How-To

How to Reset Your AirPods

By Brian Burgess

Published October 12, 2022

AirPods are great, but when they stop working, your first step is to consider resetting them. Take a look at how to reset your AirPods using this guide.

Are you having trouble with your AirPods? For instance, are they cutting out or pausing too often, are your streams skipping, is noise cancellation not working, or is some other issue causing you to miss your favorite songs or podcasts?

If that’s the case, your first step is to consider resetting your AirPods. Resetting them can often eliminate any software issues and get your AirPods to start working.

If you want to know how to reset your AirPods, follow the steps below.

How to Unpair AirPods

If your AirPods or AirPods Pro are connected to your iPhone or iPad, you need to start by unpairing them.

Note: This article covers unpairing your AirPods from your iPhone or iPad. However, if yours are connected to other devices like Android, a Roku device, or a Windows 11 PC, the idea is essentially the same.

To unpair your AirPods:

1. Open Settings from the home screen.
2. Select Bluetooth from the menu.
3. Find your connected AirPods and tap the information (i) icon next to them.
4. Now, scroll down the menu and tap the Forget This Device option.
5. When warned, tap the Forget This Device option.

How to Reset AirPods

With your AirPods unpaired from your device, it’s time to reset them. Before continuing, make sure that both AirPods have been in the charging case with the lid closed for at least 30 seconds.

After that, open your AirPods case lid, then press and hold the reset button on the back of the case. It’s the circular button in the center of the case’s rear side. Hold it until the status light blinks red and then flashes white.

Note: You may need to hold the reset button for up to 20 seconds to complete the reset.

How to Re-pair Your AirPods

Once the indicator light on the case steadily flashes white, it’s time to re-pair the AirPods. Make sure that Bluetooth is switched on your device for this to work.

To pair your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the AirPods case lid and hold it near your iPhone or iPad.
2. Begin the setup process by tapping the Connect button on the AirPods notification on your screen.
3. Follow any additional on-screen instructions.
4. Choose if you want to set up Siri now or do it later.
5. Decide if you want calls and notifications announced or customize the settings.
6. Tap Done and begin using your AirPods with your iPhone or iPad.

Resetting Your Apple AirPods

Now that you’ve reset your AirPods, you can start using them. With any luck, the steps above will fix whatever problem you were having with them. It’s also worth noting that unpairing your AirPods isn’t always required to reset them. However, Apple recommends that you do, as it’ll ensure a fresh connection with your device.

Apple AirPods aren’t just for listening to music. For example, you can skip songs with AirPods or you can switch noise canceling on. You can also add AirPods to the Find My app if you need to keep track of them.