AirPods Max getting call audio when not on my head

[PmattF]

When I have the AirPods Max off my head – flat on a table, not in the case – and a call comes in (FaceTime or Phone), the audio is going to the headphones. Are other people seeing this? Is the only way to stop it to put them in the case?

 

[sotie]

When I have the AirPods Max off my head – flat on a table, not in the case – and a call comes in (FaceTime or Phone), the audio is going to the headphones. Are other people seeing this? Is the only way to stop it to put them in the case?

I had them in a case in my suitcase in the trunk of my car on a long drive and every time I answered an incoming phone call they picked up the audio instead of CarPlay. They weren't in the Apple smart case to put them in low power mode; they were in an aftermarket case.

 

[alee]

Is head detection on? When both cups are face down on the table, perhaps the headphones sensors view this as a "on head" event. Next time, try putting the headphones on the table, but with the cups rotated to the listening position.

 

[PmattF]

I don't think they are viewing being on the table as "on head". If I am playing music, and take them off, the music stops, and if I put them back on, the music starts again. If I take them off, and put them down on the table the music does not start again.

 

[PmattF]

Doing some more testing:

• Play music through the AirPods Max.
• Put them face down on table. Music stops.
• Start music again, it comes through phone speaker.
• Answer an incoming call, audio switches to the AirPods on the table.
• Put AirPods on, then take them off and put flat on table again. Audio switches back to phone automatically.

Is this not happening for other people?

 

[mpetrides]

I have this annoyance all the time with my Beats headphones and my iPhone. When not in use I put them on a headphone stand and the still grab the audio from phone calls—not always, just some time. Luckily I can turn the Beats off when not in use—not a viable alternative with the APMs. Since my APMs won’t arrive for another couple of months, I can’t address this directly. But it definitely appears to predate the APMs.