Every time that I look this up, all the websites or articles say the answer is switching the settings to "When last connected to this Mac". I don't want the AirPods to ever automatically connect to my Mac, even when it was the last device it was connected to. Does anyone have any ideas for this?
AirPods (3rd generation)
This thing drove me crazy for years. I'm using my AirPods only with my iPhone and larger headphones with Mac and never want it to switch back and forth, but it always does.
I might have just solved it with AirPods 4. It works under the latest macOS at the moment (15.3).
I looked in all possible places where settings can be stored and found something interesting, and it likely works.
Steps:
1 - Connect AirPods to Mac, go to Settings, select "When last connected to Mac".
2 - Open Terminal, run the following command, you will be asked for a password.
sudo defaults read /Library/Bluetooth/Library/Preferences/com.apple.MobileBluetooth.devices
The output will look something like that:
{
... different stuff ...
"FC:A5:C8:B8:07:67" = {
... different stuff ...
OwnerNoMagicPairing = 0;
... different stuff ...
UserNameKey = "My AirPods 4";
... different stuff ...
};
... different stuff ...
}
You are looking for the section with your AirPods name in UserNameKey; it should (but probably might not) have the OwnerNoMagicPairing key set to 0.
Next, you need to copy the top-level key of this section ("FC:A5:C8:B8:07:67" in case above).
3 - Run the following command, replacing "FC:A5:C8:B8:07:67" with your specific value from above.
sudo defaults write /Library/Bluetooth/Library/Preferences/com.apple.MobileBluetooth.devices "FC:A5:C8:B8:07:67" -dict-add OwnerNoMagicPairing -int 1
You may rerun the first command to check that now OwnerNoMagicPairing set to 1.
4 - Open AirPods settings again, check that "When last connected to Mac” is still selected, and click disconnect.
After that, when I insert my AirPods, it connects to my iPhone.
On Mac, click connect on AirPods, and it switches to Mac.
Put AirPods back to the case, take them out, and insert them again - they still connect to my iPhone, even though they were last connected to Mac and even if my iPhone screen is off.
Play anything on Mac and AirPods doesn’t switch to it automatically.
Fn fantastic!
My AirPods 2, which I no longer use but still added to my settings, also have this key. So this should work with other Apple headphones too.
Jayjr777 wrote:
APPLE - here's a use case for you...
Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user technical support forum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:
Larry Hutchinson wrote:
I guess we all want functionality to match our exact use case and I imagine this is not easy to right code for. Having said that you would think Apple would be able to sort this out.
You should definitely tell Apple what you think. That is far more likely to get you the change you desire than posting here. Your post was clear, articulate. You should pretty much be able to copy and paste it into the feedback page.
Yes, that should work but it seems every once in a while the MAC and my MacBook reverts to "AUTOMATICALLY" then connects and I can't figure out why. I NEVER want (or use) my Airpods with my MACs. I am wondering if that happens with each OS update.
lacheporter wrote:
While this is a terrible user experience, you can turn off bluetooth on your mac all together as a "work around". But yes I agree, just stop reconnecting once I hit forget.
Sorry, but that is a non-doable “workaround.” How do I then use my mouse, keyboard and speakers and a number of other things I can’t think of at the moment?
Why do I find it so hard to follow threads on this forum. Been on forums since the early 80's and this one drives me nuts. Anyway, back on topic.
While I haven't tried this YET, KUDOS! If it works and holds up through OS updates, fantastic. Also I don't expect your post to remain up knowing how things work here but if you see this before that, thanks again for putting in the work.
MisterEdF wrote:
Why do I find it so hard to follow threads on this forum. Been on forums since the early 80's and this one drives me nuts. Anyway, back on topic.
You probably have the threads sorted by either "Rank" or "Upvotes," either of which makes things impossible to follow in my opinion. You can change an individual thread by going to the top of the page, just under the original post. Below the right corner of the original post, you'll see "Sort by" with a drop-down menu. Personally, I prefer sorting by "Oldest" as things stay in order.
You can change the default by clicking on your avatar at the upper right corner of every page of the forums, selecting "Preferences," and then, toward the bottom of the page, selecting the default sort order.
wow, this is super helpful...thank you. I used to have it set to 'when last connected' on my Mac, but it KEEPS reverting back to automatic... so annoying.
if this setting stays then it will be super helpful.
Thank you!
I’m not sure you even read his question. That doesn’t work. And he specifically asked for better, different solution.
This drives me crazy, the stupidest idea ever! That never should have been the default settings, never!
Absolute GOLD!!! Thank you!
Agree 100%
100% agree. It's infuriating that Apple decides to stop playing what I'm actively listening to on my phone and connect to the Mac that is playing no sound.
It is user hostile and very un-Apple.
Since many on this thread think it is an issue, not sure why you think it’s not. And I can’t see how VPN or antivirus software would have any relevance to this problem.
If you set it up like I did and want to use it on your Mac occasionally then you can but you must reset it back to your iPhone when done so it connects to the iPhone automatically the next time.
How to FULLY stop AirPods from automatically connecting to Mac.
