10 Best Fixes for AirPods Disconnecting From Mac

Unless the AirPods are out of battery juice, they shouldn’t randomly disconnect from your device. Especially while you’re using them. Sadly, that’s not the case for some Mac users whose AirPods connection gets disrupted at intervals. If you’re also experiencing this, we shall highlight the probable reasons why your AirPods keep disconnecting from your Mac and how to fix this problem.

If you’re wondering why my AirPods keep disconnecting from my Mac repeatedly, there could be various reasons. It could be an issue with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple ID, or perhaps something to do with your Mac itself. Regardless of the issue, here are the best solutions if your AirPods won’t stay connected to your Mac.

Note: The solutions in this guide are applicable to all generations or editions of the Apple AirPods — AirPods 1, AirPods 2, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 1, AirPods Pro 2, and the AirPods Max.

1. Restart Your Mac

Several users have complained that their Mac keeps disconnecting from AirPods. If that’s the case with you too, try a simple restart before heading to more complex solutions. Click on the Apple logo on the menu bar and select Restart. Make sure you close all the apps manually, so you don’t lose any unsaved documents or data.

Restarting your Mac can help eliminate device-related hitches responsible for the intermittent disconnection of the AirPods from your Mac. If the issues persist upon restart, try the next method.

2. Forget Your AirPods and Reconnect Them

This involves unpairing the AirPods from your Mac and reconnecting it right from scratch.

Step 1: Tap the Bluetooth icon on your Mac’s menu bar. Select ‘Open Bluetooth Preferences.’

If the Bluetooth icon isn’t on the menu bar, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and check the ‘Show Bluetooth in menu bar’ option.

Step 2: Right-click the AirPods and select Remove.

Step 3: Tap Forget Device on the prompt. The AirPods will be removed from your Mac.

The next step is to reconnect the AirPods to your Mac. Insert both AirPods into the charging case and close the lid.

Step 4: Reopen the lid and hold the setup button on the case until the status light case turns white. This puts the AirPods in pairing mode.

Step 5: Open your Mac’s Bluetooth settings menu and tap the Connect button next to the AirPods. Make sure the Mac’s Bluetooth is turned on.

Use the AirPods and check if the connection is now stable. Proceed to the next solution if the AirPods keep disconnecting from your Mac.

3. Turn Off Bluetooth on Your Phone

AirPods automatically switch between your Apple devices. So, it’s possible that your AirPods are prioritizing your iPhone or iPad over your Mac. A good way to rule this out is by turning off Bluetooth on your iPhone and iPad.

Once done, enable Bluetooth on your Mac and see if your AirPods stay connected.

4. Debug Your Mac’s Bluetooth

There’s a hidden debug menu on macOS that lets users troubleshoot and fix Bluetooth connectivity issues. Explore the following options on the debug menu and at least one should help stabilize your connection between your Mac and AirPods.

Reset Mac’s Bluetooth Module

When you reset your Mac’s Bluetooth hardware module, the Bluetooth configurations will be refreshed and active devices, disconnected. This can help to eliminate glitches causing the AirPods to disconnect from your Mac.

Step 1: Click the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar. Do this while holding the Shift + Option buttons on your Mac’s keyboard.

Step 2: Click on Debug on the context menu. If you don’t find it, disable and enable Bluetooth and you should see it.

Step 3: Next, select ‘Reset the Bluetooth module.’ This will reset the Bluetooth memory on your Mac

Step 4: Click OK on the confirmation prompt. Note that this will disconnect your Bluetooth devices.

Note: Doing this will immediately disconnect all Bluetooth devices (including the AirPods) currently active on your Mac. So, if you’re using a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse, you’ll also have to reconnect them—perhaps using a USB mouse.

To reconnect the AirPods, tap the Bluetooth icon on the menu bar, select the AirPods, and click Connect.

Factory Reset Apple Devices

What this debug option does is reset your Mac’s connection with all Apple-branded Bluetooth devices.

Step 1: Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. Do this while holding the Shift + Option buttons on your Mac’s keyboard.

Step 2: Tap on Debug. You can find it in the context menu.

