Airpods 4 output issues

When I answer phone calls or am on video calls on my mac, the other person can't hear me talking or can only hear my background (e.g., noises, people talking in the background) and not her me talking (but can hear someone in the distance "talking loudly"), when using my airpods4. I can hear the other person without any issues, but they can't hear me. My airpods are connected and it's only when using my airpods and not other headphones.

Posted on Nov 18, 2025 9:31 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 10, 2025 12:40 AM

Manually set the AirPods microphone to “Always Left” or “Always Right”

This bypasses the buggy automatic switching.

Mac:

  1. Click Control Center → Bluetooth
  2. Click your AirPods 4 → Settings…
  3. Under Microphone, change from:
  4. Automatically Switch AirPods →
  5. Always Left or Always Right

Test both sides — one mic is usually much clearer.

This is the #1 fix for your exact symptoms.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 10, 2025 12:40 AM in response to dc_globetrotter

Manually set the AirPods microphone to “Always Left” or “Always Right”

This bypasses the buggy automatic switching.

Mac:

  1. Click Control Center → Bluetooth
  2. Click your AirPods 4 → Settings…
  3. Under Microphone, change from:
  4. Automatically Switch AirPods →
  5. Always Left or Always Right

Test both sides — one mic is usually much clearer.

This is the #1 fix for your exact symptoms.

Airpods 4 output issues

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.