Airpods Max: Bluetooth Connection Problems in "Automatic Head Detection Mode"

[Scottyee]

I've got an iPhoneX and iPad Pro 12.9 both running latest IOS 4.3. and an Airpods Max with firmware version 3C16.

In my iPhone's bluetooth settings, and with APMax's 'Automatic Head Detection' set to ENABLED, and 'Connect to this iPhone' set to AUTOMATICALLY, the APMax initially functions correctly & stops playing when the headphones are removed, and resume when back over my ears, and when I play something on my iPad, the audio automatically switches from the iPhone to the iPad, and vice versa.

The problem begins after I put the APMax back into its smartpurse (I mean case) which disconnects the bluetooth connection to the iPhone and iPad. If I then take the headphones out of the smartcase, my iPhone appears to recognize the headphones again (rotating image of headphones appear on iPhone screen) and APMax showing up as connected in the iPhone's bluetooth settings, yet unable to re-route the audio from the iPhone to the APMax. The only way I'm able to get the sound to come from the headphones is to disable 'Automatic Head Detection' in the phones' APMax Bluetooth settings. Strange that this happens 8 out of 10 times, sometimes connecting but then disconnecting again, which makes me suspect this may be a (flaky) software issue. I even reset the Airpod Max to factory default and re-paired the headphones to my devices but this didn't help. Anybody else here experiencing similar issues? Until resolved, I'm stuck having to use the APMax with Automatic Head detection disabled.

 

[Scottyee]

100+ views and no replies? Should I assume the problem exists with only my specific APMax unit?
If that's the case, I'm returning mine back to Apple.

 

[Phil1975]

Think you have the answer..!
Speak to Apple Support and see if they can suggest any other troubleshooting steps before sending them back for a replacement.

 

[Knottscatt]

I've got an iPhoneX and iPad Pro 12.9 both running latest IOS 4.3. and an Airpods Max with firmware version 3C16.

In my iPhone's bluetooth settings, and with APMax's 'Automatic Head Detection' set to ENABLED, and 'Connect to this iPhone' set to AUTOMATICALLY, the APMax initially functions correctly & stops playing when the headphones are removed, and resume when back over my ears, and when I play something on my iPad, the audio automatically switches from the iPhone to the iPad, and vice versa.

The problem begins after I put the APMax back into its smartpurse (I mean case) which disconnects the bluetooth connection to the iPhone and iPad. If I then take the headphones out of the smartcase, my iPhone appears to recognize the headphones again (rotating image of headphones appear on iPhone screen) and APMax showing up as connected in the iPhone's bluetooth settings, yet unable to re-route the audio from the iPhone to the APMax. The only way I'm able to get the sound to come from the headphones is to disable 'Automatic Head Detection' in the phones' APMax Bluetooth settings. Strange that this happens 8 out of 10 times, sometimes connecting but then disconnecting again, which makes me suspect this may be a (flaky) software issue. I even reset the Airpod Max to factory default and re-paired the headphones to my devices but this didn't help. Anybody else here experiencing similar issues? Until resolved, I'm stuck having to use the APMax with Automatic Head detection disabled.

I just got my APmax headphones in yesterday and by this morning the same exact thing happened to me. The audio only works if I turn the automatic head detection off. Very frustrating considering the price and low availability. I hope I don’t have to wait a month or two for a replacement if they aren’t able to fix this issue.

 

[amartinez1660]

AirPods Max firmware 3C16 over here too.

Just chiming in to add that I already had a first issue and went through express replacement service (no issues there). I got mine early December and about two weeks later the Transparency/Noise cancelling would go on and off incessantly at times until they just stopped working.

Received the new pair and has been perfectly fine until this last week where I started having this exact same issue, it’s like the Automatic Head Detection stopped working, I don’t really have to put it on the Smart Case for that to happen, sometimes taking them off and putting them on a few minutes later would leave them in that weird state, they don’t do the ‘chime’ when placed on the head, they don’t react to the transparency/anc switch either when in this state. Sometimes I need to reset them several times or even take ear cushions and clean a bit the IR-like sensors inside and MIGHT bring them back.

