Buzz
Are people complaining that your voice sounds distorted or cuts off when using your AirPods during calls? Whether you own AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or any other model, it's frustrating to experience anything less than clear microphone quality with your premium headphones. This Mytour guide will assist you in diagnosing and resolving your AirPods microphone problems effectively.
Steps to Resolve
Inspect the Battery
If your AirPods battery is running low, it may affect the microphone performance. This is because your AirPods could be prioritizing the microphone in one of the AirPods with low battery. If your voice is intermittently cutting out during calls, place your AirPods in the charging case and charge them for at least 30 minutes before retrying.
- To check your battery level, place the AirPods into the charging case (if using AirPods original or Pro), open the lid, and hold the case close to your iPhone or iPad. In a few seconds, you'll see the charging status.
Utilize a Single Microphone
Normally, your AirPods automatically select the microphone to use. If you're experiencing issues with your microphone cutting out certain words, try disabling automatic microphone selection to prevent your AirPods from switching between microphones while you're speaking. Follow these steps:
- Go to Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Access Bluetooth.
- Tap the 'i' next to your AirPods.
- Select the Microphone option at the bottom.
- Choose either Always Left or Always Right.
- Test by making a phone call or recording a voice memo. If this doesn't improve microphone quality, switch to the other (left or right) microphone.
- Note: Using only one microphone may lead to issues if the battery in the microphone-equipped AirPod drains too low. If the microphone doesn't work with one microphone, charge your AirPods and try again.
Disable All Noise Cancellation (AirPods Pro and Max)
Many AirPods Pro and Max users find that turning off all noise cancellation modes enhances microphone quality. If background noises are louder than your voice, deactivating all special modes during calls might solve the issue. You can revert to your preferred noise cancellation mode for music or podcasts.
- Access Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Tap the 'i' next to your AirPods.
- Select Off.
Clean the Microphones and Speakers
Remove dust and dirt with a dry cotton swab. AirPods can accumulate various particles, especially in the recessed areas where the microphones and speakers are located. If debris obstructs the microphone, your voice may sound distorted or muffled during calls and recordings. Use a dry cotton swab to gently brush away debris from all recessed areas, being careful not to press too hard against the speaker mesh.
- Also, clean the case of your AirPods or AirPods Pro with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
- Avoid using sharp, abrasive, or wet materials to clean your AirPods.
- Alternatively, consider taking your AirPods to an Apple store for professional cleaning.
Inspect for Water Damage
Have your AirPods come into contact with liquids? While AirPods Pro and 3rd generation AirPods are resistant to water and sweat, other models are not waterproof. Even if your AirPods are water-resistant, they are not waterproof, meaning you should avoid exposing them to showers, saunas, washing machines, or submersion. Water ingress can render your AirPods microphone (and other features) inoperable.
- If your AirPods have been exposed to moisture, allow them to thoroughly dry in a dry environment for at least a day before attempting to use them again.
- If you have AppleCare+, you can replace water-damaged AirPods for a minimal fee.
Reset Your AirPods
'Forgetting' and re-pairing your AirPods can resolve Bluetooth-related issues. Although this action will erase any customized AirPods settings, such as button configurations, it can resolve microphone issues like cutting out, distortion, and static.
- Place your AirPods or AirPods Pro in their charging case and close the lid.
- Wait for 30 seconds, then open the lid, leaving it open.
- Access the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Select Bluetooth.
- Tap the 'i' next to your AirPods.
- Choose Forget This Device, then confirm the action.
- Press and hold the button on the back of the charging case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber and then white.
- Re-pair your AirPods by bringing them close to your phone or tablet and following the on-screen instructions.
Experiment with Transparency Mode during Calls (AirPods Pro and Max)
Trying out Transparency Mode instead of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) could be beneficial. Transparency Mode allows more ambient noise to enter while blocking out external sounds, theoretically improving what you hear rather than what others hear. Nonetheless, numerous AirPods Pro and Max users in Apple's online community suggest that people can hear them more clearly in Transparency Mode than when ANC is activated.
- To activate Transparency Mode on AirPods Pro, press and hold one of the AirPod stems until you hear a tone.
- For AirPods Max, simply press the noise control button located on the top of the earpiece next to the Digital Crown dial.
Ensure Your AirPods Firmware is Up to Date
Apple periodically releases firmware updates for AirPods. If an update is available, it will automatically install when your AirPods are powered on and connected to an iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth.
- To check the firmware version for your AirPods, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad, tap the 'i' icon next to your AirPods, and view the 'Version' section.
Ensure Your iPhone or iPad's iOS is Updated
Ensure your operating system is always up to date to receive the latest bug fixes. Apple releases a major operating system update annually, along with security and bug fixes as necessary. Sometimes these updates address issues affecting AirPods, including enhancements to audio and Bluetooth connections. To update iOS:
- Launch the Settings app.
- Select General.
- Choose Software Update.
- If an update is available, proceed with the installation.
Reach Out to Apple for Assistance
If your AirPods microphone is still malfunctioning or the quality remains poor, reach out to Apple. Visit https://getsupport.apple.com to connect with Apple's support team via live chat or phone call. Alternatively, utilize the support site to locate an Authorized Service Provider (ASP) capable of repairing your AirPods.
- Apple acknowledges certain sound issues affecting AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. If you own either model, experience static or cracking sounds, and your AirPods were manufactured before October 2020, you may qualify for free AirPods service by an Apple ASP.
