iOS 26 AirPods Not Connecting or Playing Audio? Fixed

Recently, some Apple users reported that their AirPods are not working after upgrading to iOS 26. More specifically, their AirPods cannot connect to the device or play the audio as usual. This can be frustrating if you rely on AirPods every day.

In this article, we’ll figure out why your AirPods are not working on iOS 26. After learning the causes, you’ll see how to get your AirPods working again.

Why Aren’t My AirPods Not Working on iOS 26?

If your AirPods are not working on iOS 26, you may encounter compatibility issues, faulty settings, Apple account issues, or even hardware issues. Despite hardware issues, there are possible causes you can refer to.

AirPods Not Connecting on iOS 26

• Your AirPods might not be compatible with iOS 26 due to their old firmware. Apple developed new firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 to use in iOS 26.
• Some AirPods models cannot work in iOS 26, such as AirPods generation 1 and generation 2.
• Your iPhone and AirPods are not close enough to get connected, or there are physical obstacles between them.
• Other Bluetooth devices around may interfere with the connection of your AirPods.
• There are issues with the AirPods settings.
• Some apps might refuse to detect your AirPods after upgrading to iOS 26.
• If you’re using a secondary Apple ID on your iPhone, you might face AirPod connection issues.

AirPods Not Playing Audio on iOS 26

• There are system errors or bugs in iOS 26.
• If your AirPods are on a low battery, they may not work properly.

How to Fix AirPods Not Connecting on iOS 26

In this part, we’ll demonstrate what you can do if your AirPods fail to connect to your iPhone.

Check Compatibility

Firstly, ensure that your AirPod model is compatible with iOS 26. AirPods such as AirPods (1st generation), AirPods (2nd generation), AirPods Pro (1st generation), and AirPods 3 cannot receive the firmware to function well.

If your AirPods model is not in this list, you can take the following measures to fix the problem.

Update AirPods Firmware

Before trying to connect your AirPods to your iPhone, ensure you’ve got the latest firmware. With the release of iOS 26, Apple also introduced new firmware for AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. This ensures that your AirPods can enjoy new features in iOS 26. You can check this in the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone and navigate to Bluetooth.
2. Tap the “i” button next to your AirPods.
3. Tap on the “About” option to check and update the firmware.

Put AirPods Closer to Your iPhone

To get AirPods connected, keep your iPhone and AirPods in proximity. Meanwhile, check whether there are any obstacles between these devices. If they are too far from each other or there are obstacles between them, the signal will be weakened or blocked. Besides, a close distance can also improve the stability of the connection.

Open the Lid of Your Charging Case

By opening and closing the lid of your AirPods charger, you can connect your iPhone and AirPods again. This seems to initiate the pairing process. When you open the lid of the charger, your iPhone will try to detect and connect to your AirPods again. In this way, you don’t need to re-pair your AirPods

Forget and Reconnect Your AirPods

If you still cannot reconnect your AirPods to the iPhone, you may need to forget and reconnect them. In this process, you can refresh the pairing process, removing corrupted or outdated connection data. This is critical when a new iOS system is coming. By forgetting your AirPods in the Bluetooth settings, you allow your devices to establish a fresh and clean connection.

1. Open Settings and Bluetooth on your iPhone.
2. Find your AirPods and forget them.
3. Put your AirPods back in the charging case.
4. Reset your AirPods by pressing and holding the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds.
5. Go to Settings and Bluetooth on your iPhone again.
6. Ensure the Bluetooth is turned on.
7. Open the lid of the charge case and let the iPhone detect and connect your AirPods.

Connect to the Primary Apple ID Account

Ensure you connect your AirPods to the primary Apple ID, as the features and settings are tied to the primary account. You cannot use the same features or services, including Bluetooth connections, with the secondary Apple IDs.

1. Tap on Settings and Bluetooth.
2. Find your AirPods and click on the “i” button.
3. In the “Connected to” section, you’ll see the Apple ID account your AirPods are linked to.

If your AirPods are not connected to your primary Apple ID, follow these steps to switch to the primary one.

1. Tap on “Forget This Device” to remove the AirPods.
2. Put your AirPods back in the charging case.
3. Press and hold the setup button for sound for 15 seconds. Then your AirPods will be reset.
4. Reconnect your AirPods.

How to Fix AirPods Not Playing Audio on iOS 26

Find the fixes if you can connect your AirPods but cannot play audio.

Clean Your AirPods

If there is any dirt or debris in your AirPods, clean them. Over time, earwax, dust, and other particles may accumulate in the audio ports, especially after long-term use. This buildup can affect audio output.

To improve sound quality, use a soft brush or dry cloth to gently clean the mesh and vents of your AirPods. Maintenance doesn’t take much time but helps keep them in good condition.

Check the Battery Level

Check the battery level of your AirPods on your phone. If the battery is nearly depleted, it cannot play sound. If there isn’t enough power level, put the AirPods back in the charging case and get them charged for a while.

Reset Your AirPods

Finally, reset your AirPods. No matter if you fail to connect your AirPods or your AirPods cannot play audio, you can reset your AirPods. By doing so, you can clear temporary glitches and corrupted data.

1. Place your AirPods in the charging case and open the lid of the case.
2. Find the setup button on the back of the charging case.
3. Press and hold the setup button for about 15 seconds.
4. Open the lid of the charging case and reconnect to your AirPods.

How to Fix iOS System Errors that Cause AirPods to Stop Working

The “AirPods not working” issue can also stem from iOS system problems on your iPhone. To address these potential system issues, try BuhoRepair.

This iOS system repair tool helps fix various audio and connection problems. In addition, you can use BuhoRepair to roll back to a previous iOS version if issues persist.

Step 1. Free install BuhoRepair and open it on your computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer.

Step 2. Click on the System Repair mode.

Step 3. Click Standard Repair > Repair Now and follow the onscreen instructions.

Step 4. After fixing the system issues, connect to the AirPods again.

Conclusion

It’s frustrating to find your AirPods not connecting or not playing audio when you’ve upgraded to iOS 26. Don’t worry, there are various proven ways to help your AirPods work again. No matter if it’s your AirPods’ issues or your iPhone’s errors, you can always find a solution here.