How to connect AirPods and fix AirPods not connecting to iPhone

⚡ Fast fix

If your AirPods® aren’t connecting, Asurion recommends trying these quick fixes first:

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
2. Put your AirPods in the case, close the lid for 15 seconds, then reopen it. Make sure the AirPods have enough charge to connect.
3. If they still won’t connect, press and hold the setup button on the case until the light flashes white. For AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case instead.

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Whether you’re watching a movie on a flight or trying to answer an important work call, it’s frustrating when your AirPods won’t connect. The good news? The problem is usually simple to fix.

At Asurion, when tech breaks, we fix it—whether you’re troubleshooting Face ID not working or transferring contacts to a new iPhone. Here’s how to connect AirPods to your iPhone®, iPad®, or Mac®—and what to do if they’re not connecting.

How to connect AirPods to iPhone or iPad

AirPods are designed to pair automatically, but if yours aren’t connecting, follow these steps:

1. Place your AirPods in the charging case and open the lid.
2. Hold the case near your unlocked iPhone or iPad.
3. A setup animation should appear on your device screen—tap Connect.
4. If the setup screen doesn’t appear, put the AirPods in pairing mode:
   • AirPods 1, 2, or 3 and AirPods Pro 1 or 2: Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.
   • AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3: Double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white.
5. Follow the onscreen instructions, then test your AirPods.

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Troubleshooting AirPods not connecting to iPhone

Work your way through these suggested steps to get your AirPods in sync again.

Restart your AirPods

• AirPods / AirPods Pro: Place them in the charging case, close the lid for at least 10 seconds, then open it and try connecting again.
• AirPods Max: Press and hold the Digital Crown and noise control button together until the status light flashes amber, then release.

Check Bluetooth

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is switched on (green).

Check the charge

• On the case: Put AirPods in the case and open the lid. A green light means the AirPods are fully charged, while amber means they have less than one full charge remaining. With the AirPods removed, the light shows the case's charge status.
• On iPhone/iPad: With Bluetooth on, open the case lid near your device. A pop-up can display the battery levels.
• Using the Batteries widget: Touch and hold an empty area on the Home Screen, tap Edit > Add Widget, then select Batteries to see the charge level of connected devices.

Update iOS

1. Back up your device.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi and power.
3. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
4. Tap Update Now or Download and Install if an update is available.

Confirm your connection

If your AirPods won’t connect automatically:

1. Put them in the case, close the lid for 15 seconds, then open it again.
2. On your iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Tap the AirPlay icon in the audio controls and make sure your AirPods are selected as the audio output.
3. If they’re not available, put them in pairing mode:
   • AirPods 1, 2, or 3 and AirPods Pro 1 or 2: Press and hold the setup button until the light flashes white.
   • AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3: Double-tap the front of the case until the light flashes white.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to reconnect.

Reset your AirPods

If none of the above works, reset your AirPods. The process depends on which model you have.

For AirPods 1, 2, or 3 and AirPods Pro 1 or 2:

1. Put the AirPods in the case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds.
2. Open Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad.
3. If your AirPods appear, tap the Info button next to them, then select Forget This Device.
4. Open the charging case lid.
5. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber and then white.
6. Hold the case near your device and follow the setup prompts.

For AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3:

1. Put the AirPods in the case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds.
2. Open Settings > Bluetooth and select Forget This Device if your AirPods appear.
3. Open the case lid.
4. Double-tap the front of the case while the status light is on.
5. Double-tap again when the light flashes white.
6. Double-tap a third time when the light flashes faster. Wait for the light to flash amber and then white.
7. Hold the case near your device and follow the setup prompts.

For AirPods Max:

Press and hold the Digital Crown and noise control button together for about 15 seconds, until the light flashes amber and then white. Then reconnect them to your device.

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How to connect AirPods to Mac

If you’re trying to pair AirPods with your Mac and they won’t connect, use these steps:

Check for Mac updates

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
2. If an update is available, select Update Now or Upgrade Now, depending on your macOS® version.

Check charge status

• On the case: Place AirPods in the case and open the lid. Green means the AirPods are fully charged.
• On Mac: Open Control Center > Bluetooth to view connected devices. You can also check your AirPods' battery levels in the Bluetooth menu when available.

Turn on Bluetooth

1. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth.
2. If Bluetooth is off, turn it on.

Pair AirPods with Mac

1. Put your AirPods in the charging case and open the lid. For AirPods Max, take them out of their Smart Case.
2. Put the AirPods in pairing mode:
   • AirPods 1, 2, or 3 and AirPods Pro 1 or 2: Press and hold the setup button on the case until the light flashes white.
   • AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3: Double-tap the front of the case until the light flashes white.
   • AirPods Max: Press and hold the noise control button until the light flashes white.
3. On your Mac, go to the Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth.
4. Select your AirPods from the list of nearby devices and click Connect.
5. If they still won’t connect, click the Info button next to your AirPods, select Forget This Device, then repeat the pairing steps.

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FAQ

How do I connect AirPods to my iPhone?

Place your AirPods in the case, open the lid near your unlocked iPhone, and tap Connect on the setup screen. If it doesn’t appear, press and hold the case's setup button until the light flashes white. For AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case instead.

Why won’t my AirPods connect to iPhone?

Bluetooth may be off, your AirPods may be out of battery, or they may be connected to another device. Try charging them, checking Bluetooth, and reconnecting before resetting them.

How do I reset AirPods if they won’t connect?

For older AirPods and AirPods Pro models, put them in the case, close the lid for 30 seconds, forget them in Bluetooth settings, then hold the setup button until the light flashes amber and white. AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 use a different reset process involving three double-taps on the front of the case.