I cannot for the life of me get my replacement AirPod pros to pair, one is the new 2D15 and the right ear is 2B588.
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AirPods Pro: Rattlegate
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I had that exact same problem!!
It took me a couple of days to resolve, including 3 or 4 chats with Apple Support.
I tried so many different things that I don't think I can give you a precise menu of steps to follow, but try this:
- take the AirPod that is 2D15 firmware and don't use it, leave it outside of the charging case and let it discharge
- use the 2B588 AirPod by itself for a while, listen to music with it, put it back into the charging case (by itself), let it charge for a while and see if the update pushes through, repeat.
- maybe let both of them discharge although I don't think I had to do that
- finally unpair both from your iPhone and put both into the charging case and let them charge for a while
- pair them again with your iPhone and see if the firmware is updated. If not, go through another round of using them, putting back into the charging case, reset (hold the button), etc
This is more or less what I went through over a 2 or 3 day period, not exactly as above but pretty much like this. Finally the darn things both had the correct firmware and I was able to pair them with my phone as a 'pair' and not individually, and everything has been fine since.
There does not seem to be a way to force a firmware update, unfortunately.
[edit: there is also a post of mine on the previous page that includes the 'official' Apple steps to follow, with my comments from a couple of days ago, which are hopefully reasonably consistent with what I've written above]
AirPods Pro need a serious redesign. For the price, they are garbage. I sneezed a couple times with my most recent replacements in my ear, and it blew the mic on the right pod. Absolutely pathetic.
I like the AP Pro quick BT connectivity and long battery life. For everything else, I prefer the original design.
I am so glad this is being discussed.
I bought my AirPod Pro's at launch, about a month later I experienced a buzzing noise when I talked while ANC or Transparency was on from the Left AirPod. There was also a slight rattle when walking. I took them to Apple and got them replaced at no charge. 3 Weeks later the same issue occurred with the Right AirPod, and they were out of sync (sounded like an echo between the two earbuds). I went to Apple and they replaced both of them, no hassle, no charge, all under warranty.
So I thought, all good, at this point I had gotten 3 brand new AirPod Pro's (2 Left, 1 Right) as replacements from Apple.
Months go by and all of a sudden a few weeks ago my Left one starts buzzing and rattling again. I contacted Apple support via chat and after a lovely 45 minute conversation with a great service advisor I got a new left AirPod. Now I'm at 4 replacement AirPod Pro's (3 Left, 1 Right).
Fast forward to present day, here goes the Right AirPod again, buzzing, rattling, impossible to use for a zoom meeting. I contacted Apple support this week via chart and they are sending a replacement again, should be here today.
Total now is 5 Replacement AirPod Pro's (3 Left, 2 Right).
I bought my AirPod Pro's at launch, about a month later I experienced a buzzing noise when I talked while ANC or Transparency was on from the Left AirPod. There was also a slight rattle when walking. I took them to Apple and got them replaced at no charge. 3 Weeks later the same issue occurred with the Right AirPod, and they were out of sync (sounded like an echo between the two earbuds). I went to Apple and they replaced both of them, no hassle, no charge, all under warranty.
So I thought, all good, at this point I had gotten 3 brand new AirPod Pro's (2 Left, 1 Right) as replacements from Apple.
Months go by and all of a sudden a few weeks ago my Left one starts buzzing and rattling again. I contacted Apple support via chat and after a lovely 45 minute conversation with a great service advisor I got a new left AirPod. Now I'm at 4 replacement AirPod Pro's (3 Left, 1 Right).
Fast forward to present day, here goes the Right AirPod again, buzzing, rattling, impossible to use for a zoom meeting. I contacted Apple support this week via chart and they are sending a replacement again, should be here today.
Total now is 5 Replacement AirPod Pro's (3 Left, 2 Right).
Same here, about 45 mins on chat support and they’re sending me my fourth set. The things they wanted me to try were pretty ridiculous (at one point they wanted me to put them in my ears without eartips, and when I told them they won’t buzz without eartips (because there is no seal) they tried to suggest that means I just need new eartips. ?
The failure of these seems to be pretty much inevitable under normal use. To try to prolong their life, don’t ever sneeze with them in your ears, don’t yell loudly... probably should just keep them in their case and don’t use them at all. ?
And don't ever use them in Transparency Mode outdoors in an area with frequent loud sirens. ?
From my experience that's caused by wax build-up in the inner grill. Cleaning with blue-tac once a week or every few days helped, but then I got a wax removal done at my doctor and apparently I had bad wax build-up. I have a feeling this is only an issue for people with more ear wax than normal.
Gross, I know, but I'm pretty sure that's the issue with the issue you're having. That's different than the buzzing though. I've had that as well.
My pair from late December just started buzzing/rattling in the right ear, but only when I talk on a call or teleconference. I’ve kept them clean with blue tack and they have no problem passing the ear test.
