Pixel Buds A-Series audio keeps dropping out on Pixel phones connected to Pixel Watch (workarounds inside)

11:49 am (IST): While some users noted that the bug was fixed on the beta channel, users on the stable builds, including the latest February patch, note that bug still persists.

05:46 pm (IST): The report on the official bug tracker has been marked as ‘Fixed’ with a member of the Android dev team adding that the fix is ready to be implemented in future Android updates. Additionally, users running the latest Android 14 QPR2 Beta 3 confirm that the bug has been resolved for them.

Original article follows:

In recent weeks, a growing number of Google Pixel Buds A-Series users have reported a frustrating issue where audio coming from their earbuds keeps dropping out, interrupting music playback and phone calls. The problem persists despite the earbuds remaining connected to the phone, with music continuing to play on the device, though audio fails to emit from the Pixel Buds A-Series.

The glitch seems particularly prevalent among Pixel Buds A-Series users utilizing Google Pixel phones running Android 14 and connected to Pixel Watches. However, there are also scattered reports from individuals using different earbud brands, such as Samsung and Huawei, indicating that the problem extends beyond Google’s own product line. Notably, the issue does not affect Google’s latest earbuds, the Pixel Buds Pro or Apple’s AirPods. Surprisingly, users have encountered similar difficulties when connecting their Android 14-based Pixel phones to smartwatches from other brands, including Samsung, Huawei and TicWatch, irrespective of whether these watches run on Google’s Wear OS.

Several affected users have shared their experiences, shedding light on the extent and impact of the issue. One user with a Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel Watch 2 says that “When the Google watch is on, audio to the buds will periodically and seemingly randomly just cut out. If I shut the watch off, there seems to be no issue with the buds.” Another user using a Pixel 8, Huawei FreeBuds 5, and Huawei Watch GT2 reported a similar problem during calls, stating, “During a call, the audio cut off, and the voice sounds from only one side of the headset.”

“I recently got Android 14 on my Pixel 6 phone. Today my earbuds (Pixel Buds A) keep losing connection. My phone says they are connected, but the audio just drops while listening to music on Spotify,” shared another frustrated user on a thread that now has 128 people with “I have the same question” upvotes. “Android 14 update caused constant audio drops while listening to music. Restarting, resetting, and re-pairing didn’t help,” another Pixel 6 user added.

From these reports, the common theme seems to be Google Pixel phones running Android 14 that are connected to a smartwatch and Pixel Buds A-Series. But as noted earlier, there are a few reports from people using earbuds from other brands experiencing this same issue.

Amidst the frustration, users have identified temporary workarounds. Disconnecting the Pixel Watch or any other connected smartwatch from the Pixel phone appears to resolve the audio dropout problem. Additionally, some users have reported success by using only one earbud while leaving the other in the case. Still, user experiences speak volumes of what now appears to be a broader Android 14 compatibility problem.

The fact that completely disconnecting the Pixel Watch or any other connected smartwatch appears to resolve the audio dropouts points to a potential conflict between the watch and the phone’s Bluetooth audio management. The issue might also be related to the dual audio configuration and its interaction with the Android 14 software given that using one bud also fixed it for some. But these are just mere guesses as we wait for Google’s official word.

Several affected users have escalated the issue by creating cases with Google Support, but as of now, a comprehensive solution has yet to be provided. Some have been told by support that it’s impossible to connect the watch and the buds on the phone at the same time, although this could be far from the truth given there was no problem with this setup prior to Android 14. The online community is buzzing with similar reports, and users are sharing potential fixes, signaling a collaborative effort to address this widespread problem.

As the Pixel Buds A-Series remains a popular choice among users, I expect Google to address and resolve the issue promptly, ensuring a seamless audio experience for its customers. We will keep an eye and update this article accordingly so stay glued.

Featured image: Google