Anyone who uses Apple wireless headphones knows how easily they connect to the iPhone. So, the user does not need to spend a lot of time and effort, because AirPods will connect to the smartphone almost instantly. Users note that over several years of operation, there are actually only a few cases where wireless headphones did not connect automatically. And even then, simply deleting them from the phone and reconnecting helped fix the problem. We can safely say that over the years of its existence, AirPods have shown that they are ready to work smoothly with any Apple device, as well as with gadgets from other manufacturers.
However, if everything is so rosy, then why does the problem arise that the iPhone does not see AirPods, and many are looking for how to fix this? This article will help you solve the problem. We'll tell you what to do if your smartphone doesn't see your headphones, or if one headphone doesn't work, which happens extremely rarely. The tips will work for any generation of AirPods, including the very first ones.
Reasons why AirPods do not connect to iPhone
There may be several reasons why wireless headphones do not connect to your smartphone. But first of all, try to simply unplug your AirPods from your iPhone and reset the settings on them. If this does not help solve the problem, pay attention to other possible problems:
- Your AirPods may be low on battery;
- Sometimes a simple reboot of the smartphone can help;
- Check for the latest software update;
- Check if the Bluetooth function is turned on on your smartphone;
- Turn on/off airplane mode;
- Check the performance of AirPods on other gadgets;
- Check that your wireless headphones are original, since now on the market you can come across a large number of Chinese copies that are as similar as possible to headphones from Apple.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with our range and buy a used iPhone in Kyiv (refurbished) at a very affordable price.
Make sure you are using the correct version of iOS
If you have never connected this pair of AirPods to your iPhone or iPad before, you should make sure that the device meets the minimum system requirements. To communicate with first-generation AirPods, your iPhone or iPad must be running iOS 10 or later. And to communicate with a second-generation headset, you will need at least iOS version 12.2. To check which version of iOS is installed on your iPhone or iPad:
1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General and select About this device.
3. In the “Software Update” section, you can check for available updates and install them if necessary.
♥ ON TOPIC: Tap on the iPhone cover - take a screenshot: how to assign actions to touching the back of the iPhone case.
How to connect AirPods to iPhone for the first time or after formatting
To connect AirPods to your iPhone for the first time, you just need to unlock your smartphone and open the case with the wireless headphones. At the same time, make sure that the indicator on the case lights up white, and if nothing blinks, just press the button for a couple of seconds. Next, a notification should appear on your smartphone asking you to connect wireless airpods. Click on the “Connect” item.
After this, the indicator on the case will turn green, and the smartphone will display data about the connected AirPods, such as the charge level of the accessories and the case.
By clicking the “Done” button, you can safely use AirPods for their intended purpose. In the future, they will be able to connect to your smartphone on their own after you take them out of the case and insert them into your ears.
If you are connecting headphones for the first time
To connect wireless earbuds via Bluetooth, you must comply with the manufacturer's mandatory requirements for device compatibility:
| Headphone models | OS version on iPhone |
| A1523/A1722 – first generation AirPods | iOS 10 and later |
| A2032/A2031 – second generation AirPods | iOS 12.2 and later |
| A2084/A2083 - AirPods Pro series models | iOS 3.2 and later |
If the operating system version on your iPhone is older than that required to pair with the headphone model you are using, you must first update the system.
If the AirPods were previously paired with another device, it is recommended to reset the settings of the previous connection. The order of manipulations is as follows:
- Place the earbuds in the charging case to recharge the batteries.
- Wait until the indicator on the case body lights up green. The indicator, depending on the model, can be located outside or inside the case.
- Without removing the earbuds from the case, press and hold for a few seconds the special button located on the outside. Hold the button for a few seconds until the LED turns white and starts flashing.
- After resetting the old connection, pair the “ears” with the desired gadget.
AirPods do not connect to iPhone - what to do?
It happens that the iPhone does not see the AirPods, or the headphones do not want to connect automatically after connection. It is also impossible not to note errors of another kind, when the user receives a message about “connection failure” or “these are not your AirPods.”
Some simple steps can help get rid of these errors:
- Remove AirPods from the Bluetooth/Forget Device connection list;
- Reset your AirPods and try connecting again.
You may be interested in other articles on our blog: Basic features of AirPods: how to rename the device and other additional functions that not every user knows about
Ways to damage device identification data and recovery methods
Wireless connection. We transmit the “passport” via Bluetooth. When the signal strength is insufficient, some data is lost. What is the reason for the drop in signal strength? This is another conversation, which concerns low-quality cases for the case and for the iPhone, which can jam the signal. Let's add faulty Bluetooth modules and antennas here, after which we can get corrupted identification data.
Damage during the process of reading, storing or writing. Random “glitches” of devices are familiar to everyone. There is not a single device in the world that is not susceptible to negative influence factors - static electricity, powerful electromagnetic waves, etc. Surely you have had cases when you go to a data folder in some directory of your smartphone or computer, open an old file that was written down long ago, and there it is not at all what it was before - all the characters have turned into a caricature or confusion. This is data corruption that is caused by software failures. And failures occur as a result of:
- Short circuit of the conductors of the components used to connect the headphones.
