If your AirPods fail to connect to your iPhone, iPad, or even your Mac, you might wonder, have my AirPods given up on me? Do I need to invest in a pair? Should I invest in a new pair? Well, the good news is that there’s a high chance that your AirPods aren’t broken – there’s probably just some technical problem with them that can be easily solved.
So, why won’t your AirPods connect? It could be for a number of reasons: your AirPods are not charged, you don’t have the right OS, the Bluetooth isn’t turned on, or you might need to pair them again.
AirPods are more than just your regular Bluetooth headphones. They’re designed with innovative features that your iPhone or iPad can use to provide you with a unique experience. This is why it can be really frustrating when your AirPods don’t connect.
So, if you’re having trouble connecting your AirPods to your Apple device, read on as we cover the possible reasons and fixes.
Why Your AirPods Won’t Connect
AirPods are quite reliable – they connect automatically, and pairing them is also not a problem. So, if your AirPods aren’t connecting to your iPhone or Mac, here are some possible reasons and what you can do to fix the issue.
Reason #1: You Don’t Have the Right OS Version
If you haven’t connected your AirPods to your iPad, iPhone, or Mac before, make sure you have the required OS for your AirPods. For instance, first-gen AirPods require iOS 10 or later and macOS Sierra or later, while you need iOS 12.2 or later and macOS 10.14.4 or later for second-gen AirPods.
You can simply fix this problem by updating your device.
To update your iPhone or iPad:
- Open “Settings.”
- Go to “General” and then “Software Update.”
- Here, you’ll be able to see your device’s iOS version along with an update if it is available. Download and install this update.
- Once you update your device, the AirPods should be able to connect.
To update your Mac:
- Open the Apple menu and go to “System Preferences.”
- Next, click on “Software Update.“
- Finally, click on “Update Now” if there are updates available.
Reason #2: Your AirPods Are Dead
This seems very obvious, but it can happen. This is why you need to ensure that your AirPods are charged. For that, put the AirPods back in the charging case and let it charge for around an hour or two.
Once the light on the case turns green, you know your AirPods are fully charged. You can then take them out and try connecting them.
Reason #3: Your Bluetooth Is Switched Off
Bluetooth connections can sometimes get glitchy. Make sure the Bluetooth of the device you want to connect to is switched on. To do that, open the Control Panel of your iPhone or iPad and see if the Bluetooth icon is blue. If it isn’t, that means your Bluetooth is switched off.
Alternatively, you can open the Settings app and switch on Bluetooth from there. And if you love to use Siri for everything, you can just use voice command and ask Siri to switch on the Bluetooth for you.
If your Bluetooth is on, but the AirPods fail to connect, simply restart your iPad or iPhone. In most cases, simply restarting your device solves the problem!
Reason #4: One of Your AirPods Could Be Malfunctioning
AirPods work independently of each other, and they can fail to connect to your device if one of them is faulty. And you can find that out by removing one AirPod at a time from its charging case and checking if it connects to your device.
If only one connects to your iPhone or iPod, you know where the problem lies. You can then work on fixing that.
How To Get Your AirPods To connect
If your AirPods still refuse to connect, there are some other fixes you can try out.
Fix #1: Repair Your Device
The first thing you should do is reset your AirPods and then pair them up again with your Apple device. By factory resetting your AirPods, you can wipe their memory; they’ll go back to their default settings, and it’ll be like you never used them.
To reset and repair your device:
- Place the AirPods in the charging case.
- Close the lid and wait for around thirty seconds.
- Once the 30 seconds are up, open the lid and keep it open for the following steps.
- On your device, go to “Settings” and then “Bluetooth.”
- Find your AirPods from the list of Bluetooth devices.
- Next to your AirPods, you’ll see an icon for More Info (an “I” in a circle). Tap on that.
- Tap on “Forget This Device” and “Confirm.”
- While keeping the lid open, press and hold the setup button present on the back of the AirPods case for around 15 seconds. Wait until you see the status light flashing amber and then turn white.
- Once the light turns white, that means your AirPods have been reset. You can now pair them with your iPad or iPad.
- Place the case near your device, and if the connection is successful, there will be a pop-up on the screen with further instructions on connecting the AirPods.
- All you now have to do is follow the steps, and you’ll be good to go!
Fix #2: Get in Touch With Apple
If you’re still unable to connect your AirPods after trying all the possible fixes listed above, we suggest you get in touch with Apple. Most AirPods come with a limited one-year warranty from the time of purchase, so if your AirPods are still under warranty, you can get them fixed without any extra cost.
You can book an appointment with Apple by using the Apple Support app on your iPad or iPhone. Or you can schedule an appointment at the Genius Bar if you live near an Apple Store.
Summary
It can be very frustrating when your AirPods fail to connect to your device. But there are some very common reasons and fixes for it – make sure your iOS is up-to-date, your AirPods are charged, and your Bluetooth is switched on. And if all of these don’t work, just reset your AirPods, and hopefully, they’ll connect with your device!
