If your AirPods won't connect

If your AirPods won't connect

If you need help connecting to your AirPods, learn what to do.

If you can't connect to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

  1. Make sure that you have an iPhone or iPod touch with the latest version of iOS, or an iPad with the latest version of iPadOS.
  2. Put both AirPods in the charging case and make sure that both AirPods are charging.
  3. To make sure that Bluetooth is on, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
  4. If your AirPods are connected, make sure that they're selected as your audio device. If your AirPods appear in the list of devices but they don't connect, go to the next step.
  5. Close the lid, wait 15 seconds, then open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the charging case for up to 10 seconds. The status light should flash white, which means that your AirPods are ready to connect.


  1. Hold the charging case, with your AirPods inside and the lid open, next to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  2. Follow the steps on the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  3. Test your AirPods. If you still can't connect, reset your AirPods.

If you can't connect to your Mac

  1. Make sure that you have a Mac with the latest version of macOS.
  2. Put both AirPods in the charging case and make sure that both AirPods are charging.
  3. To make sure that Bluetooth is on, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.
  4. If your AirPods are connected, make sure that they're selected as your audio device. If your AirPods appear in the list of devices but they don't connect, click the X to the right of your AirPods to remove them from the list.
  5. Close the lid, wait 15 seconds, then open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the charging case for up to 10 seconds. The status light should flash white, which means that your AirPods are ready to connect.
  6. Hold the charging case, with your AirPods inside and the lid open, next to your Mac.
  7. Follow the steps on the screen of your Mac.
  8. Test your AirPods. If you still can't connect, reset your AirPods.

 

Software requirements

  • If you have AirPods (3rd generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 15.1 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 15.1 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 8.1 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 15.1 or later; or a Mac with macOS 12 or later.
  • If you have AirPods Pro, you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 13.2 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 13.2 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 6.1 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 13.2 or later; or a Mac with macOS 10.15.1 or later.
  • If you have AirPods (2nd generation), you need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 12.2 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 5.2 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 12.2 or later; or a Mac with macOS 10.14.4 or later.
  • If you have AirPods (1st generation), you need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 10 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 11 or later; or a Mac with macOS Sierra or later.

Learn how to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch; update your Apple Watch; update your Apple TV, or update your Mac.



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