Your AirPods show "Connected" but sound plays through your iPhone speakers?
You're not alone. This is one of the most common AirPods issues β and it's almost never hardware failure.
π Full Guide: https://mrgrid.io/guides/airpods-connected-no-audio
π οΈ Interactive Fix Tool: [CLAUDE_ARTIFACT_LINK]
π¬ Get Expert Help: https://bit.ly/ask-a-techΒ
When AirPods connect to your iPhone, two separate things happen:
1. Bluetooth establishes a connection
2. Your iPhone decides where to send audio
These are independent. Your iPhone can be "Connected" to AirPods while still sending sound to its speakers.
"Connected" doesn't mean "audio playing here." It means "available for audio."
Fix 1: Select AirPods as Audio Output (Fixes 70% of cases)
- Open Control Center (swipe down from top-right)
- Long-press the audio card
- Tap the AirPlay icon (triangle with circles)
- Select your AirPods
Fix 2: Check Automatic Ear Detection
- Settings β Bluetooth β tap (i) next to AirPods
- Verify "Automatic Ear Detection" is ON
- Clean the sensors with a dry cloth
Fix 3: Check Battery
- Open AirPods case near iPhone to see battery popup
- If either AirPod is below 10%, charge before testing
Fix 4: Forget and Re-Pair
- Settings β Bluetooth β tap (i) β Forget This Device
- Put AirPods in case, close lid, wait 30 seconds
- Open lid near iPhone, follow pairing prompts
Fix 5: Factory Reset AirPods
- Put both AirPods in case
- Hold button on back for 15 seconds
- Light flashes amber then white = reset complete
- Pair again as new
If you've tried all fixes and AirPods still won't play audio, there might be a hardware issue.
π¬ Chat with a Tech Expert: https://bit.ly/ask-a-tech
π οΈ Try Interactive Troubleshooter: [CLAUDE_ARTIFACT_LINK]
- Bluetooth Paired But No Sound β https://mrgrid.io/guides/bluetooth-paired-but-no-sound
- Bluetooth Keeps Disconnecting β https://mrgrid.io/guides/bluetooth-keeps-disconnecting
- No Sound on Windows 11 β https://mrgrid.io/guides/no-sound-windows-11
- Car Bluetooth Not Playing Music β https://mrgrid.io/guides/car-bluetooth-not-playing-music
- Bluetooth Won't Pair β https://mrgrid.io/guides/bluetooth-wont-pair
- Bluetooth Audio Delay β https://mrgrid.io/guides/bluetooth-audio-delay
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