If your AirPods or AirPods 2 aren't working as you'd expect, there are a few steps you can take that will resolve most problems. The first thing to do is try resetting your AirPods.

airpodslight

Resetting AirPods

  1. Put both AirPods in their charging case.
  2. Locate the button on the back of the case, near the bottom. It's flush with the case and the same color as it, so you might need to feel about for it.
  3. Open the charging case lid.
  4. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for at least 15 seconds. The case's internal light between the AirPods will flash white and then amber, indicating the AirPods have been reset. (On AirPods 2 and Apple's optional Wireless Charging Case, this light is located on the front of the case.)
  5. Open the case near your iOS device to re-run the pairing process.

Patchy Audio Problems

If you're having issues with patchy sound or static in the earpieces, consider whether you've wandered too far from your audio source.
AirPods duo
Apple's wireless earphones can happily stream across about 100 feet, but if there are obstacles in the way such as walls, this range can be reduced dramatically.

Other electrical devices like microwaves and Wi-Fi routers can cause interference and detract from your AirPods' wireless performances, so take a good look around your environment for anything similar.

Automatic Ear Detection Issues

AirPods are equipped with proximity sensors that sense when you put them in your ears and take them out, which plays and pauses the audio source, respectively. If this isn't working for you as described, you might want to check that you have the feature enabled.

AirPods turn off ear detection
Launch the Settings app on your iOS device and tap the name of your connected AirPods, just under your Apple ID banner. (Alternatively, tap Bluetooth, then tap the circled "i" icon next to your AirPods in the list.) Make sure the Automatic Ear Detection toggle is on.

AirPods Not Connecting to iPhone

If you're having trouble getting your AirPods to connect to an iPhone or iPad that they've previously been paired to, try putting them back in their charging case and leaving them there for about 10-15 seconds, then take them out again to see if they connect this time.

iphone7plusairpods
If that doesn't work, try turning Bluetooth off and on again via the Settings app (Settings > Bluetooth > tap the toggle), then manually select your AirPods from the My Devices list to connect them.

Related Roundup: AirPods 3
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18: What to Expect From 'Biggest' Update in iPhone's History

Wednesday March 27, 2024 11:10 am PDT by
At least some Apple software engineers continue to believe that iOS 18 will be the "biggest" update in the iPhone's history, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Below, we recap rumored features and changes for the iPhone. "The iOS 18 update is expected to be the most ambitious overhaul of the iPhone's software in its history, according to people working on the upgrade," wrote Gurman, in a r...
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...
General iOS 17 Feature Orange Purple

Apple Releases Revised Versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 With Updated Build Number

Wednesday March 27, 2024 5:59 am PDT by
Apple on late Tuesday released revised versions of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 with an updated build number of 21E237, according to MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris. The updates previously had a build number of 21E236. The revised updates are available for all iPhone and iPad models that are compatible with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, but they can only be installed via the Finder app on macOS...
maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
applephilschiller

Apple's Phil Schiller Works 80 Hours a Week Overseeing App Store

Wednesday March 27, 2024 2:03 pm PDT by
With the App Store and app ecosystem undergoing major changes in the European Union, The Wall Street Journal today shared a profile on App Store chief Phil Schiller, who is responsible for the App Store. Though Schiller transitioned from marketing chief to "Apple Fellow" in 2020 to take a step back from Apple and spend more time on personal projects and friends, he is reportedly working...