Following up with my experience with Apple support. It took a while and was quite easy. I had to answer a few questions, try the AirPods Pro with noise canceling on and off (the problem only occurs with it on and in transparency), and try it without the ear tips. interestingly, it was much worse without the eartips.
It was pretty obvious before we even started in that the rep was expecting the issue had something to do with hardware and noise cancelling/transparency mode. What I found interesting is that they are sending out left and right replacements, even though the issue is only in the left. They are doing an express replacement, which he said was usual for AirPods, but not for other devices (I don’t have AppleCare on these).
So, an easy experience and they really seem to be expecting folks to call in with this issue. Of course, he gave no details as to why they are having this issue, nor did he say how many he has seen with it, but going by how the support call went, it’s clear it’s a known issue that is being assumed as a hardware defect, not software or wear and tear.
It was pretty obvious before we even started in that the rep was expecting the issue had something to do with hardware and noise cancelling/transparency mode. What I found interesting is that they are sending out left and right replacements, even though the issue is only in the left. They are doing an express replacement, which he said was usual for AirPods, but not for other devices (I don’t have AppleCare on these).
So, an easy experience and they really seem to be expecting folks to call in with this issue. Of course, he gave no details as to why they are having this issue, nor did he say how many he has seen with it, but going by how the support call went, it’s clear it’s a known issue that is being assumed as a hardware defect, not software or wear and tear.
Add me to the list. Rattle (I called it static) was occurring on both ears but significantly more on right ear. Contacted Apple support and replacements came today. Issue resolved.
You'll be getting both replaced, if you have any difficulties in getting them set up, refer to the discussion elsewhere here about incompatible firmware. When I received my replacement AirPod Pros they were different firmware and it gave me fits until I finally figured it out, with the help of several Apple Support chats. They were very good in helping out.
I went to the Apple store in Hong Kong yesterday as my left AirPod pro has experienced the clicking when I move my head or step. The guy told me that they have experienced just recently a lot of people coming in with this problem. So while they will replace the AirPod they’re not certain if the problem is hardware or firmware and can’t guarantee it won’t come back.
Chiming in, I'm affected by the same issue. First some light clicking on the left one while walking/touching, got it replaced, then a week later, the ominous rattling/static sound started showing on the other side, occasionally occuring while walking but also when touching the pod (ie to change ANC).
As with the others, it only happens when ANC is active. Gonna call support again and try to get the right one replaced now too.
As with the others, it only happens when ANC is active. Gonna call support again and try to get the right one replaced now too.
Got the replacements today and what a hassle with pairing. I followed Apples directions to let the two replacements charge together in the case for a half hour, but couldn’t get the light to go from blinking amber to white. I tried it again, no go. Then, based on what I saw online, I paired each separately, and they paired, but I couldn’t get them to pair together. Finally, checked the firmware of each individually and one was current, one was old. Unpaired the current one and set it aside. Paired the older firmware one and put on charge next to the phone. Five minutes later, it was on the current firmware. Unpaired that one, put both on charge for a minute, and finally was able to pair them together.
Our tech is not ready for all this “magic” with no way to force resets and upgrades.This would have been so easy if there was some way to force update and monitor the state of the components.
Our tech is not ready for all this “magic” with no way to force resets and upgrades.This would have been so easy if there was some way to force update and monitor the state of the components.
Good job figuring out the problem and fixing it so quickly. I had that problem too, and it took me several days to resolve.
Well said, sums up the situation nicely.
I really hope that Apple make a hardware design change to fix this, and then offer replacements to existing users: it seems every APP owner will be affected by this issue given enough use/time. But the cynic in me says they're just going to let warranty periods expire with the current model and stop offering replacements, and save the hardware fix for a new AirPods release.
Just had these replaced last tuesday and I'm hearing the crackle again. Its not as extreme as it was before but it's definitely there. I even had my buddy test it out to see if it was in my ear or if it was the air pods themselves.
I don't know if by me hearing the sound (crackle) my head is being messed with but I even hear the same crackle without the APP in my ears (left only). I have no idea but it is definitely annoying as I hear the issue in my left ear with or without the APP in. Havent used the APP in a while I only tested them when I got them and didn't have the crackle and now that I used them for a bit tonight I hear this crackle.
I don't know if by me hearing the sound (crackle) my head is being messed with but I even hear the same crackle without the APP in my ears (left only). I have no idea but it is definitely annoying as I hear the issue in my left ear with or without the APP in. Havent used the APP in a while I only tested them when I got them and didn't have the crackle and now that I used them for a bit tonight I hear this crackle.
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If the Airpods aren't even in your ear, then it's not the Airpods...
No it's definitely the air pods again friend verified that he hears the crackle also. What I hear when APP are not it is the same as when you think you feel youre phone vibrate but when you check the phone it never did go off.