AirPods Max USB-C Lossless mode not working on any device (iOS 18.5 beta + macOS 15.5 Beta)

Question

Created 2w

Replies 2

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Participants 2

I’m experiencing a persistent issue with the new USB-C lossless audio feature on AirPods Max (firmware 7E101). I’m using original Apple USB-C to USB-C cable and have tested this setup across multiple Apple devices, including: • iPhone (running iOS 18.5 beta) • iPad Pro with USB-C • MacBook Pro (15.5 Beta)

❗️Problem:

Despite Apple’s announcement that AirPods Max now support wired lossless audio over USB-C, I’m unable to get any audio output via USB-C on any device. • On iPhone: I disabled Bluetooth, connected via USB-C — no sound. • On MacBook: The device is shown as “AirPods Max USB Audio” in System Information > USB, but it does not appear in Sound settings or Audio MIDI Setup as an available output. • On iPad Pro: Same behavior — no audio output.

Other details: • I performed a factory reset of the headphones, but the LED flashes red instead of the expected amber → white sequence. (Apple’s documentation does not mention red flash behavior during reset — might indicate an error state.) • The issue is not isolated to the iOS 18.5 beta — since the same behavior occurs on macOS and iPadOS.

What works: • Bluetooth audio still works fine. • The cable and USB-C ports function with other audio devices.

⸻

Summary:

It looks like: • USB audio is being detected on a hardware level (at least on Mac), • but software support for output (especially on macOS/iPadOS) is either not implemented, disabled, or bugged — possibly connected to iOS 18.5 beta or broader OS-level limitations.

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Answer 1

DTS Engineer OP

Apple

2w

We appreciate your interest in participating in the forums! These forums are for questions about developing software and accessories for Apple platforms. Your question seems related to a consumer feature and is better suited for the Apple Support Communities. Unless is because you are using beta software, beta software should be only to test you apps instead of connecting Apple devices.

https://discussions.apple.com/welcome

Albert Pascual   Worldwide Developer Relations.

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Answer 2

NoQuestions OP

2w

I appreciate the response — but I need to point out that I was originally redirected to the Developer Forums by Apple Support because I’m using the iOS 18.5 beta.

Now I’m being told to go back to the Support Communities, which creates a frustrating loop where no one takes actual responsibility for helping resolve the issue.

I’m not here to waste anyone’s time — I’m reporting a real and reproducible problem involving the new USB-C audio feature on AirPods Max (firmware 7E101), which is not working across multiple devices (iPhone, Mac, iPad).

Instead of being passed from one forum to another, I’d really appreciate if this issue could be escalated to the appropriate engineering or QA team so it can be properly looked into.

Thanks for your understanding, Andrei

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