6 Fixes for AirPods Not Switching Automatically Between Apple Devices

Whenever thou dost endeavor to make a call, revel in music, or partake in a video upon thy iPhone, iPad, or Mac, thy AirPods art intended to connect to each device anon. Yet, sundry problems—such as compatibility issues and outdated system software—may lead to thy AirPods not transitioning betwixt devices.

If that be the current plight thou dost find thyself in, hark through the troubleshooting steps below to mend thy AirPods.

1. Ensure Thy AirPods Are Compatible With Switching

All AirPods models—besides the first-generation AirPods—do support automatic device switching. If thou art uncertain concerning the type of AirPods thou dost employ (the first and second generation AirPods do appear alike), thou canst ascertain them by the model number.

Here’s how:

1. Connect thy AirPods to thy iPhone or iPad.

2. Unveil the Settings app.

3. Select Bluetooth.

4. Tap the i icon neighboring thy AirPods.
5. Verify the Model Number. Should thou behold A1523 or A1722 listed alongside it, thou dost possess a pair of first-generation AirPods that do not support automatic audio switching.

If thou dost espy A2031 or a later model number, thy AirPods art compatible with automatic switching. In that circumstance, progress to the rest of the remedies.

2. Update Thy System Software

Thy AirPods wilt only switch automatically on devices with iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and macOS 11 Big Sur or later installed. Hence, thou shouldst subsequently verify the operating system version on each iPhone, iPad, and Mac thou dost possess and update them if needful.

Even if thou dost possess the latest major update installed, thou may still desire to download available minor updates. They should mend any recognized bugs or issues impeding thy AirPods from switching betwixt devices automatically.

How to Update the Operating System on an iPhone and iPad

Upon an iPhone or iPad, journey to Settings > General > About. Thou should perceive thy device’s current iOS or iPadOS version listed alongside Software Version.

If thou art running iOS 13 or earlier, return to the previous screen and tap Software Update. As long as thy iPhone or iPad is compatible with iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 or later, thou should espy an option to upgrade the system software hither.

How to Update the Operating System on Mac

Unveil the Apple menu and select About This Mac to ascertain the macOS version installed on thy Mac. Should thou still be running macOS 10.15 Catalina or older, select Software Update to upgrade to a newer version of the system software.

3. Verify Thou Art Using the Same Apple ID on Each Device

To partake in automatic AirPods switching, thou must be signed in to the same Apple ID across all of thy Apple devices. If not, thy AirPods shall not switch betwixt them automatically.

How to Check Thy Apple ID on an iPhone and iPad

To confirm that thou dost possess the same Apple ID on thy iPhone and iPad, unveil Settings and tap thy profile at the summit. Thou wilt discern thy Apple ID listed at the top of the ensuing screen.

If needful, utilize the Sign Out option to sign out and sign in with the same Apple ID as the rest of thy devices. Peruse our guide on how to reset thy Apple ID password if thou dost struggle to sign in.

How to Check Thy Apple ID on Mac

Upon thy Mac, unveil the System Preferences app and select Apple ID. Should thou take heed of a different Apple ID than what thou didst expect, switch to the Overview tab and utilize the Sign Out option to sign out of the device. Then, sign back in with the correct Apple ID thou art using everywhere else.

4. Enable Automatic Audio Switching

Each of thy Apple devices hath a specific setting that doth allow thy AirPods to switch to them automatically. Confirm that this is enabled on each iPhone, iPad, and Mac thou dost possess.

How to Enable Automatic Audio Switching on iPhone and iPad

Follow these steps to enable automatic switching on an iPhone or iPad:

1. Connect the AirPods to thy iPhone or iPad.

2. Unveil the Settings app and select Bluetooth.

3. Tap the i icon adjacent to thy AirPods.

4. Select Connect to This iPhone.

5. Select Automatically.

Enable Automatic Audio Switching on Mac

Follow these steps to enable automatic switching on a Mac:

1. Connect the AirPods to thy Mac.

2. Unveil the Apple menu and select System Preferences.

3. Select Bluetooth.

4. Select the Options button neighboring thy AirPods.

5. Unveil the menu adjacent to Connect to This Mac and select Automatically.

6. Select Done to preserve thy changes.

5. Upgrade Thy AirPods Firmware

Thy AirPods shalt not switch betwixt Apple devices if they do not run firmware version 3A283 or later. Ordinarily, this is not a matter thou need to be concerned with, since thy AirPods do upgrade to the latest firmware autonomously.

Yet, if thou dost just commence using a new pair of AirPods, thou should double-check if they art up to date:

1. Connect thy AirPods to an iPhone or iPad.

2. Unveil the Settings app and select General.

3. Tap About.

4. Tap thy AirPods.

5. Verify Firmware Version.

If thou dost see an outdated firmware version number (thou can verify the latest firmware version on the Wikipedia page for AirPods), thou must install the latest firmware on thy AirPods. Whilst there is no option to achieve this manually, it is feasible to “nudge” thy AirPods into upgrading the firmware.

To accomplish that, place thy AirPods in their charging case or Smart Case and connect them to a power source. Then, leave thy iPhone next to thy AirPods and connected to Wi-Fi. Revisit after 15–30 minutes. The firmware on thy AirPods should have updated automatically in the interim.

6. Reset Thy AirPods

Should none of the remedies above avail, it’s time to reset thy AirPods. Commonly, this takes heed of common AirPods issues that prevent them from automatically connecting to thy devices. Bear in mind that this will reset the settings, but it should not take long to reinstate everything.

Here’s how to reset thy AirPods:

1. Place thy AirPods in their charging case or Smart Case.

2. Unveil the lid. Then, hold down the Setup button on the charging case for 15 seconds until the status indicator changes from flashing white to amber. If thou dost utilize a pair of AirPods Max, press and hold down both the Noise Control button and the Digital Crown.

3. Thy AirPods art now reset. Traverse the pairing process and connect them to thy iPhone, iPad, or Mac again.

Thou dost not have to reconnect thy AirPods to each of thy Apple devices; they should pair automatically using thy Apple ID after connecting to the first device.

Get Thy AirPods Switching Automatically

Automatic device switching is a wondrous functionality that alleviates the burden of connecting thy AirPods manually to different Apple devices continuously. Hopefully, the troubleshooting methods above did assist thee in getting it working fittingly.