AirPods connection issues after iOS 18 Update

This issue is annoying enough for me to consider leaving the apple ecosystem. I’ve tried every single suggestion and nothing fixes it.

This is clearly a widespread issue and there needs to be a software update to fix it.

I have had the same issue and Apple tech support is suggesting a $330 fix for a headphone that was purchased for $550! Apple should examine how Bose treat their customers when they encounter similar issue!

I’ve been having this issue with my airpod maxes on my iPad ever since I updated it to 18.0.1. My airpods won’t duel connect with my iPad and any of my other devices, its bluetooth is always freaking out, and my ipad overall has been extremely glitchy; enough to the point where I am considering getting rid of it. I am so sick of these problems ever major update and as a student I don’t have time for them

I have Airpods Pro and my wife has regular airpods. Both of us had to disconnect our airpods to try to repair the connection issues and now neither of us can reconnect them to our phones. We didn't have these problems before updating to 18.0. I'm sure Apple is working on it, I just wanted to add to the list so a fix can be prioritized.

Thank you

I share your sentiment of disappointment. After nine years

of using Samsung, I recently switched back to Apple, but I'm not experiencing

the luxury, user-friendliness, or innovative solutions I expected. Instead,

I've encountered poor software design and outdated hardware.

It's crucial to thoroughly test updates to prevent

disconnection issues. While features like gesture control are interesting, they

don't outweigh the problems caused by disconnections. If discontinuing such

options resolves these issues, I believe it would be worth considering.

This is a major bummer. but after officially updating to 18.1 it seems to have bricked my AirPods Max. Now I don't know what to do! These things are pretty much glued to my head at work

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I’ve had Airpods Pro2 since they were released. I’ve never had any issues like this with them. Now since the latest firmware update they keep randomly disconnecting in the middle of listening to music. I use music to help motivate me when exercising or lifting weights. It’s really distracting.

I can't get my air pods to connect since the new IOS 18 update. NEVER had this issue before. When are you going to fix this . We spend $$$ on this issue (time and energy!). I have tried ALL of the steps you've provided, and nothing has worked.

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I’ve been dealing with this same issue multiple times through out the day. Music takes up a pretty large part of my time and it’s super inconvenient when that’s made complicated and stressful. I’ve noticed it happens more so when the AirPods are at high volume, somewhere above 50% I’d say?

Definitely a VERY annoying bug. I have two airpods gen 2, and both are experiencing the same issue. It even takes a while to get them connected sometimes because, for some reason, the Apple quality isn't there anymore. I hope they're fixing this problem anytime soon, because, we might as well just move over to a different carrier.

Ever since update, left AirPod pro won’t charge and case doesn’t connect to IOS through pairing with the button on the back of the charging case.

for anyone who’s wondering what is going on, there is a war being waged between tech giants and apple is clearly a target.

razer has some earbuds that spank the AirPod pros in performance.

they recently had a malware issue where the case wouldn’t charge the left earbud.

a few months go by and apple has the same exact issue.

how much money have we all spent on this product only to see it’s such a failure.

ill never buy apple earbuds ever again in this life. They make okay phones, but anything else by apple is just pure junk with a junk price.

how many of us spent so much money only to be led here, with others who spent the same kind of money only to wish we had gone somewhere else.

galaxy budds and razer are so much better than these things.

My AirPods Maxes will not reconnect. I get them connected and everything is good, until I take them off. Then they won’t reconnect, I have to forget the device, and reconnect them, which renders my $600 headphones totally useless. Completely unacceptable that a glitch in iOS 18 caused this problem and no one at Apple cares.

Yesterday I finally decided to upgrade my iPhone to iOS 18 and what a disaster these past 24 hours have been. My AirPods Max are encountering the same problems described by all the users on this thread, it is really annoying, I am supposed to get some work done but it is hard when I have to spend 5/10min reconnecting them whenever I take them off to talk to colleagues or grab a cup of coffee. What is even more incredible is that it's december 4th and people are still having this issue? Unbelievable, I will definitely stay away from Apple headphones next time

It’s so annoying! Since latest update anytime my screen is locked it automatically disconnects my AirPods and I have tried all the troubleshooting advice and it was no help! Apple products are pricy enough that issues like this should not be a thing and if it happens should be a priority to fix it! I can’t just have my phone open all day

Exactly the same issue IOS18 dropped the connection to AirPods, and forgetting them now means I cannot reconnect - even after multiple attempts.

First “real” issue with the Apple ecosystem after 20yrs….