AirPods Pro 2 have a big problem on Google Pixel 6 and 7, but there’s a fix
‘Hey Google, what’s going on with my AirPods?’
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Applehas always been happy to tout the compatibility of its AirPods earbuds with Android phones, but the company’s newly releasedAirPods Pro 2buds aren’t currently working properly with Google’s latest Pixel handsets.
Several users onReddithave reported encountering audio problems when using their AirPods Pro 2 withGoogle Pixel 6andGoogle Pixel 7devices. Specifically, a bug with A2DP offloading – which refers to the process of decoding audio sent over Bluetooth – is causing audio to weaken and stop after around 90 seconds of playback.
It’s not yet clear whether the A2DP issue is onGoogle’s part or Apple’s, but users are clearly frustrated by the incompatibility of these supposedly top-of-the-range devices. “Freakin Google,” one Reddit posterwrote, “I never had an issue with the OG AirPod Pros.”
Luckily, there’s a fix for the issue – but it’s only a temporary solution, and one that comes at the expense of audio quality. If you’re experiencing the bug, head to the Developer Options menu in your Google Pixel and hit the ‘Disable Bluetooth A2DP hardware offload’ button (see below).
Doing so will, unsurprisingly, disable Bluetooth A2DP, which in turn shifts the audio compression responsibility onto your phone instead of the earbuds themselves. This slightly lowers the quality of the audio, but at present it seems to be the only way to keep AirPods Pro 2 earbuds functioning with the latest Google Pixel devices for longer than 90 seconds.
As9to5Googlenotes, if the issue is occurring on Apple’s end, it’ll create another headache for Pixel-using AirPods Pro 2 owners, since the only way to update AirPods with software patches is to pair them with iOS or macOS devices. If it’s a Google-related issue, it’s safe to assume that Google will roll out a simple fix to Pixel users soon.
Compatibility bug notwithstanding, both the AirPods Pro 2 and Google Pixel 7 have impressed us so far. We awarded the former four-and-a-half stars in ourreview, calling the AirPods Pro 2 “a hugely worthwhile upgrade from Apple.”
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As for the Google Pixel 7, wesaidthat its distinct design, creative and capable camera, and intelligent user experience make it a great value-for-money flagship to buy in 2022 – so here’s hoping that either Google or Apple makes both devices work better together soon.
Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion.
Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.
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