Unpair, restart, or reset your AirPods (2024)

Table of Contents

AirPods User Guide

  • Welcome
    • Which AirPods do I have?
    • Get the right fit with AirPods (3rd generation) or AirPods Pro (all generations)
    • AirPods controls
    • Pair AirPods with an Apple device
    • Pair AirPods with a non-Apple device
    • Charge AirPods or AirPods Pro
    • Charge AirPods Max
  • Rename your AirPods
    • Play audio on AirPods (1st or 2nd generation)
    • Play audio on AirPods (3rd generation)
    • Play audio on AirPods Pro (all generations)
    • Play audio on AirPods Max
  • Control Spatial Audio and head tracking
    • Share audio on iPhone or iPad
    • Share audio on Apple TV 4K
  • Switch AirPods between Apple devices
    • Set up Siri
    • Use Siri with AirPods (1st or 2nd generation)
    • Use Siri with AirPods (3rd generation)
    • Use Siri with AirPods Pro (all generations)
    • Use Siri with AirPods Max
    • Make and answer calls with AirPods (1st or 2nd generation)
    • Make and answer calls with AirPods (3rd generation)
    • Make and answer calls with AirPods Pro (all generations)
    • Make and answer calls with AirPods Max
  • Listen and respond to messages
    • Change settings for AirPods (1st and 2nd generation)
    • Change audio settings for AirPods (3rd generation)
    • Change audio settings for AirPods Pro (all generations)
    • Change audio settings for AirPods Max
  • Switch between noise control modes
    • Get started with accessibility features
    • Set headphone accommodations
    • Play the same sound in both of your AirPods
    • Play background sounds
    • Use Live Listen
    • Customize Transparency mode
    • Change force sensor, Touch control, or button settings
    • Adjust the volume of sound effects
    • Locate your AirPods
    • Mark AirPods as lost
    • Turn on the Find My network for supported AirPods
    • Get separation alerts if you leave your AirPods behind
  • Unpair, restart, or reset AirPods
    • Important safety and handling information
    • Find more resources for AirPods
    • FCC compliance statement
    • ISED Canada compliance statement
    • Ultra Wideband information
    • Class 1 Laser information
    • Apple and the environment
    • Disposal and recycling information
  • Copyright

If your AirPods aren’t working right, first make sure the device they’re paired with is up to date. Then try unpairing, restarting, or resetting them.

Unpair AirPods

  • On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings Unpair, restart, or reset your AirPods (1), tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen, then tap Forget This Device. This removes the AirPods from all the devices where you’re signed in with the same AppleID.

  • On AppleWatch: Go to the Settings app Unpair, restart, or reset your AirPods (2)> Bluetooth, tap Unpair, restart, or reset your AirPods (3), then tap Forget Device to remove AirPods from all devices where you’re signed in with the same AppleID.

  • On Mac: Choose Apple menu Unpair, restart, or reset your AirPods (4)> System Settings, click the name of your AirPods in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down), then click Forget this Device.

  • On AppleTV: Go to Settings Unpair, restart, or reset your AirPods (5)> Remotes and Devices> Bluetooth, then select your AirPods. Select Forget this Device.

Note: After removing your AirPods, you must pair them with a device associated with your AppleID to use them again.

Restart AirPods

If your AirPods aren’t working right, try restarting them.

Do one of the following:

  • AirPods (all generations) or AirPodsPro (all generations): Put the AirPods in their case, then close the lid for a minimum of 10 seconds.

  • AirPodsMax: On the right headphone, press and hold the DigitalCrown and the noise control button at the same time until the status light next to the charging port flashes amber (around 10 seconds), then immediately release the buttons.

    Important: If you hold the buttons longer than around 10 seconds, AirPodsMax return to factory settings.

Return AirPods to factory settings

If your AirPodsaren’t working correctly after you restart them, you can return them to their factory settings.

Do one of the following:

  • AirPods (all generations) or AirPodsPro (all generations): Put the AirPods in their case, close the lid, then wait 30 seconds. Open the lid, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.

  • AirPodsMax: On the right headphone, press and hold the Digital Crown and the noise control button at the same time until the status light next to the charging port changes from flashing amber to flashing white (around 15 seconds).

See the Apple Support article If your AirPods won’t connect.

See alsoPair AirPods with an Apple devicePair AirPods with a non-Apple deviceRename your AirPods

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Unpair, restart, or reset your AirPods (2024)
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