Step 3: Select ‘Factory reset all connected Apple devices.’

Note: Ensure the AirPods are connected to your Mac before selecting this option.

Step 4: Click OK on the prompt to proceed.

5. Delete Bluetooth Configuration Files

In a previously published guide, we explained how deleting certain configuration files (.plist files) can reset and fix Wi-Fi connectivity issues on Mac. The same logic applies to Bluetooth-related hitches. Think of the Bluetooth preference list (.plist) as the cache files where the configuration/settings of Bluetooth devices connected to your Mac are stored. Deleting this file will restore your Mac’s Bluetooth to factory default and eliminate errors disrupting the AirPods’ connection.

Step 1: Tap Go on Mac’s homepage and select ‘Go to Folder.’

Step 2: Next, paste the path below in the box. Then, click on Go./Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth.plist

That will open the Preferences folder and highlight the com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file.

Step 3: Right-click the com.apple.Bluetooth.plist file and select ‘Move to Bin.’

Step 4: Authenticate the process. You can do so by entering your Mac’s password or using Touch ID.

Reconnect the AirPods to your Mac and check if it stays connected.

6. Disconnect Form Other Devices

While AirPods are generally meant to be used with Apple devices, you may want to use them with your Android phone or Windows PC from time to time. As a result, your AirPods will not switch automatically when trying to connect to your Mac.

To solve this, disconnect your AirPods from another device you connected it to. Once done, try connecting the AirPods to your Mac again and it should work.

7. Ensure You’re Within the Bluetooth Range

The AirPods pair and work with your Mac via Bluetooth. So, it’s important to always stay in the Bluetooth range when using the AirPods. What this means is that you need to be close to your Mac when using your AirPods. If you walk away from the Bluetooth range, after a certain point, the audio may start to fall apart and eventually, disconnect.

To avoid this, it’s best to stay as close to your Mac as possible when using the AirPods. This will ensure you’re always within the Bluetooth range and hence, don’t experience any random disconnections.

8. Log In With the Same Apple ID on Both Devices

For your AirPods to switch to your Mac from your iPhone, the devices involved must be connected to the same Apple ID. That’s one of the most important prerequisites. Follow the steps below to check your Mac’s Apple ID details.

Step 1: Click on the Apple logo on the top-left corner of your Mac’s screen. Select System Settings.

Step 2: Click on your Apple ID at the top of the left pane.

Step 3: You will see the list of your Apple products signed in to your Apple ID if you scroll down on the right side.

If your other Apple devices like iPhone and iPad don’t appear there, log in with the same Apple ID on them. Then, try using your AirPods.

9. Update AirPods to the Latest Firmware

Just like your iPhone, the AirPods run on firmware developed by Apple. The firmware on the AirPods is responsible for all the features and proper functioning of the earbuds. There is a possibility that the firmware on your AirPods is buggy, causing the AirPods to disconnect from your phone. Try updating your firmware to see if it goes away.

If there is a newer version of firmware available for your AirPods, all you have to do is put your AirPods inside the case while they’re connected to your phone. Now, connect a lightning cable to your AirPods to start charging them, and the firmware update should take place. Note that you need an iPhone to update the AirPods firmware. It cannot be done using a Mac.

10. Factory Reset the AirPods

If none of the above solutions worked, you could try factory resetting your AirPods to see if it makes a difference. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Put your AirPods into the case and charge it.

Step 2: Open the lid of the AirPods case. You should now see an orange or a green LED blnking.

Step 3: Press and hold the button at the back of the AirPods case for 15 seconds. The LED on the front of the AirPods case will start blinking white. Release the button when this happens.

Step 4: Close the AirPods case and open it again. You will get a prompt on your iPhone or Mac to connect your AirPods to it.

Go ahead and link the AirPods to see if it starts working.

FAQs for AirPods Disconnecting From Mac

Enjoy Uninterrupted Audio

If your AirPods keep disconnecting from your Mac, all you have to do is follow the solutions above and you can enjoy your music just like before. It’s surely not an enjoyable experience if one AirPods keeps disconnecting randomly. Most times, the issue is quite simple and can be fixed quickly.