With the arrival of iOS 14 Apple introduced the ability for AirPods to automatically connect to the device we are using. So if, for example, we are listening to the Applesfera Talks podcast on our Mac and they call us by phone, the AirPods will automatically connect to the iPhone to answer the call. A most useful feature, but one that we may want to disable in some devices and circumstances.
Automatic connection, but only to some devices
The AirPods auto-connect feature allows the headphones to jump and connect between our different devices. In this sense, the options to control this operation are the most interesting, because they allow us to define device by device if we want to activate the option.
First we connect our AirPods to the device we do not want them to connect to automatically. Then we follow these steps:
- We open the app Settings on our iPhone or iPad.
- We enter Bluetooth.
- We touch the “i” to the right of our AirPods.
- We played on Connect to this iPhone.
- We choose On the last connection to this iPhone / iPad.
In the case of the Mac the steps are very similar:
- We open the app System preferences.
- We enter Bluetooth.
- We played on Choices to the right of our AirPods.
- In Connect to this Mac we choose between Automatically or On the last connection to this Mac.
Thus, by repeating the process on all the devices we want, we can decide to which of our devices the AirPods will connect automatically. True, in general we will want it to be everyone, but if we take into account, for example, that shared iPad that we usually have in the living room, it will be useful if we can deactivate this option.
The automatic connection function of the AirPods, together with the Spacial Audio of the AirPods Pro, are novelties that require that we have iOS 14 as well as macOS Big Sur (currently in beta) installed.