AirPods Max connectivity issue & no audio with firmware 6A325 and iOS/iPadOS 17.4.1

After 2 weeks of constant resetting of my AirPods Max, forgetting the device, letting it drain fully, recharging it to 100%, and total silence from Apple Support on the matter, I finally discovered a solution that works.

Tools you'll need - a SIM ejector tool or paperclip. Removing the ear cups from the headband and physically reconnecting them worked for me and my AirPods Max is back to normal. There's plenty of YouTube vides that show you how to remove the headband.

Why it worked? I suspect is the latest firmware updated may have screwed up my APM and resetting with the buttons is merely a software reboot. By disconnecting the earcups from the headband, you actually disconnect the battery on one side to the other logic board. Reattaching them seems to force a hardware reboot and resync. Just need to pair them again with your iPhone/iPad and you're good to go.

Just a quick update. I finally spoke to Apple Support and told them all the steps I had gone through to reset my APM including disconnecting the cups from the headband, etc. I was only getting the well known 3 amber blinks of death from it whenever I tried to reset the unit to factory. Apple confirmed it needed to be sent back for repair/replacement. I ended up forking out a fee as it was out of warranty (3.5 years old) and sent my APM back to Apple Technical Center for inspection and repair. Apple technicians confirmed there was an issue but didn't say what it was exactly (From my own research, it was likely to be the Bluetooth motherboard failing in the left ear cup). The "repair fee" wasn't cheap but it was half the price of a brand new retail unit. Apple sent me a brand new replacement unit. Life is good once again!

Yeah unfortunately it's most likely a failing logic board or corrupt firmware update. You can't buy replacement parts or re-flash the firmware yourself. Either way, you'll have to send it back to Apple Support for repair. It was still cheaper to buy a replacement set via Apple Support than retail.

Also I'm seeing constant cycling of notifications between my iOS and MBP saying "AirPods Max is now connected" even when the headphones is stored in the SmartCase, which is probably contributing to the significant drop in battery life as it's not doing into low power mode. Definitely proves to be an issue with the latest firmware and it's driving me bonkers. Any way of reporting this to Apple as I know this forum isn't monitored? For the record, my standard AirPods Gen2 aren't affected. Only the big Apple cans.

Yup, my APM is well and truly buggered. I'm getting the infamous three blinking orange lights of death, I'll only flash green when it's plugged in to charge. Won't pair anymore. Apparently it's the bluetooth board in the left ear cup that is dying or a corrupt firmware update. Unfortunately you can't buy a new part as Apple doesn't sell them to repairs. Only second parts available which is going to be risky. Anyway, I managed to log a support call with Apple and it's going back to Apple for repair for a fee (about half the cost of a new pair) but at least I'm guaranteed to get something back that works. Don't mind a refurbished pair either as mine is over 3 year old now.

I've figured out the bug report. I've tried logging the issue using the Apple Feedback Assistant website. Others with the same issue could try it as well.

Suggest reporting it using the Apple Feedback Assistant. That way if we all report it, maybe Apple will fix it.