I hate this, it has been working so fine and so well, I really hope it’s just a software gone wonky issue or else I’ll be forced to ride two years of Apple Care+, don’t want that, would like these headphones to last for the next 10 years or something.

 

[wills11]

There's definitely something to this—I have what I believe to be the same issue:

1. I manually connect my APMs on my iPhone (because Automatic Connection was a total disaster).
2. The ANC will switch to "Off" (not "Transparency" or "Noise Cancellation") and no audio is heard (either through the APM or the iPhone)
3. My iPhone reports that the APMs are connected, but the ANC button on the headphones has no effect.
4. If I go to Bluetooth Settings on my iPhone and select the APMs and try to switch to Transparency/ANC, nothing happens—except that I get a little haptic "buzz" and a message about head detection each time I press "Transparency" or "NC" button on the iPhone.
5. Using my iPhone to manually disconnect/connect has no effect, other than switching the checkmark from "iPhone" to "AirPods Max" and back.
6. After 30 seconds or so of toggling, the headphones suddenly work (with no physical adjustment of the APMs on my head).
7. One further oddity: I've tried to use Screen Recording to capture the issue—but it seems that suddenly makes them work again. Curious if anyone else can try this and see what happens for them.

Side note: regardless of whether the above happens, I also have an issue where, when placing a call, the APMs will disconnect from my iPhone (but not iMac or iPad as far as I'm aware) after a few seconds. This is frustrating, since I'll manually connect them, place a call, and then just as the person is answering or the phone is ringing, the APMs will disconnect—leaving me with headphones on and saying "one sec" to whoever's on the phone as I manually reconnect them. This happens pretty consistently, but not always, and I'm unable to isolate what other factors may be in play (but as per above, I do have "Connect to This [Device] - When Last Connected" on all my devices, since the Automatic Connection was a nightmare).


PS: I just saw this—and discovered my left ear cushion was upside-down! Will report back if this helps with the issue...

Curious Observation regarding removable Ear Cushions and Automatic Head Detection on Airpods Max

Hi all! I just came across a little problem that I thought, I might share, in case someone encounters the same problem. Automatic Head Detection in my left earcup suddenly stopped working. When I lifted it, the music just kept playing, Automatic Head Detection on the right earcup was fine. I...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[amartinez1660]

There's definitely something to this—I have what I believe to be the same issue:

1. I manually connect my APMs on my iPhone (because Automatic Connection was a total disaster).
2. The ANC will switch to "Off" (not "Transparency" or "Noise Cancellation") and no audio is heard (either through the APM or the iPhone)
3. My iPhone reports that the APMs are connected, but the ANC button on the headphones has no effect.
4. If I go to Bluetooth Settings on my iPhone and select the APMs and try to switch to Transparency/ANC, nothing happens—except that I get a little haptic "buzz" and a message about head detection each time I press "Transparency" or "NC" button on the iPhone.
5. Using my iPhone to manually disconnect/connect has no effect, other than switching the checkmark from "iPhone" to "AirPods Max" and back.
6. After 30 seconds or so of toggling, the headphones suddenly work (with no physical adjustment of the APMs on my head).
7. One further oddity: I've tried to use Screen Recording to capture the issue—but it seems that suddenly makes them work again. Curious if anyone else can try this and see what happens for them.

Side note: regardless of whether the above happens, I also have an issue where, when placing a call, the APMs will disconnect from my iPhone (but not iMac or iPad as far as I'm aware) after a few seconds. This is frustrating, since I'll manually connect them, place a call, and then just as the person is answering or the phone is ringing, the APMs will disconnect—leaving me with headphones on and saying "one sec" to whoever's on the phone as I manually reconnect them. This happens pretty consistently, but not always, and I'm unable to isolate what other factors may be in play (but as per above, I do have "Connect to This [Device] - When Last Connected" on all my devices, since the Automatic Connection was a nightmare).


