Fix Guide: Bluetooth Audio Stuttering on macOS Tahoe
Symptom: Your AirPods or Bluetooth speakers "stutter," crackle, or disconnect randomly when using macOS Tahoe.
Why this happens
Tahoe 26.x features a new "High Fidelity" audio handoff system. On Macs with many USB 3.0 devices connected, the 2.4GHz interference combined with Tahoe's aggressive Bluetooth power saving causes the audio stream to drop packets.
Fix 1: Kill the Bluetooth Daemon (Free)
Force the system's Bluetooth controller to restart without rebooting your Mac.
**Open Terminal**
Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
**Run Kill Command**
Type: `sudo pkill bluetoothd`
Your Bluetooth will disconnect for 3 seconds and then automatically reconnect.
Fix 2: Reset the Bluetooth Module (Free)
**Open System Settings**
Go to **Bluetooth**.
**Remove Device**
Click the "i" next to your stuttering device and select **Forget This Device**.
**Re-Pair**
Put your headphones in pairing mode and reconnect.
Fix 3: The Automated "Clean" Audio Path
When background processes are "fighting" for the Bluetooth antenna.
Recommended Tool: CleanMyMac X
- **Optimization Module:** Finds and disables "Launch Agents" from old apps that might be trying to ping the Bluetooth controller in the background.
- **Maintenance Scripts:** Running "Run Maintenance Scripts" helps clear the system logs that can log-jam the Bluetooth communication service.
[Link: Fix Bluetooth Stutter with CleanMyMac X]