AirPods Pro 3s -- No Airpods Icon MacOS (Sequoia 15.7)

Just had another idea for a possible fix: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.

NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following; 

• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed

• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)

• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically

• Disables user-installed fonts 

• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files

NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.

cmilleraz wrote:

Apple removes existing capability from devices to force an upgrade.

Apple did not remove anything. AirPods 3 require the latest versions of the operating systems to support the new features, as stated…

System Requirements

iPhone models with the latest version of iOS

iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS

Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS

Mac models with the latest version of macOS

Apple TV models with the latest version of tvOS

Apple Vision Pro with the latest version of visionOS

AirPods can be used as wireless Bluetooth headphones with Apple devices using earlier software and with non‑Apple devices, but functionality may be limited.

AirPods Pro 3 - Technical Specifications - Apple

Did you have head phones previously paired to your Mac? Ir so go into System ➙ BlueTooth settings pane and forget the head phones. Reboot and see if that helps

I have this issue as well, and Apple is seemingly clueless about it.

AirPods Pro 3 are not fully functional with anything less than iOS 26 or macOS 26. They function as generic bluetooth headphones, however:

• • They are not included in 'Find My' devices
  • The case charging sound cannot be disabled
  • The notification volume cannot be adjusted
  • There is no direct access button at the top of iOS or macOS settings dialogue

I messaged with Apple support over chat, who said my AirPods were fake. I then spoke to a second level tech on the phone who said my AirPods were defective. I then went to the Genius Bar in person and was told everything listed above should work, but they wanted to do more diagnostics. They returned with the same results I experienced, but on their bench testing devices and informed me I would have to upgrade to *OS 26.

So many levels of bs. Apple removes existing capability from devices to force an upgrade. Apple either doesn't realize this, or doesn't inform it's own support staff about the limitation (and wastes my time). Now my the option is to use some terrible liquid glass dot one beta software.

Apple did not remove anything. AirPods 3 require the latest versions of the operating systems to support the new features, as stated…

They most certainly did.

Airpods Pro 3 have less features and support in iOS 18.7 than Airpods Pro 2.

Airpods Pro 3 require iOS 26 to use features that already exist in iOS 18.7 with Airpods Pro 2. See the list in my previous post. I am not referring to any new features specific to iOS 26 or Airpods Pro 3.

Since both Airpods Pro use the same H2 chip this is clearly not a hardware limitation, but a specific implementation decision.

My claim is Apple has failed not because they've made a user hostile implementation decision, but they've done so without notifying their support staff who clearly have the same compatibility expectations as their users.

have the same problem: i've just renovated my airpods pro gen2 to pro3 and in macbook m1 2021 sequoia 15.7.1 they are showed like general headphones, what seems frustrating, because due to company policy where i work tahoe is still not approved and i cant use many features i could earlier with air pods pro gen2 ....

yes, this is the same experience I am having.

Yes same - we will need @apple to reply us