PS: I just saw this—and discovered my left ear cushion was upside-down! Will report back if this helps with the issue...

Curious Observation regarding removable Ear Cushions and Automatic Head Detection on Airpods Max

Hi all! I just came across a little problem that I thought, I might share, in case someone encounters the same problem. Automatic Head Detection in my left earcup suddenly stopped working. When I lifted it, the music just kept playing, Automatic Head Detection on the right earcup was fine. I...

forums.macrumors.com

Did it help? I also go through this, I find myself often taken out the cushion and wiping with a lint free cloth the edges (sometimes there’s condensation waiting to become water after long uses), so sometimes might have sides flipped or the little opening on the wrong side, however, placing it back properly is just random chance whether it will fix it for you.

Maybe we could raise this issue more publicly or if anybody knows of a forum where users are keeping track of it? Today, besides the usual head-detection/ANC/connections issue, I was listening to a podcast and then the podcast stopped with a minor crackle sound, the controls do nothing as it refuses to go into ‘head detected mode’... resetting and re-pairing won’t fix it this time. Looks like return round #2 this time.

 

[Stephencovar]

I’m definitely having this same exact issues as listed above. I’ve had my AirPods for about two weeks now.

 

[kturnt]

Having this exact same issue. Anecdotally it only seems to happen when my battery is below 50%, and putting it in its case and taking it back out seems to put it back into the correct state.

 

[amartinez1660]

Having this exact same issue. Anecdotally it only seems to happen when my battery is below 50%, and putting it in its case and taking it back out seems to put it back into the correct state.

Just another update related to this: after resetting so many times the headphones (as that is the only thing that would bring them back to life more often than not) they got stuck in a weird white light blinking for pairing but not able to pair to any device (iPhone, iPad, AppleTV, Mac, nothing)... called Apple support at this time and going through some the steps there was putting them in the smart case for 15 seconds and taking them out after, instantly the closest device prompted the “Connect” dialog, paired successfully and suddenly I haven’t had any issues for this last afternoon. Head detection works, switching between devices work, etc... not counting victory just yet as it could have been not using them for the last couple of days since they wouldn’t connect.
On the battery side of things, will keep an eye but indeed it’s currently almost full.

 

[wills11]

Did it help? I also go through this, I find myself often taken out the cushion and wiping with a lint free cloth the edges (sometimes there’s condensation waiting to become water after long uses), so sometimes might have sides flipped or the little opening on the wrong side, however, placing it back properly is just random chance whether it will fix it for you.

Maybe we could raise this issue more publicly or if anybody knows of a forum where users are keeping track of it? Today, besides the usual head-detection/ANC/connections issue, I was listening to a podcast and then the podcast stopped with a minor crackle sound, the controls do nothing as it refuses to go into ‘head detected mode’... resetting and re-pairing won’t fix it this time. Looks like return round #2 this time.

Not completely sure:

1. It hasn't gotten "stuck" in "Off" mode again—yet.

2. When placing calls, the AirPods Max still frequently disconnect shortly after dialing—as the phone is ringing or someone picks up—requiring me to manually reconnect. I remember having the same issue with my AirPods Pro, but thought stopping Automatic Switching had solved it. Does anyone know what this is about?

Will update further when I have a bit more experience.

 

[wills11]

Just another update related to this: after resetting so many times the headphones (as that is the only thing that would bring them back to life more often than not) they got stuck in a weird white light blinking for pairing but not able to pair to any device (iPhone, iPad, AppleTV, Mac, nothing)... called Apple support at this time and going through some the steps there was putting them in the smart case for 15 seconds and taking them out after, instantly the closest device prompted the “Connect” dialog, paired successfully and suddenly I haven’t had any issues for this last afternoon. Head detection works, switching between devices work, etc... not counting victory just yet as it could have been not using them for the last couple of days since they wouldn’t connect.
On the battery side of things, will keep an eye but indeed it’s currently almost full.

Thanks for this—do you have Automatic Switching on?