- Loss of contact due to oxidation or rupture of the conductor as a result of shock or moisture.
How to unlink AirPods from iPhone
In fact, the only solution to the problem is to remove AirPods on the iPhone and reset the AirPods settings. And if these methods do not help you, then with a 90 percent probability the cause of the breakdown is mechanical.
First, you need to remove your AirPods in settings. To do this, go to the main settings menu and select “Bluetooth”. Opposite the AirPods there should be an “i” mark that you need to click on. After that, select “Forget this device” and confirm your actions.
The second step is to reset your AirPods. On all versions of AirPods, this procedure is exactly the same.
- You need to put the two headphones in their proper places in the case;
- Keep the case open and press the button continuously for 15 seconds;
- After the indicator on the case lights up orange 4 times, the settings will be reset and you can no longer press the button.
- Try reconnecting the wireless headphones to your iPhone, as mentioned in the steps above.
Rebooting the headphone case
The headset does not have a physical reset button, but it is located on the case. The headphones automatically turn on and pair with your devices.
- To reboot the headset, simply put both headphones in the case, close the lid and leave them there for 15 seconds.
- Now take the AirPods out of the charging box again, hold the settings button on the box until the white indicator appears and try connecting the accessory to the iPhone.
This method often helps users solve pairing problems.
AirPods don't connect to iPhone automatically
If you've completed the process of pairing your AirPods with your smartphone, but when you put the AirPods in your ears, they don't connect, don't worry. First of all, see if they are charged. Next, turn off and turn on Bluetooth on your phone again. Ultimately, you can try restarting your smartphone.
If these methods do not work and the airpods still do not connect to the smartphone, try resetting the settings and “forget the headphones”, and then carry out the connection process again, as indicated above.
Turn off Bluetooth completely.
If the above two solutions didn't help you, go to Settings ⟶ Bluetooth and tap the Bluetooth switch to turn it off completely. (Do not use Control Center.)
After a few seconds, turn on Bluetooth and try connecting your AirPods again. (Open the lid of the AirPods charging case. You will see your AirPods under MY DEVICES. Tap your AirPods.)
It shows the error “not your AirPods”
When you opened the case with AirPods, brought them to your smartphone and saw the line “not your AirPods” or “AirPods are not connected to this iPhone,” then this may be the case:
- The notification appeared when the user tried to connect AirPods that were linked to another smartphone;
- The notification appeared when the user tried to connect AirPods, which were linked to his iPhone, but were once deleted in the settings without the process of resetting the headphones.
You can deal with this problem in a matter of minutes; you just need to carry out the process of resetting the headphones, as described earlier.
Problems at the software level
If the headphones are fully charged, but the connection is still in question, the problem can be found at the software level. The principle of pairing is that the headphones in new connection mode allow you to find and communicate with a new device that is currently searching for Bluetooth devices. Meanwhile, the iPhone, which finds the headphones, sends identification data about itself that is stored in the headphone memory. This data is a reusable pass for reconnecting your smartphone. Having received such data, the headphones can connect to “already familiar devices,” because this iPhone is about. You can then reconnect previously paired devices without having to put the headphones into new pairing mode. Your iPhone receives a conditional “passport” of the headphones the first time they are paired. What is this “passport”? This is a set of specific data that carries general information about the device, such as the manufacturer and model of the device, as well as various encrypted microcodes that are intended to confirm the originality of the device. If even one character or bit of data is lost or damaged, the reading device cannot in any way confirm the correctness of the data for further correct operation.
One AirPods earphone does not work - what to do
The situation when one of the AirPods does not work is quite rare. However, if this does happen, it is often due to a non-working earphone. All users of wireless headphones from Apple know how these accessories do not tolerate any hint of moisture, or especially water, and this can cause damage.
If one AirPods does not work for you, even though you carried out a reset process, but this did not solve the problem, then there is only one solution - buying new headphones or one earphone. Repairs can cost more or almost the same as buying new ones.
In general, practice shows that any problems with AirPods that could not be solved by resetting and reconnecting are mechanical damage. In any case, try the above steps, and also test the wireless headphones on other devices. If the reason is still mechanical, then there is only one way out - run to the service center.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with this topic in more detail: In 2022, at an autumn presentation, Apple may show a brand new Mac Mini based on the M1X chip
Force reset AirPods
If the above methods did not help you solve the problem, then try rebooting the headphones:
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your iPhone.
- Place both earbuds into the charging box and close the lid.
- Place your phone next to the headset.
- When you open the case lid, your iPhone will display “Connect.” At this point, press and hold the settings button on the AirPods case.
- A connection animation will appear on the phone screen.
- Until the headphone charge level appears on the iPhone screen, do not release the button on the box body.
- Click "Done".
