Apple in March 2019 launched second-generation AirPods that include several new features over the original models, including the ability to wirelessly charge using third-party charging pads. In October 2019, it then launched AirPods Pro, which offer the same functionality.

airpods wireless charging pad

Third-party charging mats from the likes of Anker can charge AirPods 2 and ‌AirPods Pro‌

Apple also launched a Wireless Charging Case for use with first-generation AirPods, so if you bought a pair of new AirPods with Wireless Charging Case, or you purchased a Wireless Charging Case separately, then keep reading to learn how the charging procedure works.

How to Charge Your AirPods or AirPods Pro Wirelessly

New Apple AirPods usually come fully charged out of the box, but at some point during use you'll hear a tone when your AirPods' batteries are low, and another tone just before they run out.

When that time comes, it's time to charge your AirPods. Simply putting them back in the case usually does the trick – the case holds multiple, full charges for your AirPods, allowing you to charge on the go. But at some point the charging case will also become depleted, and then it will need charging too.

qi charging pads 926
Apple's Wireless Charging Case, second-generation AirPods, and ‌AirPods Pro‌ can be charged with almost any Qi-compatible charging mat or stand (although we've heard scattered reports of AirPods incompatibility with some Mophie chargers). If you don't have a charging accessory and are wondering which one to buy, check out our roundup of the best Qi-compatible charging mats and stands for Apple devices. At any rate, here's how the charging procedure works.

  1. Place the case on the charger with the status light on the front of the case facing up (or towards you if you're using a stand). Note that you can charge your case with or without your AirPods inside.
    airpods wireless charging status light

  2. The status light should turn on for several seconds, then turn off as it continues to charge.
  3. If the light doesn't turn on when you put it on the charging mat, try repositioning the case.

If you have trouble getting the case to charge, check that the cable is firmly plugged into the charging mat and that the other end is correctly plugged into a power outlet. If the case still isn't charging, don't forget that you can also charge it by plugging the supplied Lightning cable into the Lightning connector on the bottom, and the other end of the cable into a USB charger or port.

Checking Your AirPods Battery Life

You can check the battery status of your AirPods by opening the charging case lid with the AirPods inside and holding the case close to your iPhone. The charge status of your AirPods and their case should appear on the device's screen, and if you take out an AirPod, you'll see individual percentages for the two earpieces.

how to check AirPods battery life on iPhone
You can also check the charge status of your AirPods using the Batteries widget in your ‌iPhone‌'s Today View, accessed by swiping right on the Lock screen or on your Home screen's first screen of apps.

A fully charged Wireless Charging Case will provide AirPods with more than 24 hours of listening time, or up to 18 hours of talk time. If you charge AirPods for 15 minutes in the case, you get up to 3 hours of listening time or up to two hours of talk time. If you charge your ‌AirPods Pro‌ for 5 minutes in their case, you get around 1 hour of listening time or around 1 hour of talk time.

Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
macbook pro blue green

M5 MacBook Pro No Longer Coming in 2025

Thursday July 10, 2025 12:38 pm PDT by
Apple does not plan to refresh any Macs with updated M5 chips in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the M5 MacBook Pro models in late 2025, but his newest report suggests that Apple is "considering" pushing them back to 2026. Apple is now said to be...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive These Five Perks

Wednesday July 9, 2025 9:20 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, did you know that Apple offers you five perks beyond the extra storage space, at no additional cost? Here are the perks included with all iCloud+ plans:Private Relay keeps your Safari browsing history entirely private from network providers, websites, and even Apple. Hide My Email generates unique, random email addresses whenever needed. Hom...