The automatic switching of Airpods between IPhone and Apple Watch when using Voiceover has never worked as it should and the connection between the Airpods and the Watch could only be decribed as flaky at best. Fortunately, Apple appears to have resolved the problem in IOS 12.1.4 and Watch OS 5.1.3.
I reported this bug to Apple in March 2018 and I though they had decided to ignore me but finally, the bug is gone in the latest versions of IOS and Watch OS.
Once connected to both devices, you can get the Voiceover output from either device simply by touching the screen.
If you've not updated to the latest versions, this is a very good reason to do so.
Comments
Thanks
Nice to know. I have apple watch 3 and iPhone xx. Like my watch. It is nice and I just got a silver ban for my watch for $15 which normally I would have to pay $50 in amazon.
Connecting once you've upgraded
Just for clarity, once you've done the updates on your phone and watch, you'll need to go to the Control Centre on the watch and tap the Airplay button, then select the Airpods. Once this is done, your watch and phone should work as expected with Voiceover enabled.
Airpods
Maybe the next one will fix the problem. I heard that a new airpod will be out this year.
No Joy Here Either
Hi, I followed instructions and updated both my IPhone 6S+ and my Apple Watch 3. I restarted both devices, following the update, to latest IOS and Watch versions of software. I made sure that I selected my AirPods from the Control Centre, in my watch and was looking forward to everything working seamlessly. I'm afraid that there was no difference and, to swich between my phone and watch, when using my AirPods with Voiceover, I still have to activate SIRI on the device I want to move to, in order to get the AirPods to switch over.
I would really like a solution to this. Am I doing anything wrong or are there some other steps I need to follow?
apple watch
During Christmas of last year I went to apple store about my iPhone. I did asked about this issue and the guy stated that there is nothing at this time to do regarding this. Again hope the new airpod will be better regarding this.
It''s broken again
I'm devastated. After updating my IPhone and Watch, both devices were functioning as expected with Airpods and Voiceover. I was delighted.
I put my Watch on charge over night and unfortunately, in the morning, my Watch and IPhone wouldn't connect via bluetooth. I restarted both and the Airpods probelm was back. I can no longer switch beetween and connect both devices at the same time.
Oh well, at least I had a half day of what should be.
Apple watch, Airpods, and Siri
Okay, so I am slow to the draw here, but I had no idea simply invoking Siri would make the watch and/or phone go to your airpods. You don't even have to talk to Siri, just invoke it. Obviously, it should work correctly and I get that, but the fact I can quickly hold down a button and get it to go... I'm just glad to have found a shortcut. Now, I can finally hear my Apple Watch in loud public places!
My day has not been wasted. I learned something. :)