The fastest way: use your Apple ID

If you are switching to a new iPhone and you own AirPods, the simplest path is to sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. When you set up your new iPhone, you will be asked to sign in during the initial setup. Once you do, your AirPods will appear in the list of available devices within seconds — no manual pairing needed.

This automatic connection works because Apple stores your AirPods information in your iCloud account. The moment your new phone connects to the internet and recognizes your Apple ID, it already knows about your AirPods and can communicate with them directly.

If you have already finished setting up your new phone without signing in to your Apple ID, you can still trigger this automatic connection. Go to Settings, tap General, then AirPods & Bluetooth Devices, and your AirPods should appear in the list within a few seconds of being nearby.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing into the same Apple ID on your new iPhone automatically reconnects your AirPods without any manual steps.
  • If automatic connection does not work, hold the setup button on the back of your AirPods case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, then select them from your phone's Bluetooth list.
  • AirPods can only connect to one device at a time, so you may need to disconnect them from your old phone first if it is still powered on nearby.
  • If your AirPods do not appear in Bluetooth settings, restart your phone and make sure Bluetooth is turned on in Settings.

Manual pairing when automatic connection does not work

Sometimes the automatic route fails — usually because you are not using the same Apple ID, or because your old phone is still nearby and holding the connection. In these cases, you need to manually pair your AirPods to your new phone.

First, make sure your AirPods are in their charging case and the case is open. Hold the small setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds. You will see the light inside the case flash white, then amber, then white again. This means the AirPods are in pairing mode and ready to connect to any device.

On your new phone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth. Your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Tap the name of your AirPods to connect. Your phone will confirm the connection, and you should hear a chime in your ears.

Disconnecting from your old phone first

AirPods can only maintain an active connection to one device at a time. If your old phone is still powered on and nearby, your AirPods may try to reconnect to it instead of your new phone, or they may switch back and forth unpredictably.

The cleanest approach is to disconnect your AirPods from your old phone before you try to connect them to your new one. On your old phone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, and tap the i icon next to them. Select Forget This Device. This removes the pairing entirely.

Once you have forgotten the AirPods on your old phone, they will no longer try to reconnect to it. You can then pair them to your new phone using either the automatic method or the manual pairing steps above.

What to do if your AirPods do not show up

If you have held the setup button and your AirPods still do not appear in your phone's Bluetooth list, start with the basics. Make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on — go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and check that the toggle is blue and switched to the right.

Next, restart your phone. Power it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Once it has finished restarting, go back to Settings and Bluetooth, then hold the setup button on your AirPods case again for 15 seconds. The restart often clears out temporary connection problems.

If your AirPods still do not appear, try resetting them entirely. With the case open, hold the setup button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber and white repeatedly — this is different from the white flash you saw before. Wait a few seconds, then hold the button again until the light flashes white. Your AirPods are now reset and ready to pair as if they were brand new.

Connecting AirPods to Android phones

AirPods work with Android phones, but the process is different because Android does not have the automatic iCloud connection that iPhones have. You will always need to manually pair them.

Put your AirPods in their case, open the case, and hold the setup button on the back for 15 seconds until the light flashes white. On your Android phone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth or Connected Devices — the exact name varies by phone maker. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, and your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices. Tap them to connect.

One limitation: AirPods on Android do not have all the same features as they do on iPhone. You will not see the battery level in your status bar, and some gesture controls may not work. But they will play audio and handle calls normally.

Switching between devices after the initial connection

Once your AirPods are paired to your new phone, you can still use them with other devices — but only one at a time. If you want to switch from your new phone to a tablet or laptop, you do not need to re-pair. Instead, go to that device's Bluetooth settings and select your AirPods from the list. They will disconnect from your phone and connect to the new device.

If you have an iPhone and an iPad both signed into the same Apple ID, your AirPods will automatically switch between them depending on which device you are actively using. This is called automatic switching, and it happens without you doing anything. If you want to disable it, go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods, tap the i icon, and turn off Automatic Switching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to erase my AirPods before connecting them to a new phone?

No. You can connect AirPods to a new phone without erasing them. If you want to completely reset them to factory settings, hold the setup button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber and white repeatedly, but this is only necessary if they are not pairing correctly.

Can I use the same AirPods on two phones at the same time?

No. AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. If you want to use them on a different phone, you must disconnect them from the first phone and then connect them to the second one. The switch takes a few seconds.

Why do my AirPods keep connecting to my old phone instead of my new one?

Your old phone is still nearby and still paired to your AirPods. Go to your old phone's Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods, and tap Forget This Device. Once you have forgotten them, they will stop trying to reconnect to that phone.

What if I lost my AirPods case?

You can still pair your AirPods to a new phone without the case, but you will need to hold the setup button on the AirPod itself for 15 seconds instead. The button is on the stem. Without the case, you will not be able to charge them, and you will not see battery information on your phone.

Do AirPods Pro pair the same way as regular AirPods?

Yes. The pairing process is identical for AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and standard AirPods. Hold the setup button on the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, then select them in your phone's Bluetooth settings.