AirPods Max stutter when they detect another device?

[Scott-n-Houston]

I just bought the AirPods Max and generally like them, but notice when watching a movie on my iPad Pro, the sound will stutter every so often. I thought it was a buffering problem, but then noticed when it happens my nearby MacBook Pro (2019 model) will show the "AirPods Max Nearby" icon in the upper right corner. It's like when they're pinging or get pinged by my MacBook the sound stutters for a very brief moment.

I searched and didn't find anything like this posted. Has anyone else had this experience or was my search just a failure and there's a thread to reference?

 

[Scott-n-Houston]

Well, crickets, but for the record. I turned off "automatic detection" for each device, and the issue stopped.

 

[japanime]

The split-second dropouts are really annoying. I'll give your suggestion a try.

 

[Fravin]

I turned off "automatic detection" for each device, and the issue stopped.

Is this option in MacOS or in iPhone?

 

[Scott-n-Houston]

Is this option in MacOS or in iPhone?

Both.
When you're APM or any AirPod for that matter is connected to an iOS device, go to settings > bluetooth > then click the "i" (info) button for the AirPods.
There will be an option for "Connect to this iPhone/iPad" ... switch from automatically to "When last connected to this device".
You need to do this for each iOS device you have.
Then the same for MacOS. It's System Preferences > Bluetooth > Options (for the AirPods) > Connect to this Mac > "When last connected to this Mac"

It's kind of annoying that you have to manually switch to each device then change the option, but once done, you won't get the sound drop off when it's detected by other devices. Also you won't have it accidentally switch you anymore either.