The most common reason AirPods Max won't connect is that Bluetooth is turned off on your device, the headphones are paired with a different device, or the headphones need to be reset
AirPods Max use Bluetooth to communicate with your phone, tablet, or computer. If they won't connect, the problem is usually one of three things: your device's Bluetooth is off, the headphones are already paired to something else, or the connection has gotten corrupted and needs a fresh start. Most of these fixes take less than five minutes.
Start by checking the simplest possibility first. Open Settings on your device, find Bluetooth, and make sure it is turned on. If it is already on, look at the list of paired devices — if AirPods Max appear there but show as "Not Connected" or "Disconnected", tap the name and select "Forget This Device". Then put your AirPods Max in pairing mode by pressing and holding the noise control button on the right ear cup for about 15 seconds until you see the pairing light flash amber and white. Your device should now find them and reconnect.
Key Takeaways
- Check that Bluetooth is on and that AirPods Max are not already paired to a different device in the room.
- If the headphones appear in your Bluetooth list but won't connect, forget the device and put the headphones back into pairing mode by holding the noise control button for 15 seconds.
- A full reset — holding the noise control button for 15 seconds, then the top button for 15 seconds — clears the connection completely and works when simpler steps fail.
- If your device is too far away or there are obstacles between it and the headphones, move closer and try again.
- Check that your device's software is current, because outdated versions sometimes have Bluetooth bugs that a software update fixes.
Check which device the headphones are paired to
AirPods Max can pair with multiple Apple devices, but they can only connect to one at a time. If you have an iPhone, iPad, and Mac in the same room, the headphones might be trying to connect to the wrong one. Open the Bluetooth settings on each device and look for AirPods Max in the list. The one that shows "Connected" is where they are currently linked.
If you want them to connect to a different device, go to that device's Bluetooth settings, find AirPods Max in the list, and tap "Connect". The headphones will switch over. If AirPods Max do not appear in the Bluetooth list at all on any of your devices, they have been forgotten and you will need to pair them fresh — hold the noise control button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber and white, then select them from your device's Bluetooth menu.
Perform a full reset if straightforward reconnection does not work
If forgetting the device and repairing does not bring the connection back, reset the headphones completely. This clears all stored connection information and starts fresh. Hold down the noise control button (on the right ear cup) for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber and white. Release it, then when ready hold down the top button (also on the right ear cup) for another 15 seconds. The light will flash white, then amber and white again. This means the reset is complete.
After the reset, the headphones will no longer be paired to any device. Put them back into pairing mode by holding the noise control button for 15 seconds, then select them from your device's Bluetooth settings. This process removes any corrupted connection data that might have been preventing them from working.
Move closer and remove obstacles between the headphones and your device
Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet in open space, but walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can reduce that distance. If your phone is in another room or on the other side of a thick wall, the headphones may not be able to reach it. Move your device and the headphones closer together — within 10 feet is safest — and try connecting again.
Microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, and other wireless devices can also interfere with Bluetooth. If you are trying to connect near a microwave that is running or very close to a Wi-Fi router, move away and try again. Once the connection is established, you can usually move back to your normal distance without losing the link.
Update your device's software
Bluetooth bugs sometimes appear in older versions of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS. Check that your device is running the latest software available. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. On a Mac, go to System Settings, then General, then Software Update. If an update is available, install it and then try connecting your AirPods Max again.
Apple releases software updates regularly, and many of them include fixes for Bluetooth connection problems. If you have been putting off an update, this is a good reason to install it now.
Check the battery level on your AirPods Max
AirPods Max will not connect if the battery is completely dead. Put them on your head — the headphones will announce the battery level out loud. If the battery is very low, plug them into power using the USB-C cable that came in the box. Let them charge for at least 15 minutes, then try connecting again.
You can also check the battery level from your device. On iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center and look for the battery percentage. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and look for AirPods Max in the list — the battery percentage appears next to the name.
Contact Apple Support if nothing else works
If you have tried all of these steps and your AirPods Max still will not connect, there may be a hardware problem with the headphones or your device. Apple Support can run diagnostics and determine whether the headphones need to be repaired or replaced. You can reach them through the Apple Support website, the Apple Support app on your device, or by visiting an Apple Store in person.
Before you contact support, write down which steps you have already tried. This helps the support person understand what you have done and speeds up the process of finding a solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods Max connect to my iPad but not my iPhone?
They are probably already connected to your iPad. AirPods Max can only be connected to one device at a time, even though they can be paired to multiple devices. Go to your iPad's Bluetooth settings, find AirPods Max, and tap "Disconnect". Then go to your iPhone's Bluetooth settings and tap "Connect" next to AirPods Max. They will switch over.
Do I need to unpair my AirPods Max from my old phone before pairing them to a new one?
It is not required, but it is a good idea. If you still have access to your old phone, go to its Bluetooth settings, find AirPods Max, and select "Forget This Device". Then on your new phone, hold the noise control button on the headphones for 15 seconds to put them in pairing mode and select them from Bluetooth settings.
Can I use AirPods Max with non-Apple devices?
Yes. AirPods Max use standard Bluetooth, so they work with Android phones, Windows computers, and other non-Apple devices. The pairing process is the same — hold the noise control button for 15 seconds until the light flashes, then select them from your device's Bluetooth settings. Some Apple-specific features like automatic switching between devices will not work.
What does the light on my AirPods Max mean?
Amber and white flashing means the headphones are in pairing mode and ready to connect to a device. Solid white means they are connected. If the light is off, the battery may be dead or the headphones may be in a low-power state. Charge them for a few minutes and check again.
Why do my AirPods Max keep disconnecting after a few minutes?
This usually means the connection is unstable, often because your device is too far away or there is interference from other wireless devices. Move closer to your device and away from Wi-Fi routers or microwaves. If the problem continues, forget the device and pair again. If it still happens, try a full reset by holding the noise control button for 15 seconds, then the top button for 15 seconds.