Why Do My AirPods Keep Disconnecting Mid Call And How To Fix It

If you've ever been in the middle of an important phone call, only for your AirPods to suddenly cut out—leaving you fumbling with your phone or repeating yourself—you're not alone. This frustrating issue affects countless AirPods users across models and iPhone generations. While Apple markets its wireless earbuds as seamless and reliable, real-world usage often reveals inconsistencies, especially during calls. The good news is that most disconnection problems have clear causes and straightforward solutions.

Understanding why your AirPods drop connection mid-call starts with recognizing how Bluetooth operates in dynamic environments. Unlike wired audio, wireless transmission depends on signal strength, device compatibility, software health, and even physical placement. When any one of these factors falters, your AirPods may disconnect unexpectedly. The root cause could be something as simple as low battery or outdated firmware—or as complex as Bluetooth interference from nearby devices.

This guide breaks down the most frequent reasons behind AirPods disconnections during calls and provides actionable, step-by-step fixes. Whether you’re using first-generation AirPods or the latest AirPods Pro, these strategies will help restore reliability and confidence in your daily use.

Common Causes of Mid-Call Disconnections

AirPods rely on Bluetooth 5.0 (or later, depending on model) to maintain a stable link between your earbuds and your connected device. However, several factors can disrupt this connection, particularly during voice calls, which demand consistent two-way audio transmission. Below are the most prevalent culprits:

• Bluetooth interference: Other wireless devices—Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, smart home gadgets—can emit signals in the 2.4 GHz band, competing with Bluetooth.
• Low battery: Even if one earbud has low charge, it may disconnect independently, breaking the call link.
• Outdated firmware: AirPods receive background firmware updates through your iPhone. If your device hasn’t updated recently, your AirPods might run on buggy software.
• Poor Bluetooth handshake: Sometimes, the initial pairing becomes unstable over time, especially after iOS updates or switching between multiple Apple devices.
• Physical obstructions: Walls, pockets, or even your body can block the Bluetooth signal when you move away from your phone.
• Multidevice switching: If you're logged into iCloud across multiple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac), AirPods may automatically switch inputs, dropping your current call.

These issues aren't always obvious. For example, you might not realize your AirPods firmware hasn’t updated because the process happens silently in the background. Or you might assume your Wi-Fi router isn’t affecting audio when, in fact, overlapping frequencies degrade Bluetooth performance.

Tip: Keep your iPhone within three feet of your head during calls to minimize Bluetooth signal loss.

Step-by-Step Fixes to Stop AirPods from Disconnecting

Before jumping to conclusions about hardware failure, try these systematic troubleshooting steps. Most mid-call disconnections can be resolved without visiting an Apple Store.

1. Restart both your AirPods and iPhone. Place your AirPods in the case, close the lid for 30 seconds, then reopen. Restart your iPhone by holding the side button and either volume button until the power slider appears. After rebooting, reconnect and test a call.
2. Check battery levels. Open the case near your iPhone to see the battery widget. Ensure both earbuds and case have sufficient charge. A single earbud below 10% may disconnect under load during a call.
3. Forget and re-pair your AirPods. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods, and select “Forget This Device.” Then, press and hold the setup button on the back of the AirPods case until the status light flashes white. Reconnect them as if new.
4. Update your iPhone’s iOS. Outdated operating systems can cause Bluetooth stack issues. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.
5. Ensure AirPods firmware is current. Firmware updates occur automatically when your AirPods are connected to an iPhone and charging. To check version numbers: Settings > Bluetooth > [AirPods] > i > Firmware Version. Latest versions vary by model but should generally be 6A300 or higher for older models, and newer builds for AirPods Pro and 3rd gen.
6. Disable automatic ear detection. This feature uses sensors to pause audio when you remove an earbud. But if the sensor malfunctions, it may falsely detect removal mid-call. Turn it off via: Settings > Bluetooth > [AirPods] > i > Disable \"Automatic Ear Detection.\"
7. Reset network settings. This clears all saved Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth configurations. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Note: You’ll need to re-pair all Bluetooth devices afterward.

After completing these steps, conduct a test call in a quiet environment. Speak for at least five minutes while moving slightly around the room to simulate real conditions.

Do’s and Don’ts: Best Practices for Stable AirPods Performance

Prevention is key. Once you’ve fixed the immediate issue, adopt habits that reduce future disconnections. The table below outlines essential practices to follow—and avoid.

Do’s	Don’ts
Keep your iPhone and AirPods charged above 20% before long calls.	Don’t leave your phone in a bag or another room during calls.
Store AirPods in their case when not in use to preserve battery and firmware state.	Don’t expose AirPods to moisture or extreme temperatures.
Use only one AirPod at a time if the other consistently disconnects (mono mode).	Don’t attempt DIY cleaning with sharp objects or liquids inside the earbuds.
Regularly clean the microphone and speaker mesh with a dry, soft brush.	Don’t ignore recurring firmware update prompts on your iPhone.
Turn off noise cancellation temporarily if experiencing instability on crowded networks.	Don’t pair AirPods with non-Apple devices frequently—iOS integration is optimized for stability.

