AirPods Pro ‘automatically disconnecting’ or ‘deleted from Bluetooth devices list’ after 4E71 update! Here’s what you can do

Since its debut in 2016, AirPods have gained in popularity. Despite their tremendous sales statistics, they are not without flaws. Disconnection concerns have plagued AirPod users since its inception. At first, the unexpected ‘Airpods Pro disconnecting’ or ‘deleted from Bluetooth devices list’ may not seem a big deal. However, as time passes, the issues grew more vexing. This is especially true if AirPods Pro disconnecting glitch surfaces in the middle of a crucial phone conversation. It can transform a seemingly simple phone conversation into a series of call-backs. It also gets frustrating when the user assumes that Apple will release a fix in its next stable update.

The recent 4E71 update rolled out to Airpods Pro was one such. However, according to many accounts, the 4E71 update reintroduced connectivity glitches. Specifically, many AirPods Pro devices are immediately disconnecting randomly following the 4E71 rollout.

Today, we’ll examine why your AirPods could be unplugging, getting these messages ‘automatically disconnecting’ or ‘deleted from Bluetooth devices list’ frequently as well as the best remedies to these pestering issues.

AirPods Pro disconnecting issue

Is AirPods Pro connection a complete fiasco? Many AirPods Pro customers are presently experiencing a problem in which earphones disconnect every few minutes or even seconds. Furthermore, the mobile device continues to remove the AirPods Pro from the list of Bluetooth devices. As a result, it becomes frustrating when one has to repeatedly replicate the pairing procedure many times in a day.

Airpods Pro disconnecting issue from iPhone when one picks up a call or joins a meeting be it on Webex or zoom is rampant and ever-growing. Strangely the behaviour doesn’t repeat while listening to music. In fact, people on tvOS are also complaining about random disconnect glitches. While watching a show on tvOS, the AirPods Pro have been found to get disconnected or even get connected to iPhone or iPad without reason. People are also complaining of Airpods Pro being removed from the list of Bluetooth devices. Current AirPods Pro connection difficulties reveal themselves during calls as well.

According to most accounts, the update to version 4E71 is to blame for the AirPods Pro disconnecting troubles. Unfortunately, updating the AirPods Pro to the latest software update is unavoidable. This is an automated procedure that occurs at random when you use them.

@Apple @AppleSupport your latest update to the AirPods lineup (4E71) has rendered them entirely useless. They disconnect and erase from the Bluetooth pairings within 5 minutes of being paired. Please send out another update to fix this so our products function as intended.
@Coreax

Apple support has responded with the following tweet about the Airpods Pro disconnecting issue. This is not very comforting though and not a permanent solution.

Is there any solution to AirPods Pro disconnecting issue?

Various possible workarounds may assist to address or lessen the AirPods Pro disconnecting glitch. To start with the basics and for the newbies, keep the battery levels of Airpods optimal. It is usually found that Airpods Pro disconnect automatically from paired devices if they run out of battery or even at the lower end of charge. Let’s have a look at the other possible workarounds that have been found to work for many.

Solution 1: Reestablish Contact with configured iPhone

If your AirPods start disconnecting from your iPhone only a few moments ago, reconnecting both devices can assist. Simply place your AirPods or AirPods Max in the Charging Case or Smart Case, wait a few seconds, and then remove them to reconnect them.

Solution 2: Maintain a closer relationship between your AirPods and iPhone

This may seem apparent, but the more you travel away from your iPhone, the more likely it is that your AirPods may lose connection. Keep your distance from your associated device to less than 30 feet and you should be alright.

Solution 3: Turn off and on Bluetooth on iPhone

Disabling and reactivating Bluetooth on your iPhone can resolve minor technical difficulties and assist in the resolution of AirPods-related connectivity issues. Simply open the iPhone’s Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen or up from the bottom) and hit the Airplane Mode icon. To reactivate Bluetooth, wait up to 10 seconds before touching the Airplane Mode symbol again.

