Turn on your AirPods and put them in pairing mode
Before your phone can find your AirPods, they need to be discoverable. Open the charging case with your AirPods inside. On the back of the case, you'll see a small button — press and hold it for about three seconds until the light inside the case flashes white. This white flashing light means your AirPods are in pairing mode and ready to connect.
If your AirPods are already charged and you've used them before, they may try to reconnect to a device they know. Holding that button longer — about 15 seconds — will reset them completely, which clears any old connections and forces them into fresh pairing mode. You'll see the light flash amber, then white.
Leave the case open while you're pairing. Your phone needs to detect the AirPods, and an open case makes that easier. You can close it once the connection is complete.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the button on the back of your AirPods case for three seconds until the light flashes white to enter pairing mode.
- On your phone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and look for your AirPods in the list of available devices.
- Tap your AirPods name in the Bluetooth list, and your phone will connect automatically — no code needed.
- Once connected, your AirPods will reconnect to that phone automatically whenever you open the case near it.
- If connection fails, reset your AirPods by holding the case button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber then white, and try again.
Open Bluetooth settings on your phone
Your phone needs to be looking for devices to connect to. On an iPhone, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, then tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it on. On an Android phone, swipe down from the top twice to open Quick Settings, find Bluetooth, and tap it to turn on.
If you want more control, you can also go through the full Settings menu. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure the toggle is switched on. On Android, open Settings, search for "Bluetooth," and tap it, then toggle Bluetooth on. Either method works — the quick way is faster if you're in a hurry.
Your phone will now start scanning for nearby devices. This usually takes a few seconds. You should see a list of available devices appear on your screen.
Select your AirPods from the Bluetooth list
Look at the list of available Bluetooth devices on your phone's screen. Your AirPods will appear with a name like "AirPods," "AirPods Pro," or "AirPods Max" — whatever model you have. The exact name depends on whether you've renamed them before, but it will always start with "AirPods."
Tap on your AirPods name in the list. Your phone will when ready attempt to connect. You won't need to enter a code or password — AirPods pair without that step, which is one reason they're straightforward to set up.
Within a few seconds, you should see "Connected" appear next to your AirPods name in the Bluetooth list. At this point, your AirPods are paired to your phone and ready to use. You can close the charging case now.
Test the connection with sound
Play a song, video, or voice note on your phone to confirm the audio is coming through your AirPods. You should hear sound in both ears. If you hear nothing, check that the volume on your phone isn't muted or turned all the way down — swipe up or down on the side of your phone to adjust it.
If you still don't hear anything, open your phone's Bluetooth settings again and look at your AirPods. If it says "Connected" but no sound is playing, try disconnecting and reconnecting: tap your AirPods name and select "Forget This Device," then repeat the pairing steps above.
Once sound is working, your AirPods are fully set up. From now on, whenever you open the case near your phone, they'll reconnect automatically without you doing anything.
What to do if your AirPods don't appear in the list
If you don't see your AirPods in the Bluetooth list after 10 seconds, they may not be in pairing mode. Go back to your AirPods case and press the button on the back again for three seconds — watch for the white flashing light. Then return to your phone's Bluetooth settings and look again.
If they still don't show up, try resetting them completely. Hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until you see the light flash amber, then white. Wait a few seconds, then press the button again for three seconds to re-enter pairing mode. Go back to your phone and scan for devices once more.
Make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on on your phone — it's straightforward to miss. If you're using an iPhone, check Control Center or Settings. If you're using Android, check Quick Settings or the full Settings menu. Your phone's Bluetooth must be on for it to find anything.
Reconnecting after the first time
After your first successful pairing, you won't need to repeat these steps every time. straightforward open your AirPods case near your phone, and they'll reconnect on their own within a few seconds. Your phone remembers them.
If your AirPods connect to a different device — like a tablet or computer — they'll stay connected to that device until you manually switch them. To bring them back to your phone, open the case near your phone and wait a few seconds. If they don't reconnect automatically, open your phone's Bluetooth settings and tap your AirPods name again.
You can also rename your AirPods to make them easier to identify in the Bluetooth list. On iPhone, go to Settings, Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to your AirPods, and select "Name." On Android, the process varies by phone model, but you can usually long-press your AirPods in the Bluetooth list and select "Rename."
Troubleshooting common connection problems
If your AirPods keep disconnecting, the battery may be low. Place them in the charging case for at least 15 minutes and try again. A low battery can cause unstable connections even if the AirPods still have enough power to turn on.
If one AirPod isn't producing sound, try removing both from your ears and placing them back in the case for 10 seconds. Take them out and put them in your ears again. This often resets the connection between the two AirPods and fixes audio balance issues.
If your phone connects to your AirPods but then when ready disconnects, your AirPods may be trying to connect to another device at the same time. Turn off Bluetooth on any other devices nearby — a laptop, tablet, or smartwatch — and try pairing with your phone again. AirPods can only maintain one active connection at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my AirPods every time I use them?
No. After the first pairing, your AirPods automatically reconnect to your phone whenever you open the case near it. You only pair once. If they don't reconnect automatically, open your phone's Bluetooth settings and tap your AirPods name to reconnect manually.
Can I use the same AirPods with multiple phones?
Yes. Your AirPods can be paired to multiple phones, tablets, and computers. However, they can only actively connect to one device at a time. To switch between devices, open the case near the device you want to use, or go to that device's Bluetooth settings and tap your AirPods name.
What if I forgot which phone my AirPods are paired to?
Reset your AirPods by holding the button on the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber then white. This erases all previous pairings. Then follow the pairing steps above with whichever phone you want to use them with now.
Why does my phone say "Connected" but I don't hear any sound?
Check that your phone's volume isn't muted or turned down. Also check that the app or video you're playing is actually trying to send sound to your AirPods — some apps default to the phone's speaker. If the volume is up and sound still isn't working, disconnect your AirPods from Bluetooth and reconnect them.
Can I pair AirPods to an Android phone?
Yes. AirPods work with Android phones using standard Bluetooth. Follow the same steps above: put your AirPods in pairing mode, open your Android phone's Bluetooth settings, and tap your AirPods name. The connection works the same way as with an iPhone.