Airpods Max Mic Issues with Mac OS 12.6

Hi dstreever,

We understand you're noticing microphone issues when your AirPods are connected to your Mac. Are your AirPods fully charge when using the with your Mac? If not follow the article below for charging the AirPods before testing the issue.

Charge your AirPods and learn about battery life

If the issue is still present after fully charing the AirPods, try the steps for resetting the AirPods.

1. "Put your AirPods in their charging case, and close the lid.

2.Wait 30 seconds.

3.Open the lid of your charging case.

4.With your AirPods in your ears and connected to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > Bluetooth, or Settings > [your AirPods], and tap the More Info button next to your AirPods. If you don't see your AirPods in Settings > Bluetooth or in Settings > [your AirPods], just go to the next step.

5.Tap Forget This Device, and tap again to confirm.

6.With the lid open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light on the front of the case flashes amber, then white.*

AirPods charging cases

7.Reconnect your AirPods: With your AirPods in their charging case and the lid open, place your AirPods close to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Follow the steps on your device's screen".

How to reset your AirPods and AirPods Pro

Have a nice day.

Hi dstreever,

We appreciate those details.

There are a few more steps you can try that might get full quality audio to your AirPods Max: If sound quality is reduced when using Bluetooth headphones with your Mac - Apple Support

"Quit any apps that use your Bluetooth headphones' built-in microphone, then try your audio again.

Learn how Bluetooth headphones connect

If you listen to music or other audio via Bluetooth headphones, and then you open an app that uses the Bluetooth headphones' built-in microphone, the audio quality and volume are reduced. You might also hear static or popping sounds. 

This happens because Bluetooth has two modes: one for listening to higher-quality audio, and another for both listening and speaking through the microphone. When Bluetooth switches to the second mode, the quality of the audio that you're playing is reduced until the microphone is no longer in use.

Close apps that use the microphone

If sound quality is reduced when using Bluetooth headphones with your Mac, quit any apps that use the Bluetooth headphone's microphone, and make sure that the Sound pane in System Preferences isn't open.

Reselect your headphones

If audio quality is still reduced, try selecting your Bluetooth headphones again:

1. Choose Apple () menu > System Preferences, then click Sound.
2. Click Output.
3. Select Internal Speakers in the list of devices, then reselect your Bluetooth headphones."

If those don't help, reach out here for further assistance: Get Support

Take care.