The most common reason AirPods disconnect is that they have fallen out of Bluetooth range or your phone has switched to a different device
AirPods stop connecting for a handful of specific reasons, and most of them are fixable in under a minute. The first thing to check is whether your AirPods are actually in range — Bluetooth typically works reliably up to about 30 feet, but walls, metal, and other wireless devices can cut that distance in half. If you have walked into another room or your phone is in a different part of your house, move closer and see if they reconnect on their own.
The second most common culprit is that your phone has connected to a different device instead. If you have multiple Apple devices — a Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, or another iPhone — your AirPods may have paired with whichever one you used most recently. Check your phone's Bluetooth settings to see what device is currently connected, and manually select your AirPods from the list.
If neither of those is the problem, the issue is usually that the pairing between your AirPods and your phone has become corrupted or incomplete. This happens most often after a software update, a factory reset, or if you have not used the AirPods for several weeks. The fix is to unpair them completely and start fresh.
Key Takeaways
- Move your phone within 30 feet of your AirPods and check whether they reconnect automatically, since range issues are the most common cause.
- Open Bluetooth settings and confirm your phone is not connected to a different device like a Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch.
- If your AirPods appear in Bluetooth settings but will not play sound, forget the device and re-pair it from scratch.
- Hold the setup button on the back of the AirPods case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, then hold your phone nearby and follow the pairing prompt.
- If AirPods still will not connect after a full reset, check that your phone's Bluetooth is actually on and that your iOS version is current.
Check your phone's Bluetooth settings first
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad, then tap Bluetooth. Look at the list of devices shown. If your AirPods appear in the list with a checkmark or the word "Connected" next to them, they are paired but may not be working because of a software glitch — skip to the "Forget and re-pair" section below. If your AirPods do not appear in the list at all, they are not currently paired.
While you are in Bluetooth settings, look for any other Apple devices listed as "Connected" — a Mac, iPad, Apple Watch, or second iPhone. If you see one, tap it and select "Disconnect". Your AirPods will then connect to your current phone. This is the fastest fix when you have multiple devices in the same room.
If Bluetooth itself is turned off, you will see a toggle at the top of the Bluetooth settings page. Turn it on and wait 10 seconds for your phone to scan for nearby devices. Your AirPods should appear in the list within a few seconds if they are powered on and in range.
Forget the AirPods and pair them again
If your AirPods appear in Bluetooth settings but will not play sound, or if they keep disconnecting every few minutes, the pairing has become corrupted. The fix is to remove them from your phone's memory and set them up as if they were new.
In Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods in the list. Tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to the name. A menu will appear with options including "Forget This Device". Tap that option and confirm. Your AirPods will disappear from the list.
Now hold the setup button on the back of your AirPods case for 15 seconds. The light inside the case will flash orange, then white. When it flashes white, your AirPods are in pairing mode. Hold your phone nearby — within a few feet — and go back to Bluetooth settings. Your AirPods should appear in the list within 10 seconds with the label "Not Connected". Tap them to pair. Your phone will show a setup screen with your AirPods' name and battery level. Tap "Connect" to finish.
Make sure your phone's software is current
AirPods rely on your phone's Bluetooth software to work correctly. If your iPhone or iPad is running an old version of iOS or iPadOS, the pairing can fail even if everything else is set up correctly. Check for updates by opening Settings, tapping General, then Software Update. If an update is available, connect to Wi-Fi and plug in your phone, then tap "Install Now".
After the update finishes and your phone restarts, try pairing your AirPods again using the steps above. Many connection problems disappear after a software update because Apple fixes Bluetooth bugs regularly.
Reset your AirPods if they still will not connect
If you have forgotten the AirPods from your phone, updated your software, and they still will not appear in Bluetooth settings, the AirPods themselves may need a full reset. This erases all pairing information from the AirPods and returns them to factory settings.
Put both AirPods in the case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds. Open the lid and hold the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. The light will flash orange several times, then white. Release the button. Your AirPods are now reset and ready to pair with any device.
Hold your phone nearby and open Bluetooth settings. Your AirPods should appear in the list within 10 seconds. Tap them to pair and follow the setup screen. If they still do not appear after a full reset, the AirPods may have a hardware problem and should be checked by Apple Support or taken to an Apple Store.
Troubleshoot if only one AirPod is working
If one AirPod produces sound and the other does not, the problem is usually not a connection issue — it is a hardware or charging problem with that specific AirPod. First, put both AirPods back in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds. This resets the connection between them. Open the lid and put them back in your ears. If only one still works, the silent one may not be charged.
Check the battery level of each AirPod by opening Control Center on your iPhone (swipe down from the top right) and looking at the battery widget. If one AirPod shows 0% or very low battery, place it back in the case to charge for at least 15 minutes. If the battery shows adequate charge but the AirPod still produces no sound, try forgetting and re-pairing both AirPods using the steps above. If that does not work, the silent AirPod likely has a hardware fault.
Check for interference from other devices
Bluetooth operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency, which is also used by Wi-Fi routers, microwaves, wireless mice, and cordless phones. If you are near multiple devices using this frequency, they can interfere with your AirPods' connection. Move away from your Wi-Fi router or any other wireless devices and try connecting again.
If your AirPods connect reliably in one location but not another, interference is likely the cause. Try moving to a different room or turning off nearby wireless devices temporarily to see if the connection improves. If it does, you have found the source of the problem — you may need to move your Wi-Fi router or use your AirPods in a different location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting every few minutes?
Repeated disconnections usually mean the pairing has become corrupted or your phone is losing Bluetooth signal. Forget the AirPods in Bluetooth settings and re-pair them from scratch. If they still disconnect, check that you are within 30 feet of your phone and that no other device is trying to connect to them at the same time.
Can I use my AirPods with an Android phone?
AirPods are designed for Apple devices and work best with iPhones and iPads. They can pair with Android phones using Bluetooth, but you will lose features like automatic switching between devices and the battery indicator in Android's settings. For the best experience, use AirPods with an Apple device.
What should I do if my AirPods are in Bluetooth settings but have no sound?
First, check that your phone's volume is turned up — use the physical volume buttons on the side of your phone. If volume is on, forget the AirPods and re-pair them. If sound still does not work, restart your phone by powering it off and back on, then try again.
How do I know if my AirPods are actually charging in the case?
When you place AirPods in the case, a light appears inside the lid. A green light means they are fully charged. An amber light means they are charging. If the light is red or does not appear, the case may not have power — plug it in with a Lightning cable for at least 15 minutes.
Why won't my AirPods connect to my Mac when they are already connected to my iPhone?
AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. If they are connected to your iPhone, disconnect them from your iPhone's Bluetooth settings first, then open Bluetooth settings on your Mac and select your AirPods from the list. To switch between devices quickly in the future, hold down the Bluetooth icon in your Mac's menu bar and select your AirPods from the list.