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matthew_mateo
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

AirPods Disconnect When Playing Audio in Any Web Browser on iPhone

AirPods Pro 3 disconnect whenever a webpage starts playing audio


I’m experiencing a very strange issue with my AirPods Pro 3 and my iPhone 18 Pro.


The problem has been happening since around May 2026. At that time, I was using an iPhone 15 Pro and AirPods Pro 2, and I experienced exactly the same issue.


I have now upgraded to an iPhone 18 Pro and AirPods Pro 3, but the problem is still there.


The AirPods work perfectly in all other apps, including YouTube. However, whenever I play audio from a website in a browser, the AirPods disconnect almost immediately when the audio starts playing.


I tested this with:



  • Safari


  • Chrome


  • Brave


  • Aloha Browser

The exact same issue occurs in all four browsers.


I also tested another pair of Bluetooth headphones with the same iPhone and the same websites. They work perfectly without disconnecting.


So the problem seems to be specific to the combination of AirPods + web browser audio on iOS.


Things I have already tried:



  • Clearing Safari history and website data


  • Disabling Safari extensions


  • Forgetting and re-pairing the AirPods


  • Restarting the iPhone


  • Testing multiple browsers


  • Testing other Bluetooth headphones

Nothing has fixed the issue.


The most confusing part is that the problem existed with my previous iPhone 15 Pro + AirPods Pro 2 setup and continues with my new iPhone 18 Pro + AirPods Pro 3 setup.


Has anyone experienced the same problem? Could this be an iOS/WebKit issue related to Bluetooth audio from web browsers?

Posted on Sep 23, 2026 3:51 PM

2 replies

PreCognition
User level: Level 6 (12,236 points)

Sep 26, 2026 6:20 PM in response to matthew_mateo

Since this followed you across two iPhones and two generations of AirPods, I wouldn’t suspect defective AirPods. It also doesn’t necessarily prove it’s a WebKit problem; the common part could be iOS audio routing or an AirPods setting carried over with your Apple Account.


One thing I’d check while it happens: open Control Center and look at the AirPlay/audio output. Do the AirPods actually disappear from Bluetooth, or does the audio simply switch back to the iPhone? That distinction would help narrow this down.


I’d also try Settings > AirPods > Connect to This iPhone > When Last Connected to This iPhone instead of Automatically. Apple’s automatic switching can move AirPods between Apple devices signed in to the same account.


Also check the AirPods firmware under Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods > About. Apple currently lists 9A348 as the latest firmware for AirPods Pro 3.


Apple explains automatic switching here: Switch your AirPods to another device - Apple Support


Given everything you’ve already tested, I wouldn’t reset the iPhone or AirPods again at this point.

matthew_mateo Author
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Sep 27, 2026 3:01 PM in response to PreCognition

The AirPods actually disconnect completely. If I tap them to reconnect, they connect for about one second and then disconnect again. However, as soon as I close the browser (for example Safari), everything immediately goes back to normal and the AirPods work perfectly again.

This happens in every browser I’ve tested. The firmware version also matches — it is 9A348.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256363748