Tip: Clean the microphone ports weekly with a dry cotton swab to prevent muffled audio and dropped connections caused by debris blocking sensors.

Real-World Example: How Sarah Fixed Her Daily Call Drops

Sarah, a project manager based in Austin, relied on her AirPods Pro for back-to-back Zoom and client calls. Over two weeks, she noticed increasing disconnections—sometimes mid-sentence. She assumed her AirPods were defective and considered buying a replacement. Instead, she followed a structured diagnostic process.

First, she ruled out battery issues: both earbuds stayed above 50% during calls. Next, she checked for iOS updates and found her iPhone was running an older version of iOS 16. After updating to iOS 17.5, the problem persisted. She then forgot the device and re-paired her AirPods. Still, intermittent drops occurred.

The breakthrough came when she disabled “Automatic Ear Detection.” Sarah realized she often tilted her head while taking notes, and the motion triggered the sensor to think she had removed the earbud. With the feature off, her AirPods remained connected throughout calls—even during active gestures.

Additionally, she began placing her iPhone on her desk instead of in her pocket, reducing Bluetooth obstruction. These two changes eliminated 95% of her disconnections. The remaining occasional drop was traced to her Wi-Fi router, which she moved farther from her workspace, reducing frequency overlap.

“Many AirPods issues aren’t hardware failures—they’re environmental or configuration mismatches. A methodical reset and awareness of usage patterns solve most cases.” — Jordan Lee, Senior Support Technician at Apple Authorized Service Provider

Advanced Tips and Hidden Settings

Beyond basic troubleshooting, several lesser-known iOS features can enhance AirPods stability during calls.

Enable Voice Isolation

If you're on a call in a noisy area, wind or ambient sound can force your AirPods to work harder, increasing processing load and potential lag. Enable Voice Isolation to reduce background noise: During a call, tap the microphone icon and choose “Voice Isolation.” This focuses the mic on your voice and reduces strain on the audio pipeline.

Switch Microphone Source Manually

By default, AirPods alternate microphones based on which earbud is in use. However, if one mic is blocked or damaged, it may cause dropouts. Set a fixed mic source: Settings > Accessibility > AirPods > Microphone. Choose “Always Left” or “Always Right” to bypass auto-switching.

Limit Automatic Device Switching

If you own multiple Apple devices, AirPods may try to connect to whichever is most active. This can interrupt calls if your iPad starts playing audio. Disable automatic switching: Settings > Bluetooth > [AirPods] > i > Connect to This iPhone > When Last Connected to This iPhone.

Use Mono Audio for Critical Calls

If one AirPod consistently disconnects, use mono audio to route sound to the stable earbud. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio/Visual > Mono Audio. This ensures you don’t miss parts of the conversation if one side fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my AirPods disconnect when I move my head?

This is often due to the optical sensor or motion accelerometer detecting movement as removal. Sweat, hair, or hats can interfere with sensor accuracy. Try disabling Automatic Ear Detection in the Bluetooth settings menu.

Can third-party apps cause AirPods to disconnect?

Yes. Some VoIP or conferencing apps (like WhatsApp, Slack, or Google Meet) manage audio sessions differently than native Phone or FaceTime apps. They may not optimize Bluetooth resource allocation, leading to instability. Test with a standard iPhone call first to isolate the issue.

Are certain AirPods models more prone to disconnections?

Older models (AirPods 1st and 2nd gen) use earlier Bluetooth chips and lack some spatial algorithms found in AirPods Pro and 3rd generation. However, proper maintenance minimizes risk across all models. AirPods Pro (2nd gen) with H2 chip generally offer the most stable call performance.

Final Checklist: Prevent Future Disconnections

To ensure lasting reliability, follow this monthly maintenance checklist:

• ✅ Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.
• ✅ Verify AirPods firmware is up to date.
• ✅ Clean earbuds and case with a dry microfiber cloth.
• ✅ Re-pair AirPods if connection feels sluggish.
• ✅ Test call quality in different environments.
• ✅ Disable Automatic Ear Detection if false triggers occur.
• ✅ Keep devices within close proximity during calls.

Conclusion

Mid-call disconnections with AirPods are more common than Apple advertises, but they’re rarely a sign of permanent hardware failure. In most cases, the issue stems from correctable software, environmental, or behavioral factors. By understanding how Bluetooth works, applying targeted fixes, and adopting best practices, you can reclaim reliable, uninterrupted calling.

Start with the basics—restart, re-pair, update—and progress to advanced settings like microphone control and mono audio if needed. Small adjustments often yield dramatic improvements. Your AirPods were designed for seamless communication; with a little care, they can deliver exactly that.

💬 Have a fix that worked for you? Share your experience in the comments and help others troubleshoot their AirPods issues.