Stop AirPods automatic switching capability between Apple devices

If you’ve ever had your AirPods Pro connected to the iPhone, playing a podcast or music, and wanted to switch to the MacBook, the AirPods automatic switching capability would let you do it easily. Through it, you could transfer the audio feed between different Apple devices, as desired. In theory, it’s a feature of convenience but in reality, it leads to a lot of frustration. Follow this trick to stop random switching of AirPods Pro between your Apple devices.

How to stop AirPods automatic switching between different Apple devices?

AirPods automatic switching function was designed to give users a nifty option to move audio input between multiple Apple devices (iPhone/iPad/MacBook) running the same iCloud account. It worked well but many users preferred connecting AirPods manually when they switched devices. If you too feel the same, here’s how to stop AirPods from switching devices, altogether.

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
2. Open Settings.
3. Go to the Bluetooth settings.
4. In the list, tap the 'i' icon next to your AirPods name.
5. Select Connect to This iPhone option.
6. Instead of Automatically, choose the When Last Connected to This iPhone option.

If you're signed in with the same Apple ID on your devices, your AirPods will automatically switch from listening to music on your MacBook to answering a phone call on your iPhone.

All you must do is click Connect to confirm that you want your AirPods to switch from your MacBook or stay connected to it.

How to stop AirPods from switching devices?

Connect your AirPods to your iPhone. When connected go to the Settings and select the Bluetooth option.

Under the Bluetooth screen, locate your AirPods name and tap the ‘I’ icon as shown in the image above.

When directed to a new screen, choose the Connect to This iPhone heading.

Now, under it, simply choose the When Last Connected to This iPhone option instead of Automatically.

Instantly, your AirPods Pro automatic switching capability will be turned off. If you are not aware, the ‘Automatically' function was added in iOS 14. It’s meant to search for devices with active playback and connect to them without having to do anything. For example, If you have one playback active and switch to another device, the first playback will pause and your wireless earphones will connect to the latter device.

That's all there is to it. Hope it makes sense!

Source - Apple.