Adding AirPods to Find My takes three steps on any Apple device

Open Find My on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Tap or click the plus sign (+) in the top corner. Select "Add AirPods" from the menu, then choose your AirPods from the list of nearby devices. Your AirPods will appear on the Find My map within seconds, and you can now track them if they go missing.

The process works the same way whether you're using an iPhone, iPad, or Mac — the app looks for AirPods that are already paired to your Apple ID. If your AirPods aren't showing up in the list, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and the AirPods are charged and within range of your device.

Key Takeaways

  • Find My locates AirPods through Bluetooth when they're nearby, and through your Apple ID's network when they're far away.
  • Your AirPods must already be paired to your device before you can add them to Find My.
  • Once added, you can play a sound on your AirPods to find them in your home, or see their last known location on a map if they're lost.
  • Find My works only with AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and AirPods (3rd generation) — older AirPods models cannot be tracked.

Which AirPods models work with Find My

Only three AirPods models support Find My: AirPods Pro (both 1st and 2nd generation), AirPods Max, and AirPods (3rd generation). If you own AirPods (2nd generation) or AirPods (1st generation), they cannot be added to Find My, even if you have the latest version of the app.

You can check which generation you own by going to Settings on your iPhone, tapping Bluetooth, finding your AirPods in the list, and tapping the information icon next to them. The model name will appear at the top of the screen.

What to do if your AirPods don't appear in the add menu

If you don't see your AirPods in the list when you tap the plus sign, the most common reason is that Bluetooth is off on your device. Turn Bluetooth on in Settings (iPhone and iPad) or System Settings (Mac), then try again. Your AirPods should appear within 10 to 15 seconds.

If Bluetooth is already on, make sure your AirPods are charged — a dead battery means they won't broadcast a Bluetooth signal. Place them in their case and charge for at least 15 minutes, then take them out and try adding them again. If they still don't appear, forget the AirPods from your Bluetooth settings and re-pair them from scratch before attempting to add them to Find My.

How Find My locates your AirPods when they're far away

When your AirPods are nearby, Find My uses Bluetooth to pinpoint them on a map. When they're out of Bluetooth range, Find My uses your Apple ID's network — a system where other Apple devices nearby can relay the location of your AirPods back to you, even if you're not close to them.

This network-based tracking works only if your AirPods are powered on and have enough battery to broadcast a signal. If your AirPods are completely dead or turned off, Find My will show their last known location, but cannot update it in real time.

Playing a sound to find AirPods in your home

Once your AirPods are added to Find My, open the app and tap your AirPods from the list. Tap "Play Sound" and your AirPods will emit a loud beeping noise for about two minutes. This feature works even if your AirPods are in Do Not Disturb mode or connected to another device.

The sound will play from both the left and right earbud at the same volume, so you can follow it to wherever they're hiding — under a couch cushion, in a jacket pocket, or behind a desk. If you don't find them within two minutes, you can tap "Play Sound" again to restart the alert.

Removing AirPods from Find My

To stop tracking your AirPods, open Find My and tap your AirPods from the list. Scroll down and tap "Remove This Item," then confirm. Your AirPods will no longer appear in Find My, but they will remain paired to your device for normal use.

You can add them back to Find My at any time by tapping the plus sign and selecting them again. Removing them from Find My does not erase them or disconnect them from your Apple ID.

What happens if your AirPods are lost or stolen

If your AirPods go missing and you cannot find them using the sound feature, open Find My and check the map for their last known location. If they're in a public place, you can note the address and check there in person. If you believe they've been stolen, you can tap your AirPods and select "Mark as Lost" to lock them to your Apple ID.

When marked as lost, your AirPods cannot be used with any other Apple ID, and anyone who finds them will see a message with your phone number if they try to connect them to a device. This does not prevent someone from using them, but it makes it clear they belong to someone else. You can remove the lost status at any time from the Find My app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I track my AirPods if they're turned off?

No. Find My shows only the last location where your AirPods were powered on. Once they run out of battery or are manually turned off, they stop broadcasting a signal and cannot be located in real time.

Do my AirPods need to be connected to my device to add them to Find My?

Your AirPods must be paired to your device, but they don't need to be actively connected at that moment. As long as they've been paired before and appear in your Bluetooth settings, you can add them to Find My.

Will Find My work if someone else is using my AirPods?

Yes. As long as your AirPods are powered on and connected to any device signed into your Apple ID, Find My will track them. If someone connects them to a different Apple ID, they will no longer appear in your Find My app.

Can I track my AirPods from a Windows computer?

No. Find My is available only on Apple devices — iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. You cannot access Find My from a Windows PC or Android device.

What's the difference between Find My and the Find My app?

Find My is the built-in app on all Apple devices. It tracks AirPods, Apple Watches, iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices all in one place. There is no separate app to read — it comes with your device.