Apple AirPods are a truly wireless audio solution, able to connect to various iOS devices via Bluetooth. AirPods have a built-in microphone that allows the user to answer calls and attend online conferences completely hands-free.
However, one major complaint that has been trumpeted by many users is that their AirPods make them sound like a robot during calls!
This might be you too, wondering:
“Why do my AirPods make me sound like a robot?”
Well, there are three most probable reasons for this.
Firstly, there may be tiny particles of dirt or debris present in the microphones, preventing them from working properly.
The second possibility is that your AirPods are currently outdated and require a firmware update in order to fix bugs that may be present.
Finally, the mobile network you are currently on may be unstable, and this can subsequently distort your voice to adopt a robot-like timbre!
Why Are My Airpods Making My Voice Sound Like A Robot?
Do you often use your AirPods to attend calls and join meetings? And do your colleagues and friends keep informing you that you sound like R2D2 or Optimus Prime?
I can assure you right now that this audio distortion is not uncommon at all when it comes to the AirPods microphone!
Many users have experienced this same issue at one time or another.
And I’m sure I don’t need to say it, but it sure can be annoying and even infuriating to keep showing up to weekly Zoom team meetings as the office robot.
What may be strange is that you can hear the other person very clearly (and very much as a humanoid).
Now, if you both sound robotic, we can pretty safely conclude that the issue is with the mobile network and not the AirPods themselves (unless the AirPods have gone extremely wonky and need to be replaced).
Therefore, what we need to do now is to determine the exact reason why it’s only your voice that constantly sounds robotic!
Luckily, there aren’t too many possibilities when it comes to this issue, and as a result, it’s pretty easy to find the cause.
The first thing to check is if the microphones on your AirPods are dirty.
In most instances, tiny particles of debris in the microphone are the culprits which change how your voice is carried and transmitted to another person.
Removing this debris and making your AirPods sparkling clean will solve this problem to a great extent.
Well, what if you’ve gotten rid of all debris by cleaning and the mic is still acting up?
In this case, it’s time to check the AirPods for a firmware update.
If you are using an earlier version of firmware while Apple has already updated to a higher one, the AirPods will not deliver their best performance.
It may even be that your voice will turn robotic for some reason! Updating the firmware is the solution in this scenario.
What if, again, none of these seems to be the problem?
It could be then that you have a bigger problem on your hands; the AirPods that you have in your possession could be a counterfeit model rather than an original.
This can happen if you bought your AirPods from untrustworthy sources (online or offline). Fake AirPods in the marketplace are made to look exactly like the real ones nowadays, and cannot be distinguished easily- that is until you use them, of course.
To confirm that your AirPods are genuine, check for its unique serial number. Enter this number onto the official Apple website to cross-check that the pair you own is indeed Apple-manufactured.
If it’s good news and you’ve been able to confirm that your AirPods are genuine (phew) but they still continue to make you sound like a robot, the last possible reason is a manufacturing defect.
Contact Apple Customer Care to raise a complaint, though there may be limits to what they are able and willing to do for you. If your warranty is still active, they may be able to replace the set and send you a new pair free of charge!
How Do I Get Rid Of The AirPods Robotic Sound?
We’ve mentioned all of the possible reasons that could cause AirPods to make you sound like a robot. Now, it’s time to look at the different ways of getting rid of the issue!
Clean The AirPods
It’s extremely important to clean AirPods (and AirPods Pro) the right way. AirPods are expensive and quite fragile; it doesn’t take much at all for these tiny earbuds to become damaged physically and stop working as a result.
Here are our best practices when it comes to tidying up your AirPods:
- Don’t ever use water to clean your AirPods!
- Instead, use a dry microfiber cloth or clean linen to wipe away any dirt and smudges.
- A water-dampened cloth can be used sparingly for tougher deposits, but make sure to wring out all excess moisture from the cloth.
- No other liquid, powder, or spray should be used to clean the AirPods.
- Do not blow into the speakers or microphone in an attempt to get rid of the dirt.
- Do not use sharp objects such as a needle or toothpick to clean the microphone or the speakers.
- Instead, use a brush with soft bristles and gently brush away any debris that may be present.
- Do not use the AirPods immediately after wiping with a damp cloth. Let them dry out naturally.
- Do not leave AirPods in direct sun or close to heat sources. The same goes for cooling sources such as fridges.
- Always place your AirPods in their case when not in use, and do not tuck your AirPods into your pocket or a bag without them!
Reset And Update Firmware
Here’s how you reset and update the firmware on your AirPods so that they are in perfect working order:
- Place the AirPods in their case and close the cover. Leave them there for a minute, and then open the cover.
- Turn on the device to which the AirPods are connected (this could be your iPhone, iPad, or iPod).
- Go to Settings -> Bluetooth -> I icon (the one beside the AirPods name).
- Select ‘Forget this device’ and tap ‘Ok’ to confirm.
- Keep the case open when you press and hold the setup button at the back of the case. Do this for around 20 seconds, or until you see the status light turning to an amber color.
- Reconnect the AirPods to your device via Bluetooth pairing. Follow the steps on the screen, and the process should be completed in less than a minute. The case should be close to the device in order for them to pair easily.
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In Summary
AirPods are great little devices with impressive audio quality and truly wireless Bluetooth connectivity.
However, they can make you sound like a robot at times when answering calls or speaking in conference calls.
This is annoying for sure, but thankfully nothing to get too worried about!
Firstly, simply check whether your network connectivity is good.
If it is, the next step is to check if the AirPods microphones have debris stuck in them, and to clear that out carefully if that’s the case.
Finally, check for any firmware updates and reset your AirPods. After you have carried out all of the above steps, you should no longer sound like a robot- finger’s crossed!
If the issue does persist even beyond that, don’t hesitate to contact Apple Customer Care for further assistance (and a possible replacement).
Headphones are one of them. Want to know what the other 14 Most Essential Smartphone Accessories are this year? Click HERE to find out!