 

[wills11]

Having this exact same issue. Anecdotally it only seems to happen when my battery is below 50%, and putting it in its case and taking it back out seems to put it back into the correct state.

Thanks for this. I got a stand for mine and haven't put them in the case since I first got them—will try this and see if it helps!

 

[thomas040]

I guess I'll have to get a case, because I honestly lost my case in a move and didn't care much since I never used it. But apparently they are needed for this issue to not happen?

 

[soulreaver99]

Add me to the list of people that have this problem. I’m on the latest firmware and I thought it was an iOS 15.2b problem.

I got sent a replacement from Apple and it’s still doing this nonsense where it disconnects and has to be re-paired again to the iPhone. Problem persists on the iPad as well.

Really annoying!

 

[Quitsnow]

Add me to the list of people that are starting to get annoyed by the apmx. I bought them about a month ago and everything was great. Well everything expect the fact they came with no 3.5mm cable and the only certified apple sells has no microphone output, but regardless everything else was great. One day my apmx just stopped connecting all together and it wouldn’t let me factory reset, I took them to apple and got a replacement. I got the new ones and again everything was great until today they stopped working again. Automatic head detection won’t eork, cable input doesn’t work either , and even when I factory reset it several times the issue persists and for some reason pops up the pairing popup like crazy when I manage to pair them. What should I do ? Should I just ask for a refund. I find it kind of insulting that these headphones cost almost the same as an iPhone yet , I’ve had to replace them twice in less than two months. What will happen when the warranty expires…. And I can’t get a replacement every other month.

 

[AmPdub]

There's definitely something to this—I have what I believe to be the same issue:

1. I manually connect my APMs on my iPhone (because Automatic Connection was a total disaster).
2. The ANC will switch to "Off" (not "Transparency" or "Noise Cancellation") and no audio is heard (either through the APM or the iPhone)
3. My iPhone reports that the APMs are connected, but the ANC button on the headphones has no effect.
4. If I go to Bluetooth Settings on my iPhone and select the APMs and try to switch to Transparency/ANC, nothing happens—except that I get a little haptic "buzz" and a message about head detection each time I press "Transparency" or "NC" button on the iPhone.
5. Using my iPhone to manually disconnect/connect has no effect, other than switching the checkmark from "iPhone" to "AirPods Max" and back.
6. After 30 seconds or so of toggling, the headphones suddenly work (with no physical adjustment of the APMs on my head).
7. One further oddity: I've tried to use Screen Recording to capture the issue—but it seems that suddenly makes them work again. Curious if anyone else can try this and see what happens for them.

Side note: regardless of whether the above happens, I also have an issue where, when placing a call, the APMs will disconnect from my iPhone (but not iMac or iPad as far as I'm aware) after a few seconds. This is frustrating, since I'll manually connect them, place a call, and then just as the person is answering or the phone is ringing, the APMs will disconnect—leaving me with headphones on and saying "one sec" to whoever's on the phone as I manually reconnect them. This happens pretty consistently, but not always, and I'm unable to isolate what other factors may be in play (but as per above, I do have "Connect to This [Device] - When Last Connected" on all my devices, since the Automatic Connection was a nightmare).


PS: I just saw this—and discovered my left ear cushion was upside-down! Will report back if this helps with the issue...

Curious Observation regarding removable Ear Cushions and Automatic Head Detection on Airpods Max

Hi all! I just came across a little problem that I thought, I might share, in case someone encounters the same problem. Automatic Head Detection in my left earcup suddenly stopped working. When I lifted it, the music just kept playing, Automatic Head Detection on the right earcup was fine. I...

forums.macrumors.com

I know I'm probably necroing this thread, sorry, but I have been struggling with this issue for a while now and have been so irritated that I have to put my headphones in the stupid case to get them to disconnect them. Seeing the cushions being upside-down could be the cause, I removed my headset, noticed that they have that little hole on the interior that I am guessing has the head sensor behind it. Flipping the cushions solved all my problems!! Thank you so much for this