Will AirPods Max USB C Allow Audio Simultaneously Over Bluetooth and Wired

By Nicholas Stanford, 24 March, 2026

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Hi all,
I'm guessing the answer to this is no, since allowing audio simultaneously from different sources is primarily a feature you see on gaming headsets. But I can't find any info on this. If I connect AirPods Max to my PC with USB, or to my XBox controler with the USB to analog cable, will they remain connected to my phone and receive audio from it? I have been trying various gaming headsets that offer features like this, but even the more audio-focused ones like the Audeze Maxwell 2 have ultimately come up short in one way or another. I was extremely happy with the lightning pair of AirPods Max cans I used to own, but sadly I had to sell them a while back. I do game some, but in my search I have come to realize I'm mostly just looking for a high quality audio product, and I will probably be getting the new AirPods Max 2 when they launch whether they have this capability or not. But I haven't decided yet and I'm gathering all the information I can. Do AirPods Max offer this capability?

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Comments

By João Santos on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - 16:53

Sorry for not commenting earlier, but the first time I read this thread's subject I thought that you wanted information about the AirPods Max 2, which I don't even think anyone owns yet, and I personally do not intend to purchase. I do have the USB-c variant of the AirPods Max, they do support USB-c audio, but once you do plug them to a USB audio source, Bluetooth is disabled. The only exception to this is when they are also paired to Bluetooth and their microphone is activated, at which case they switch to Bluetooth mode for whatever reason and work over that regardless of tethering.

By Nicholas Stanford on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - 16:59

I appreciate the response. I know the Max 2 isn't out yet, and it makes sense not to buy them if you've still got the USB C max. Since I don't they seem worth the wait for me since I like the additional feature set you get with the H2.
So when you say they switch to Bluetooth if the mic gets used, does that mean like if I'm using them with my computer and I get a call they'll switch to my phone?
Also, I know the mic doesn't work if you use the USB to 3.5 MM cable, but do the AirPods Max allow you to use the mic over a direct USB connection?

By João Santos on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - 17:15

So when you say they switch to Bluetooth if the mic gets used, does that mean like if I'm using them with my computer and I get a call they'll switch to my phone?

Also, I know the mic doesn't work if you use the USB to 3.5 MM cable, but do the AirPods Max allow you to use the mic over a direct USB connection?

No, they remain paired to the Mac, they just switch to Bluetooth during the microphone session. You can also unpair them completely, but then you only get to use them as a USB audio output device since microphone input is not supported via USB, which is totally ridiculous in my opinion.

Also, if you intend to buy the 3.5mm cable for stereo audio input, beware that the ability to act as an analog output device is only supported if AirPods Max are collected to the opposite end of the cable. Listing the USB audio devices that the cable itself makes available shows everything common to these headphones like a bunch of speakers ranging from Mono all the way to 7.1 surround, but no microphone.

By Nicholas Stanford on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 - 17:24

Why's Apple got to make everything so messy? Don't worry that's a Rhetorical question. No need to answer.