Why Do My AirPods Keep Calling Someone?

Ah, the phantom call. It’s a uniquely frustrating glitch in our increasingly interconnected world. You’re going about your day, minding your business, only to discover your AirPods have autonomously dialed a contact – sometimes repeatedly! So, what’s the culprit? In the vast majority of cases, this is caused by accidental Siri activation, which then misinterprets ambient sounds or mumbled speech as a command to call someone. This can also be due to faulty touch controls, Bluetooth interference, or outdated firmware. Let’s dive deeper into the nuances of this vexing issue and how to silence those spectral phone calls.

Understanding the Root Causes

Before you start suspecting a poltergeist in your pocket, let’s break down the most likely reasons why your AirPods are dialing numbers seemingly of their own volition.

Accidental Siri Activation

This is the prime suspect. Siri, Apple’s digital assistant, is incredibly helpful, but also notoriously sensitive. If your AirPods are configured for Siri activation via voice command (“Hey Siri”), even a muffled cough, a word resembling a contact name, or the TV blaring in the background can trigger a call.

Faulty Touch Controls

AirPods have touch-sensitive surfaces used for various functions, including answering and ending calls. Sometimes, these controls can become overly sensitive or even glitchy. Imagine your AirPod brushes against your hair or clothing. That accidental touch, misinterpreted as a tap, could initiate a call to your last dialed number or a contact Siri believes you’ve requested.

Bluetooth Interference

Bluetooth, the wireless technology that connects your AirPods to your devices, can be susceptible to interference. Strong electromagnetic fields, other Bluetooth devices crowding the spectrum, or even physical obstructions can disrupt the connection. This instability could lead to erratic behavior, including unintended commands being sent to your phone via the AirPods.

Outdated Firmware

Like any piece of technology, AirPods rely on firmware – the software that controls their internal operations. Outdated firmware can contain bugs or glitches that lead to unexpected behavior, including the phantom calling phenomenon. Apple regularly releases firmware updates to address these issues, so keeping your AirPods updated is crucial.

Glitch in Connected Device

The problem might not be with your AirPods at all. Occasionally, the phone or iPad your AirPods are connected to might have a software glitch that causes it to initiate calls. This is less common, but worth considering as a possible source of the problem. Restarting your device can often clear up such glitches.

Incorrect Settings

Sometimes, the issue boils down to incorrect settings. The “Press and Hold Duration” setting in the Accessibility menu can affect how easily the AirPods’ touch controls are activated. Also, accidentally enabling features like “Call Audio Routing” to always route audio to your AirPods could contribute to accidental calls.

Troubleshooting the Phantom Calls

Now that we’ve identified the potential culprits, let’s explore some troubleshooting steps to silence those unwanted calls for good.

Disable “Hey Siri”

The simplest solution is often the most effective. Disabling “Hey Siri” for your AirPods eliminates the risk of accidental voice-activated calls. To do this:

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Siri & Search.
3. Toggle “Listen for ‘Hey Siri'” to off.
4. Also go to Bluetooth and select your AirPods.
5. Check that Siri is not configured to be activated on your AirPods.

Adjust Touch Control Settings

If you rely on the touch controls, you can try adjusting the “Press and Hold Duration” to require a longer press, reducing the likelihood of accidental activation. You can find this setting under Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Haptic Touch (the wording may vary depending on your iOS version).

Update Firmware

Ensuring your AirPods have the latest firmware is essential. AirPods typically update automatically when connected to your iPhone and charging, but you can also check for updates manually. To do so:

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
2. Go to Settings > General > About.
3. Scroll down and tap on your AirPods.
4. The firmware version will be displayed. Compare this to the latest version available online. If an update is available, simply use your AirPods as normal and connected to your iPhone. They should update automatically when charging and connected to WiFi.

Reset Your AirPods

If the problem persists, a reset might be necessary. This will clear any corrupted data and restore your AirPods to their factory settings. To reset your AirPods:

1. Place your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Open the lid.
4. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes amber, then white.
5. Reconnect your AirPods to your iPhone.

Check for Interference

Try using your AirPods in different environments to see if the problem persists. If the issue only occurs in certain locations, Bluetooth interference might be the cause. Move away from potential sources of interference, such as microwaves, wireless routers, or other Bluetooth devices.

Clean Your AirPods

Believe it or not, dirt and debris can sometimes interfere with the touch sensors on your AirPods. Gently clean the touch surfaces with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid using liquids, as this could damage the electronics.

Review “Call Audio Routing” settings

Review the call audio routing settings on your iPhone. Sometimes setting the route to always be your AirPods might be causing the issue. You can find this setting under Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing.

Contact Apple Support

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your AirPods are still making phantom calls, it’s time to contact Apple Support. There may be a hardware issue that requires professional attention.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions related to AirPods randomly calling people:

1. Can a specific app cause my AirPods to randomly call someone? While unlikely, poorly coded apps or those with microphone access could potentially trigger Siri or interfere with Bluetooth. Try closing apps one by one to see if the issue resolves.

2. Is it possible that my AirPods have been hacked? Hacking AirPods is incredibly rare. Focus on the more common causes like accidental Siri activation or Bluetooth interference. Ensuring your Apple ID is secure and using two-factor authentication is always recommended.

3. My AirPods only call one specific person. Why? This suggests Siri is misinterpreting something you’re saying or hearing as that person’s name. Try disabling “Hey Siri” or retraining Siri to better recognize your voice.

4. Does the generation of AirPods I own affect this issue? While all AirPods can experience these problems, older models might be more prone to glitches due to aging components or outdated firmware.

5. Could a faulty charging case cause this issue? A faulty charging case is unlikely to directly cause random calls. However, it could affect the AirPod’s battery life or connectivity, potentially contributing to erratic behavior.

6. How do I retrain Siri to better recognize my voice? In Settings, go to Siri & Search, then turn off and then on “Listen for Hey Siri”. This prompts you to repeat a few phrases, helping Siri learn your voice pattern.

7. Will using a different phone or device solve the problem? If the issue is with your current phone (a rare occurrence), switching to another device might resolve it. This helps isolate whether the problem lies with the AirPods or the connected device.

8. My AirPods keep disconnecting. Could this be related? Yes, frequent disconnections suggest Bluetooth interference or a problem with the AirPods’ connectivity. Address the disconnection issue first, as it might be the root cause of the random calls.

9. Can a software update on my iPhone trigger this problem? It’s possible. Occasionally, software updates can introduce new bugs. If the problem started after an update, consider waiting for a subsequent update or contacting Apple Support.

10. How do I prevent accidental taps on my AirPods? If you have first or second generation AirPods, practice using a lighter touch or adjust the “Press and Hold Duration” in Accessibility settings. The stem design on those models is prone to accidental taps. Airpods Pro and later models allow for force sensor controls which should be less prone to false positives.

11. Are there any third-party apps that can help prevent accidental Siri activation? There are no dedicated apps to prevent accidental Siri activation, but you can explore apps that provide more granular control over Bluetooth connections and device settings. However, disabling “Hey Siri” is the most reliable solution.

12. If I’m still under warranty, will Apple replace my AirPods if they keep making random calls? If Apple determines that your AirPods have a hardware defect causing the issue, they will likely replace them under warranty. Contact Apple Support for evaluation.

By understanding the potential causes and following these troubleshooting steps, you can hopefully silence the phantom calls and restore peace and quiet to your AirPods experience. Good luck, and happy listening!