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?
By Nicholas Stanford, 24 March, 2026
Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories
Comments
Nope
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.
Thanks. Quick followup.
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?
Follow-up answers
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.
Wow...
Why's Apple got to make everything so messy? Don't worry that's a Rhetorical question. No need to answer.
Steel series headphones
Headphones like some of the steel series I think nova 7 if memory serves do have this feature. However a way to somewhat pull this off would be to root the audio of one device say phone to mac then connecting it to the mac but this comes with its own quirks. That, or getting a mixer but this would mean another piece of hardware which might not be worth it.
Already Returned a Nova 7
Hello,
Like I said in my original post, I'm aware that this is a feature largely reserved for gaming headsets, which does make sense. I've tried both a Steel Series Arctis Nova 7 and a Logitech G Astro A50, both of which have simultaneous bluetooth and wired or 2.4 ghz wireless capabilities. Unfortunately they are vastly inferior products to AirPods Max in several ways that are important to me. First, they both only use the SBC bluetooth audio codec, which means you might as well not bother to use them as a bluetooth headset for anything but the most basic needs. Second, the Arctis Nova 7 are medeocre sounding headphones with an absolutely dreadful microphone. Third, while the Astro A50 sound very nice and have a superb microphone, they cannot be used outside the range of their wireless base station even for Bluetooth, because the bluetooth connection connects your phone to the base station which then sends it to the headset over its proprietary wireless protocol. Finally, neither of these headsets are as feature-rich as an actual pair of headphones, which is what I will be needing them for much more often than for gaming. I've got a cheap Logitech G headset that sounds alright if for both headset and mic if I need it, but honestly now that I've got the new Cloudgear app for cloud gaming and remote play on my iPhone I primarily use that to remote play from my XBox, and then I'm just gaming with my AirPods anyway. It's just a sad fact that most gaming headsets are not great for other uses like music listening, and if I'm going to splurge on a nice headset I've come to the conclusion that I prefer one that does music well and plays nice with my iPhone. I'm mostly asking the questions I asked just so I know what using it for my gaming needs will look like ahead of time.
I thought they airpods max were good value for price!
Apparently I was wrong.
Thank you @everyone, if I'd ever bought those it would have been under the assumption of being able to use audio + microphone with wired too.