Bluetooth settings, but the sound still plays through the iPhone’s speaker.
This problem can be particularly frustrating, as it defeats the purpose of using wireless earbuds. There are several potential causes for this issue, and we’ll explore each one in detail.
Check Bluetooth Connection
The first step is to ensure that your AirPods are, indeed, connected to your iPhone. Follow these steps to verify the connection:
- Open the Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top right corner (or up from the bottom, depending on your iPhone model).
- Ensure that Bluetooth is turned on. Look for the Bluetooth icon, which should be highlighted in blue.
- Tap the “Bluetooth” icon to open the Bluetooth settings.
- In the list of available devices, find your AirPods and confirm that they are connected. They should display as “Connected” next to their name.
If your AirPods are not connected, tap on their name to connect them manually.
Check AirPods Battery
Low battery levels in your AirPods can sometimes cause this issue. If your AirPods have low battery life, they may not be able to establish a stable connection. To check your AirPods’ battery status:
- Place both AirPods in their charging case for a moment, then take them out.
- Open the Control Center on your iPhone, and check the battery status of your AirPods. It should display the battery percentage for both the left and right earbuds.
If the battery levels are critically low, consider charging your AirPods before troubleshooting further.
Restart Your iPhone
Restarting your iPhone can often resolve connectivity issues with your AirPods. Here’s how to do it:
- Press and hold either the volume up or volume down button along with the side button (on older iPhones, press and hold the power button).
- When the “slide to power off” slider appears, slide it to turn off your iPhone.
- Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side (or power) button again until you see the Apple logo.
- Once your iPhone restarts, check if your AirPods are now functioning correctly.
Forget and Reconnect AirPods
Sometimes, re-establishing the Bluetooth connection can resolve the issue. Follow these steps to forget and reconnect your AirPods:
- Open the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone.
- Find your AirPods in the list of connected devices and tap the “i” icon next to their name.
- Tap “Forget This Device” to disconnect your AirPods.
- Place your AirPods back in their charging case, close the lid, and wait for a few seconds.
- Open the lid of the AirPods case while keeping it near your iPhone. A setup animation should appear on your iPhone screen.
- Tap “Connect” to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone.
- Check if the sound now plays through your AirPods.
Disable/Enable Bluetooth
Turning off and then turning on Bluetooth can help reset the Bluetooth connection between your iPhone and AirPods. Follow these steps:
- Open the Control Center on your iPhone.
- Tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it off. It will turn gray to indicate that Bluetooth is disabled.
- Wait for a few seconds, then tap the Bluetooth icon again to turn it back on. It should turn blue to indicate that Bluetooth is enabled.
- Check if the issue is resolved and sound is now playing through your AirPods.
Check Audio Output Settings
Your iPhone has settings that allow you to specify where audio should be routed. It’s possible that the audio output settings are directing sound to the iPhone’s speaker instead of your AirPods. Follow these steps to check and adjust the audio output settings:
- Open the Control Center on your iPhone.
- In the music playback controls, tap the audio output icon (it looks like a triangle with three concentric circles).
- A list of available audio output devices will appear. Select your AirPods from the list.
- Once you’ve selected your AirPods, check if the audio now plays through them.
Check App-Specific Settings
Certain apps may have their own audio output settings that can override the default settings on your iPhone. If the issue is specific to a particular app, check its audio settings. Here’s how:
- Open the app that’s not playing sound through your AirPods.
- Look for an audio or sound settings menu within the app. This could be in the app’s settings or preferences.
- Check the audio output device settings within the app and select your AirPods as the preferred output.
- Test the audio to see if it now plays through your AirPods within that specific app.
Update iOS and AirPods Firmware
Outdated firmware on your AirPods or an outdated iOS version on your iPhone can lead to compatibility issues. Ensure that both your AirPods and iPhone are running the latest firmware and software updates. Here’s how to do it:
For AirPods firmware updates:
- Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
- Place your AirPods in their charging case and ensure they are connected to your iPhone.
- Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.
- Keep your AirPods in their case near your iPhone and connected to power. Make sure your iPhone is also connected to power.
- Wait for the update to install automatically. You will receive a notification when it’s complete.
For iOS updates:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap “General.”
- Tap “Software Update.”
- If an update is available, tap “Download and Install.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
After updating, check if the issue with your AirPods is resolved.
Reset AirPods
If none of the previous steps have resolved the issue, you can try resetting your AirPods. This will restore them to their factory settings, and you’ll need to reconnect them to your iPhone. Here’s how:
- Open the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone.
- Find your AirPods in the list of connected devices and tap the “i” icon next to their name.
- Scroll down and tap “Reset.”
- Confirm the reset by tapping “Reset” again.
- Place your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
- Wait a few seconds, then open the lid near your iPhone. A setup animation should appear on your iPhone screen.
- Tap “Connect” to reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone.
- Check if the sound is now playing through your AirPods.
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Experiencing the issue of AirPods showing as “Connected” but not producing sound through the earbuds can be frustrating. However, with the troubleshooting steps outlined in this guide, you can often identify and resolve the underlying causes of this problem. Whether it’s a simple issue with Bluetooth connectivity, a settings adjustment, or a firmware update, these steps can help you enjoy the wireless audio experience that AirPods are known for. If the issue persists despite these efforts, it may be worth contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance and diagnostics.