Use Find My to locate a missing AirPod

If you have already turned on location services, your AirPods are broadcasting their location to Apple's Find My network right now. Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, tap or click Devices, and select your AirPods from the list. The map will show you where they are — or where they were last seen if the battery has died.

The Find My app works even if your AirPods are not connected to your phone. As long as location services are on and your AirPods have power, they are sending location data. If the battery is dead, Find My shows the last location where the AirPods reported in, which is often close enough to search the when ready area.

You can also play a sound from the missing AirPod to help you locate it in your home. In the Find My app, select your AirPods and tap Play Sound. The AirPod will emit a loud beeping noise for two minutes, which makes it much easier to find if it is under a couch cushion or in a bag nearby.

Key Takeaways

  • Find My shows the real-time location of your AirPods on a map as long as location services are on and the AirPods have battery power.
  • If the battery is dead, Find My displays the last known location, which is usually accurate enough to search the surrounding area.
  • Playing a sound through Find My makes it easier to pinpoint a missing AirPod inside your home by listening for the beep.
  • Find My works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and you can access it from any of your devices signed into the same Apple account.

What to do if Find My shows no location

If Find My does not show a location for your AirPods, the most common reason is that location services are turned off. Go back to your phone or computer settings and confirm that location services are enabled for Find My. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Privacy, then Location Services, and make sure the toggle is on. On Mac, open System Settings, click Privacy & Security, then Location Services, and check that it is enabled.

Another reason Find My may not work is if your AirPods are too far away or have been offline for too long. Find My relies on other Apple devices nearby to relay the location of your AirPods. If your AirPods are in a remote area with no other Apple devices around, or if the battery died days ago, the last known location may be stale or missing entirely.

Search your home first if Find My is not helpful

Before relying on Find My, physically search the places where you last remember using your AirPods. Check your car, your desk, your bedroom, and anywhere you typically sit or charge your phone. AirPods are small and straightforward to miss, so look inside bags, under cushions, and in jacket pockets.

If you remember using them while moving between locations — like taking them out on a walk or in a store — retrace those steps. Call the location where you think you left them and ask if anyone has turned in a pair of AirPods. Many businesses keep lost items for at least a few days before discarding them.

Use your phone to make your AirPods play sound remotely

Even if you cannot see the location on the map, you can still use Find My to play a sound from your missing AirPod. This works as long as the AirPod has battery and is within Bluetooth range of your phone or another Apple device on your account. Open Find My, select your AirPods, and tap Play Sound. Listen carefully for a beeping noise coming from nearby.

The sound plays for two minutes, so you have a window to move around your home and listen for where it is loudest. If you hear it, follow the sound to locate the AirPod. If you do not hear anything after two minutes, the AirPod may be out of range or the battery may be dead.

Check if your AirPods are still connected to your account

If your AirPods do not appear in Find My at all, they may have been removed from your Apple account. This can happen if you reset them, if someone else is using them, or if they were lost long enough that they disconnected. To add them back, put them in their charging case, hold the case near your iPhone or Mac, and follow the pairing prompts that appear on your screen.

Once they are paired again, they will appear in Find My and you can use the location and sound features. If you cannot pair them because you cannot find them, you may need to accept that they are lost and purchase a replacement.

What to do if you cannot find them after searching

If Find My shows a location but you have searched that area thoroughly and cannot find your AirPods, they may have been moved, taken, or damaged. If the location is a public place like a store or park, ask staff or check lost and found one more time. If the location is someone else's home or property, contact that person and ask if they have seen them.

If you believe your AirPods are truly lost and cannot be recovered, you can purchase a replacement pair or a single replacement AirPod from Apple. Apple sells individual AirPods and charging cases separately, so you do not have to buy an entire new set if only one is missing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find my AirPods if location services is off?

No. Find My requires location services to be turned on in your phone or computer settings. Without it, your AirPods cannot send location data to Apple's network. If you realize location services is off after losing your AirPods, turn it on now so future devices are protected, but it will not help you find the ones that are already lost.

How long does Find My keep the last known location?

Find My displays the last location your AirPods reported, which is usually from the last time they were powered on and in range of an Apple device. If the battery died weeks ago, the location may be very old. The exact time varies depending on how long ago the AirPods went offline and whether other Apple devices have been near them since.

Will Find My work if my AirPods are in airplane mode?

AirPods do not have an airplane mode setting. However, if your phone is in airplane mode, Find My will not work because your phone cannot connect to Apple's network. Make sure your phone has cellular or Wi-Fi enabled and location services is turned on.

Can someone else use Find My to track my AirPods?

Only someone signed into your Apple account can see your AirPods in Find My. If you are concerned about privacy, you can remove a device from your account in Find My settings, but this also means you will no longer be able to track it.

What if my AirPods are dead and I cannot charge them?

If the battery is completely dead and you cannot charge them, Find My will show only the last known location. You can still search that area physically, but the AirPods will not send any new location data until they are powered on and charged again.