How to Connect AirPod Pros to Your iPhone

The basic process: pairing for the first time

When you turn on AirPod Pros for the first time near an iPhone, they will automatically show a pairing screen on your phone. You do not need to dig through settings or type a code. Open the charging case with the AirPods inside, hold it near your iPhone, and a white card will appear on your screen asking you to connect. Tap "Connect" and wait about 10 seconds while your phone and AirPods find each other.

If the pairing screen does not appear, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center, then tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it on. After that, open the AirPod Pro case again near your phone and the pairing screen should appear.

Once connected, your AirPods will stay paired to that iPhone. The next time you open the case near your phone, they will reconnect on their own without any action from you. This automatic reconnection works as long as Bluetooth stays on.

Key Takeaways

New AirPod Pros show a pairing screen automatically when you open the case near your iPhone for the first time — just tap Connect.
If no pairing screen appears, turn on Bluetooth in Control Center and try opening the case again.
After the first pairing, your AirPods reconnect automatically whenever you open the case and Bluetooth is on.
If your AirPods are already paired to another Apple device, you may see a menu asking which device to connect to instead of an automatic pairing screen.
You can manually reconnect AirPods by opening Bluetooth settings and tapping the AirPods name if they disconnect unexpectedly.

What to do if the pairing screen does not appear

Sometimes the automatic pairing screen does not show up, even with Bluetooth on. The most common reason is that your AirPods are already paired to a different device — another iPhone, an iPad, or a Mac. When this happens, your AirPods will connect to whichever device you used them with most recently instead of showing the pairing screen on your current iPhone.

To force them to pair with your iPhone instead, press and hold the small button on the back of the AirPod Pro charging case for about 15 seconds until the light inside the case flashes white. This erases the pairing to all devices. Then open the case near your iPhone and the pairing screen will appear. You will need to pair them again with any other Apple devices you use them with.

If you see a pairing screen but it shows a different device name, you can still tap "Connect" on your iPhone and it will switch over. You do not have to reset the case.

Reconnecting AirPods that have disconnected

If your AirPods disconnect during use and do not automatically reconnect when you open the case, open Control Center and tap and hold the Bluetooth icon. Find your AirPods in the list and tap them. They should reconnect within a few seconds.

If they still do not reconnect, try turning Bluetooth off and back on. Swipe down from the top right, tap and hold the Bluetooth icon, then tap the toggle to turn Bluetooth off. Wait five seconds, then tap it again to turn Bluetooth back on. Open your AirPod case and they should reconnect automatically.

If reconnection still fails, the AirPods may have lost their pairing entirely. In that case, reset the case using the button on the back as described above and pair them again from scratch.

Pairing the same AirPods with multiple iPhones

Your AirPods Pro can pair with multiple iPhones, but they will only connect to one at a time. When you open the case, they connect to whichever iPhone you used them with most recently. If you want to switch to a different iPhone, open Control Center on that phone, tap and hold the Bluetooth icon, find your AirPods in the list, and tap them.

The first time you pair with a new iPhone, you will see the pairing screen. After that, the AirPods will remember both phones and switch between them based on which one you last used them with. You do not need to reset the case or re-pair every time you switch phones.

If you have multiple iPhones and want your AirPods to always connect to a specific one, you can remove them from the other phones' Bluetooth settings. Open Settings, go to Bluetooth, find your AirPods, tap the info icon next to them, and tap "Forget This Device." They will no longer automatically connect to that phone, though you can still pair them manually later if you want.

Checking your AirPod battery and connection status

After pairing, you can see your AirPod battery level on your iPhone. Swipe down from the top right to open Control Center and tap and hold the Bluetooth icon. Your AirPods will appear in the list with a battery percentage next to them. This shows the charge in both the AirPods themselves and the case.

You can also see battery status on your lock screen. Some iPhones show a battery widget automatically after pairing. If yours does not, you can add one by swiping right on your lock screen, tapping the plus icon, searching for Batteries, and adding the Batteries widget.

If the battery percentage shows 0% or does not appear at all, your AirPods may not be properly connected. Try opening the case near your phone again or reconnecting through Bluetooth settings as described above.

Troubleshooting sound that comes from only one AirPod

If sound comes from only the left or right AirPod after pairing, the issue is usually a connection problem rather than a hardware failure. First, put both AirPods back in the case for 10 seconds, then take them out and put them in your ears again. This often fixes temporary connection glitches.

If one AirPod still has no sound, go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods, tap the info icon, and look at the microphone setting. Make sure it is not set to "Left only" or "Right only" — it should say "Automatic" so both AirPods work together. If it is set to one side, tap it and change it back to Automatic.

If the problem persists after trying these steps, one AirPod may have a hardware issue. You can still use the other one alone for calls and music, but you may want to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to have the defective AirPod replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair AirPod Pros every time I use them?

No. After the first pairing, your AirPods automatically reconnect whenever you open the case and Bluetooth is on. You only pair once, unless you reset the case or pair them with a completely different device.

Can I use AirPod Pros with an older iPhone?

AirPod Pros work with iPhone 13 and newer. If you have an older iPhone, they will still pair via Bluetooth, but some features like automatic ear detection and spatial audio may not work. Check Apple's website for your specific iPhone model to see which features are supported.

What if my AirPods keep disconnecting from my iPhone?

Try turning Bluetooth off and back on, or moving closer to your phone — AirPods have a range of about 30 feet. If disconnections happen in the same location, interference from other wireless devices may be the cause. If the problem continues everywhere, reset the case and re-pair your AirPods.

Can I pair AirPod Pros to my iPhone if they are already paired to my iPad?

Yes. Your AirPods will remember both devices and connect to whichever one you used them with most recently. To switch between them, open Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use and tap your AirPods. You do not need to unpair them from your iPad first.

Why does my iPhone show a menu of devices instead of connecting automatically?

This happens when your AirPods are paired to multiple Apple devices and your iPhone is not sure which one to connect to. Tap your iPhone's name in the menu and it will connect. To make it connect automatically in the future, use your AirPods with that iPhone more often than your other devices.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.