How to find your lost AirPods in every possible scenario

Losing your AirPods can be a frustrating experience, but fear not! We’ve gathered all the ways you can find your AirPods using the Find My app on your iPhone or computer. In this article, we’ll walk you through various scenarios and the steps to recover your precious AirPods.

Table of Contents

Scenario 1: AirPods in Their Case, Charged, and in Bluetooth Range

While it may seem like the ideal setup for Bluetooth tracking, losing your AirPods in their case can be a bit tricky. The “Play Sound” function is not available when the AirPods are in their case, but you can still see their last known location on a map.

Open the Find My app on your iPhone or computer.
Ensure you’re on the “Devices” tab and locate your AirPods in the list of connected Apple devices.
Click on the device to view its last known location on the map. You can even get directions to that location using the Maps app.

Scenario 2: Lost AirPods Outside the Case, Charged, and in Bluetooth Range

If you misplace your AirPods while they’re outside the case and still charged, you can use the “Play Sound” function to make them emit a distress signal.

Open the Find My app and go to the “Devices” tab.
Tap on your AirPods from the list.
Click on “Play Sound.” This will work if your AirPods are within Bluetooth range and not in the case.
You’ll have the option to play the sound from the left, right, or both AirPods. Once you locate them, press the stop button to silence the sound.

Scenario 3: Lost One AirPod or Both AirPods in Different Locations

Losing one AirPod is common, but losing them in two different locations can be puzzling. Here’s how to handle the situation:

Open the Find My app and go to the “Devices” tab.
Look at the map, and it will show the location of one AirPod first. Head there if needed.
Once you find the first AirPod, put it back in the case and refresh the map. It should then display the new location of the second AirPod.
Navigate to the new location and find your second AirPod. Reunite your AirPods and breathe a sigh of relief.

Scenario 4: Lost AirPods Case

Unfortunately, the Find My app can’t locate the AirPods case, only the AirPods themselves. If you lose the case, try retracing your steps and hope for the best. If you need to replace a lost AirPod or the case:

Find the AirPods’ serial number.
Contact Apple support for a replacement. The cost will depend on the part of the model you need to replace, ranging from $59 to $99.

Scenario 5: AirPods Out of Bluetooth Range

If you lose your AirPods outside of Bluetooth range, the Find My app won’t be able to track them. In such cases, you can only hope that someone finds them and returns them to you.

Extra Tips for Finding Lost AirPods

Enable Find My: Ensure that the Find My app is enabled on your iPhone or iCloud account before losing your AirPods. This will make the tracking process easier.
Mark Your AirPods: Consider adding a unique mark or sticker to your AirPods case, making it easier to identify them if you misplace them.
Use “Find My” on a Friend’s iPhone: If you don’t have access to your own iPhone, you can log in to the Find My app on a friend’s iPhone or iPad to track your AirPods.
Keep Them in a Consistent Spot: Make a habit of storing your AirPods in a specific spot, such as a designated pocket or pouch, to minimize the chances of losing them.
Utilize the “Notify When Found” Feature: In the Find My app, you can turn on the “Notify When Found” feature for your AirPods. This will send you a notification when they are located, even if they are not in your possession.

Conclusion

Losing your AirPods can be frustrating, but with the help of the Find My app, you have a good chance of recovering them. Whether they are in their case, outside the case, or lost in different locations, following the steps outlined in this article should help you locate your AirPods and put your mind at ease. Don’t forget to enable Find My and take extra precautions to keep your AirPods safe. Happy tracking!