The most common reason AirPod Pros won't connect is that Bluetooth is turned off on your device, or the AirPods are paired with a different device

When AirPod Pros stop connecting, the problem is almost always one of three things: Bluetooth is off, the AirPods are already paired to another phone or computer and are trying to connect there instead, or the AirPods need to be forgotten and re-paired. Before you assume the AirPods are broken, work through these steps in order — most people find the answer within the first two.

The AirPods themselves rarely fail. What fails is the connection between your device and the AirPods, and that connection lives in software, not hardware. That means you can almost always fix it without replacing anything.

Key Takeaways

  • Check that Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings, because AirPod Pros cannot connect without it.
  • If your AirPods are already paired to another device, they will try to connect there first — you may need to turn off Bluetooth on that other device or manually switch the AirPods in your current device's Bluetooth menu.
  • Forgetting the AirPods in your device's Bluetooth settings and re-pairing them fixes most connection problems that survive the first two steps.
  • If the AirPods still won't connect after re-pairing, reset them by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white.

Check that Bluetooth is actually on

This sounds obvious, but Bluetooth turns itself off more often than you might expect — after an update, after a restart, or if you use Airplane Mode. Open your device's settings and look for Bluetooth. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Bluetooth. On Mac, go to System Settings, then Bluetooth. On Android, go to Settings, then Connected Devices or Bluetooth (the exact path varies by phone maker).

If Bluetooth is off, turn it on. Wait five seconds. Your AirPod Pros should appear in the list of available devices. If they do, tap or click them to connect. If Bluetooth is already on but the AirPods don't appear in the list, move to the next step.

Check which device your AirPods are trying to connect to

AirPod Pros remember every device they have ever paired with. When you turn them on, they automatically try to connect to the device they were last used with. If that device is nearby and has Bluetooth on, the AirPods will connect to it instead of your current device, even if your current device is the one you want to use.

Look at your AirPods case. If the light on the front is white and steady, the AirPods are connected to something. If it is green or amber, they are not connected to anything. If the light is white, your AirPods are already paired to another device — find that device and either turn off its Bluetooth or manually disconnect the AirPods from it.

If you want to use the AirPods with your current device instead, open Bluetooth settings on your current device. You should see your AirPods in the list. Tap or click them. They will disconnect from the other device and connect to your current one. This usually takes five to ten seconds.

Forget and re-pair the AirPods

If the AirPods still won't connect after checking Bluetooth and the device list, the pairing itself has probably become corrupted. The fix is to forget the AirPods in your device's Bluetooth settings and pair them again from scratch.

On iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings, Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the i icon next to them, then tap Forget This Device. On Mac: Go to System Settings, Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the x next to them, then click Remove. On Android: Go to Settings, Connected Devices or Bluetooth, find your AirPods, tap them, then tap Forget or Unpair.

After you forget them, put your AirPods back in the case and close the lid. Wait ten seconds. Open the case. Hold the button on the back of the case (not the button on the AirPods themselves) for three seconds until the light inside the case starts flashing white. Your device should now show the AirPods as available to pair. Tap or click them to pair. This usually takes ten to fifteen seconds.

Reset the AirPods if re-pairing doesn't work

If forgetting and re-pairing did not fix the problem, reset the AirPods completely. This erases all pairing information from the AirPods themselves and returns them to factory settings.

Put the AirPods in the case and close the lid. Wait thirty seconds. Open the case. Hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. The light will flash amber, then white. When it flashes white, the AirPods are reset. You can now pair them with your device as if they were brand new — hold the case near your device, open the case, and tap or click the AirPods when they appear in the pairing menu.

After a reset, your AirPods will not remember any of your previous devices. You will need to pair them again with every device you want to use them with. This is normal and expected.

Check for software updates on your device

Sometimes connection problems happen because your device's software is out of date. Check whether an update is available. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, General, Software Update. On Mac, go to System Settings, General, Software Update. On Android, go to Settings, About Phone, and look for System Update or Software Update.

If an update is available, install it and restart your device. Then try pairing the AirPods again. You do not need to update the AirPods themselves — they update automatically when they are paired with an updated device.

When the problem is not the AirPods

If you have worked through all these steps and the AirPods still will not connect, the problem may be with your device, not the AirPods. Try pairing the AirPods with a different device — a friend's phone, a tablet, or a computer. If they connect to that device without trouble, your AirPods are working correctly and the issue is with your original device's Bluetooth hardware or software.

If the AirPods will not connect to any device, or if they connect but produce no sound, the AirPods themselves may be faulty. At that point, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. Bring your AirPods and the case, and bring proof of purchase if you have it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting?

Disconnection usually means Bluetooth interference or a weak signal. Move closer to your device, away from other wireless devices like microwaves or routers. If disconnections happen in the same location every time, try moving to a different room. If the problem follows you everywhere, forget and re-pair the AirPods.

Can I use my AirPods with multiple devices at the same time?

No. AirPod Pros can only be connected to one device at a time. They will automatically switch to whichever device you are actively using if you have them paired to multiple devices, but only one device receives audio at any moment. To switch manually, open Bluetooth settings on your current device and tap the AirPods.

What does the amber light on the AirPods case mean?

Amber means the AirPods are in pairing mode and ready to connect to a new device. If you see amber and you did not intend to pair them, hold the button on the back of the case for three more seconds to exit pairing mode.

Do I need to update my AirPods?

AirPod Pros update automatically when they are paired with an updated device and plugged into power. You cannot manually update them. If an update is available, your device will handle it in the background — you do not need to do anything.

Will resetting my AirPods erase my settings?

Yes. A reset erases all pairing information and returns the AirPods to factory settings. Your audio settings like volume and noise cancellation will reset to defaults. You will need to re-pair them with your devices and adjust your settings again.