AirPods fail to connect when Bluetooth is off, the pairing is broken, or your phone doesn't recognize them
When AirPods stop connecting, the problem is usually one of three things: Bluetooth is disabled on your phone, the AirPods have forgotten your phone, or your phone has forgotten the AirPods. The fix depends on which one it is, but you can test each in order without tools or apps. Most connection problems clear up in under five minutes once you know what to look for.
The fastest way to start is to check whether Bluetooth itself is on. Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad (swipe down from the top right), and look for the Bluetooth icon. If it appears grayed out or off, tap it to turn it on. On Android, swipe down twice to open Quick Settings and tap Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is already on, move to the next step.
Key Takeaways
- Check that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's Control Center or Quick Settings before troubleshooting anything else.
- If your AirPods appear in the Bluetooth list but won't connect, forget them and re-pair by holding the setup button on the case for 15 seconds.
- Restart both your AirPods and your phone by placing the AirPods in the case, waiting 30 seconds, then restarting your phone.
- If one AirPod connects but the other doesn't, place both in the case, wait 15 seconds, then remove them and wait for both to show in your ear.
- Distance, interference from other devices, and low battery on the AirPods can all prevent connection even when pairing is set up correctly.
Forgetting and re-pairing your AirPods
If Bluetooth is on but your AirPods don't show up in the list of available devices, they may have lost the pairing. The fastest fix is to reset the AirPods themselves. Place both AirPods in the charging case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds. Then open the case, press and hold the small button on the back of the case (the setup button) for 15 seconds until the light inside flashes amber, then white. This erases the pairing from the AirPods.
Now your AirPods are ready to pair fresh. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and look for your AirPods in the list. Tap the name to connect. On Android, open Settings, go to Connected Devices or Bluetooth, and tap the option to pair a new device. Hold your AirPods case near your phone with the lid open. Your phone should find them within 10 seconds. Tap to connect, and you should hear a chime in both ears when the pairing is complete.
If your AirPods still don't appear in the Bluetooth list after resetting, they may not be in pairing mode. Repeat the setup button hold (15 seconds until white flashing light) and try again. If they appear but won't connect after you tap them, move to the next section.
When your AirPods appear but won't actually connect
Sometimes your phone sees the AirPods in the Bluetooth list but the connection fails or drops when ready. This usually means your phone remembers the old pairing but something is corrupted. The fix is to forget the AirPods from your phone's side, then re-pair them fresh.
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the information icon (i) next to the name, and select "Forget This Device." On Android, go to Settings, find Bluetooth or Connected Devices, locate your AirPods, and tap the option to forget or unpair. After you forget them, restart your phone by powering it off and back on. Then open your AirPods case near your phone, and the pairing prompt should appear automatically. Tap to connect.
Fixing one AirPod that won't connect
If one AirPod connects but the other stays silent, the issue is usually that the disconnected one has lost sync with its partner. Place both AirPods back in the case, close the lid, and wait 15 seconds. Then remove both and wait for them to connect. You should see both appear in your Bluetooth settings within 10 seconds, and you should hear audio in both ears.
If only one AirPod still connects after this, the disconnected one may have a low battery. Place it back in the case to charge for at least 15 minutes, then try again. If the same AirPod consistently fails to connect, it may have a hardware problem and may need replacement through Apple or your retailer.
Restarting both your AirPods and your phone
A full restart clears temporary glitches that prevent connection. Start by placing both AirPods in the case and closing the lid. Leave them there for 30 seconds, then remove them. Next, restart your phone: on iPhone, hold the side button and volume button together until "slide to power off" appears, then slide. On Android, hold the power button until a restart option appears, then tap it.
Wait for your phone to fully restart, then open your AirPods case near your phone. The pairing should reconnect automatically. If it does not, your phone may have forgotten the AirPods during the restart. In that case, go back to the "Forgetting and re-pairing your AirPods" section and pair them fresh.
Checking distance, interference, and battery
Bluetooth works best within 30 feet of your phone with a clear line of sight. If you are farther away, move closer and try again. Interference from other wireless devices—microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, or other Bluetooth devices—can also block connection. If you are near multiple devices, move away from them or turn them off temporarily to test.
Low battery on your AirPods can also prevent connection, even if they still have enough charge to play audio. Check the battery level by opening Control Center on your iPhone (or the Bluetooth settings on Android) and looking for your AirPods in the list. If the battery shows below 10 percent, place them in the case to charge for at least 30 minutes. A phone that is low on battery can also struggle to maintain Bluetooth connection, so charge your phone if it is below 20 percent.
When to try a different device
If your AirPods connect to another phone or tablet but not to your main phone, the problem is with your phone's Bluetooth, not the AirPods. Try forgetting the AirPods from your phone and re-pairing them from scratch. If they still won't connect, restart your phone and try again. If your phone connects to other Bluetooth devices (speakers, smartwatch, car) but not to your AirPods, the issue is specific to that pairing and a full reset of the AirPods (holding the setup button for 15 seconds) is the next step.
If your AirPods won't connect to any device, they may have a hardware fault. Try charging them fully for at least an hour, then reset them again. If they still won't pair after a full charge and reset, contact Apple Support or your retailer about a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting after they connect?
Intermittent disconnection usually means interference from other Bluetooth devices or Wi-Fi, or that your phone and AirPods are too far apart. Move closer to your phone and away from other wireless devices. If disconnection happens in the same location every time, try restarting your phone and AirPods. If it continues, forget and re-pair them from scratch.
Do I have to re-pair my AirPods every time I use them?
No. Once paired, AirPods should reconnect automatically when you open the case near your phone and Bluetooth is on. If you have to manually re-pair every time, forget the AirPods from your phone and re-pair them once. Then restart your phone. Automatic reconnection should work after that.
Can I use my AirPods with both my phone and my computer at the same time?
AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. To switch between devices, go to Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use and tap your AirPods. They will disconnect from the first device and connect to the second. You cannot use them on both simultaneously.
What if I lost one AirPod and need to pair just one?
A single AirPod will pair and work on its own. Reset it by holding the setup button on the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, then pair it to your phone as normal. Audio will play in one ear only, but it will work.
Why does my phone say my AirPods are connected but I hear no sound?
Check that your phone's volume is turned up and that the AirPods are not muted. On iPhone, swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center and check the volume slider. On Android, press the volume up button. If volume is on, restart both the AirPods and your phone. If you still hear nothing, the AirPods may have a hardware problem.