Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case

To pair new AirPods with your phone, tablet, or computer, you first need to put them in pairing mode. This tells your AirPods to broadcast their presence so your device can find them. The method depends on which AirPods model you have, but the most common route is holding the button on the back of the charging case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white.

The light on your AirPods case is the signal that pairing mode is active. When you first hold the button, the light will flash amber as the case powers on. Keep holding until it switches to white flashing — this usually takes 10 to 15 seconds. Once you see white flashing, release the button and move to your device's Bluetooth settings.

The reason you hold the button rather than just opening the case is that pairing mode is a separate state from normal operation. Your AirPods need to stay in this broadcast state long enough for your device to detect them, which is why the light keeps flashing — it's telling you the mode is still active and waiting for a connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the button on the back of your AirPods case for 10 to 15 seconds until the light flashes white, not amber.
  • The white flashing light means pairing mode is active and your AirPods are ready to be found by your device.
  • Once the light turns white, go to your device's Bluetooth settings and select your AirPods from the list of available devices.
  • Different AirPods models (standard AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max) use the same button-hold method, though the case design varies.
  • If the light does not change after 15 seconds, your case may need to charge — plug it in and try again after a few minutes.

Where to find the pairing button on your specific AirPods model

The button location is slightly different depending on which AirPods you own. On standard AirPods and AirPods Pro, the button is on the back of the case — the side that faces away from you when you open the lid. On AirPods Max, the button is on the underside of the headband, near the digital crown. In all cases, the button is small and recessed so you do not accidentally press it during normal use.

If you are unsure which model you have, look at the case shape. Standard AirPods come in a small oval case. AirPods Pro have a similar oval case but slightly taller. AirPods Max come in a larger rectangular case. The button is always the only physical control on the case itself — there are no other buttons to confuse it with.

What happens after you see the white flashing light

Once the light turns white and stays flashing, your AirPods are broadcasting and waiting for a connection. On your phone, tablet, or computer, open the Bluetooth settings. The exact path depends on your device: on iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth; on Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth; on Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth or Settings > Bluetooth (the path varies by phone maker).

In your Bluetooth settings, you should see your AirPods listed under "Available Devices" or "Nearby Devices" within a few seconds. The name will show as "AirPods" or "[Your Name]'s AirPods" if you have already paired them to another device. Tap or click the name to connect. Your device will then send a pairing request, and the AirPods will accept it automatically — you do not need to confirm anything on the AirPods themselves.

The white flashing light will stop flashing and turn solid white once the connection is complete. This usually takes 5 to 10 seconds. After that, your AirPods are paired and ready to use with that device.

Putting AirPods back in pairing mode if they are already paired

If your AirPods are already paired to one device and you want to pair them to a second device, you still use the same button-hold method. Hold the button on the back of the case for 10 to 15 seconds until the light flashes white. This puts them in pairing mode again, even though they are already connected to another device.

When you pair AirPods to a second device, they will remember both devices. Your AirPods will then switch between them automatically depending on which one is currently in use — for example, if you are listening on your iPhone and you open a video on your Mac, the AirPods may switch to the Mac. You can also manually switch by going to Bluetooth settings on either device and selecting your AirPods.

Troubleshooting when the light does not turn white

If you hold the button for 15 seconds and the light stays amber or does not light up at all, the case battery is likely too low. Plug the case into a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on your model) and wait 30 seconds to a minute. Then try the button hold again. The light should flash white within a few seconds of the case having power.

If the light flashes white but your device does not show the AirPods in Bluetooth settings, move your device closer to the case — Bluetooth has a limited range, usually 30 feet in open space. Also check that Bluetooth is actually turned on in your device settings; it is straightforward to miss. If you still do not see them after 30 seconds, release the button, wait 10 seconds, and hold it again to restart pairing mode.

If you have tried these steps and the AirPods still will not appear, your case may need a full reset. This is a separate process from pairing mode and involves holding the button for 15 seconds past the white flashing stage until the light flashes amber again. This erases all previous pairings and returns the AirPods to factory settings, after which you can pair them fresh.

Why pairing mode exists and how it differs from normal operation

Pairing mode is a broadcast state that tells nearby devices "I am here and ready to connect." Without it, your AirPods would only connect to devices they already know, which is more find but means you could never add a new device. By holding the button, you are saying "ignore my memory of old devices for the next 15 seconds and accept a new connection."

In normal operation, your AirPods stay silent on Bluetooth unless they are already paired to a device. This saves battery and prevents random devices from trying to connect to them. Pairing mode is the exception — it is a temporary state where your AirPods advertise themselves loudly so a new device can find them. Once the pairing is complete, they go back to normal operation and only respond to devices they already know.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does pairing mode stay active?

Pairing mode stays active for about 15 minutes after you hold the button. If your device does not find your AirPods within that window, the case will stop broadcasting and you will need to hold the button again. This is why it is best to have your device's Bluetooth settings open before you put the AirPods in pairing mode.

Can I pair AirPods to multiple devices at once?

No, you can only pair to one device at a time. However, once you have paired to a device, you can pair to additional devices by repeating the button-hold process. Your AirPods will then remember all of them and switch between them automatically based on which one is actively playing audio.

What if I hold the button too long and the light turns amber again?

If you hold past 15 seconds and the light flashes amber, you have triggered a reset instead of pairing mode. This erases all previous pairings. Release the button and wait a minute, then hold again until the light flashes white to enter pairing mode normally.

Do I need to put AirPods in pairing mode every time I want to use them?

No. Once they are paired to a device, they connect automatically when you open the case near that device. Pairing mode is only needed the first time you connect to a device, or when you want to add a new device to the list of remembered devices.

Why does my device not show my AirPods even though the light is white?

The most common reason is that Bluetooth is turned off on your device. Check your device settings and make sure Bluetooth is on. Also move closer to the case — if you are more than 30 feet away, your device may not detect them. If Bluetooth is on and you are close, try holding the button again to restart pairing mode.