Solution 4: Turn off Automatic Ear Detection

Automatic Ear Detection is a function that recognizes when your AirPods are inserted into your ears. However, it may cause the sound to disconnect, particularly if you squirm with the left or right AirPod while wearing them. If your AirPods aren’t staying linked to your iPhone, turn off Automatic Ear Detection.

Click the Info icon next to your AirPods in Settings > Bluetooth. Then, uncheck the Automatic Ear Detection box.

Solution 5: Turn off Automatic Switching

When you start to play music, AirPods automatically swap between Apple devices as of iOS 14. If you have a spare iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you should disable this feature to avoid unexpected disconnects.

Click the Info icon next to AirPods in Settings > Bluetooth. Then, pick When Last Connected to This iPhone from the Connect to This iPhone menu. You must do this for each iOS and iPadOS device you possess.

On a Mac, navigate to System Preferences > Bluetooth and click the Options button next to your AirPods. Then change the Connect to This Mac setting to When Last Connected to This Mac.

Solution 6: Prevent Wireless Interference

Wireless interference might potentially cause your AirPods to malfunction. Examine your surroundings for common sources of interference, such as improperly insulated power connections, microwave ovens, wireless speakers, and so on. If this is the case, you should avoid them.

Solution 7: Firmware Update for Your AirPods

If your AirPods aren’t staying connected, outdated device firmware could be the cause. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone and go to Settings > General > About > AirPods to see if the Firmware Version is up to current.

A quick internet search—or a visit to the AirPods’ Wikipedia page—should yield the most recent firmware version.

To begin updating the firmware on your AirPods, connect the earbuds or headset to a source of power. Then, keep your iPhone nearby and wait at least 30 minutes before returning. In the meanwhile, your AirPods may have been updated.

Solution 8: Your iPhone should be updated

The most recent iPhone iOS upgrades include several bug fixes that may remedy connection difficulties with your AirPods. To upgrade your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If there are no outstanding updates, restart your iPhone instead. Drag the Power symbol to the right in Settings > General > Shut Down. Wait 30 seconds after the gadget has shut down before restarting it.

Solution 9: Reinstall Your AirPods

If you continue to have problems with your AirPods sporadically disconnecting, you should reboot them. Place the AirPods in either the Charging Case or the Smart Case. Then, hold down the Status button (or, on the AirPods Max, both the Noise Control button and the Digital Crown) until the light flashes amber. You’ve completed the reset. Remove the AirPods and complete the onscreen instructions on your iPhone to reattach them.

Solution 10: Reset the Network Configuration

Resetting your iPhone’s network settings should resolve any faulty network-related settings that are blocking the device from properly interacting with your AirPods.

To do so, navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset and choose Reset Network Settings. Then, enter your device’s password and tap Reset Network Settings once more. Reconnect your AirPods following the reset method to see if the problem reappears.

In the end, I would like to share the guidelines by Apple Communities Support if you encounter such an AirPods Pro disconnecting issue – Resolve Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues caused by wireless interference.

Solution 11: User Tried and tested

Though Apple will soon be releasing an update to fix the nagging issue, meanwhile people have come up with their own versions of the fix. Check out one such below, pretty detailed out. For some, it has worked after reading and for the rest, it did not solve the issue.

Some even have reported that the iOS 15.5 beta update on iPhone has fixed the issue.

As per Apple Support, the bug is affecting random AirPods/Pro and on prima facie, the problem appears with the Apple id. The devs are trying to figure out the root cause behind the issue and one can expect a future firmware or OS update to fix it.

Summing It Up

Apple has yet to publish a formal statement about the random AirPodsPro disconnecting bug and people are hoping that it doesn’t get repeated in the upcoming Airpods Pro 2. The solutions provided above should have assisted you in resolving difficulties with the AirPods Pro disconnecting. If not, you’re most likely faced with a hardware fault, which requires you to approach Apple for help.

Did the remedies listed above for AirPods Pro disconnect solve your problem? Please let us know in the comments below and I would love to hear if some other workaround worked for you!