Your phone can help you locate your AirPods case if you set it up first

If your AirPods case has Bluetooth turned on, your iPhone, iPad, or Mac can show you its location through the Find My app — the same tool that finds your phone. The catch: you have to set this up before you lose the case. If you haven't already turned on Find My for your AirPods, the case won't show up in the app now, and you'll need to search your home and car manually.

If you did set up Find My when you first got your AirPods, open the Find My app on any of your Apple devices and tap AirPods. The app will show you the last known location where your case was seen. The location is usually accurate to within a few meters, though it depends on how many Apple devices are nearby to relay the signal.

Key Takeaways

  • Find My only works if you turned it on before losing your case — it cannot retroactively track a case you never set up.
  • Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and select your AirPods to see the last location where the case was detected.
  • The location shown is the last place your case had an active Bluetooth connection, which may not be where it is right now.
  • If Find My shows no location, your case's battery is dead or Bluetooth is off, and you will need to search manually or retrace your steps.

How to check Find My if you set it up already

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Find My app (it has a radar-like icon). Tap the Devices tab at the bottom. Look for your AirPods in the list — it will show the case and the buds separately if they are not together. Tap your AirPods case to see its last known location on a map.

On a Mac, open Find My from the Applications folder or Launchpad. Click Devices in the sidebar, then select your AirPods case from the list. The map will show you where it was last detected. If the case is in your home, the map may pinpoint a room. If it's in a car or building, the accuracy drops to a city block or larger area.

The location shown is not live — it is the last spot where your case connected to Bluetooth. If your case battery died hours ago, the location may be stale. If you've moved since then, the case could be somewhere else entirely.

What to do if Find My shows no location

If your AirPods case does not appear in Find My at all, or if it shows "No Location Found," one of three things is true: the case's battery is dead, Bluetooth is turned off on the case, or you never turned on Find My for that device.

Check whether you can hear the case when you press the button on the back. If it makes a sound or the LED lights up, the battery is not completely dead. If nothing happens, plug the case into a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on your model) and charge it for at least 15 minutes. Once it has power, try Find My again — it may take a few minutes for the location to update.

If the case still does not show up and you know you set up Find My, the Bluetooth chip inside the case may be damaged. In that case, you will need to search your home and car by retracing your steps, or contact Apple Support to discuss a replacement.

How to set up Find My for future AirPods

When you first pair new AirPods with your iPhone, the setup process asks whether you want to use Find My. Tap "Turn On" if you see this prompt. If you skipped it, you can turn it on later: open Settings, tap your name at the top, select Find My, then tap Find My iPhone (or Find My Mac). Make sure the toggle next to Find My is green.

Next, go back to Settings and tap Bluetooth. Hold your AirPods case near your phone and wait for it to appear in the list. Tap it to connect. Once connected, open Find My again and check that your AirPods case now appears in the Devices list. If it does, Find My is active and will track your case from now on.

Why the location might be wrong even when Find My works

Find My uses Bluetooth range and signals from nearby Apple devices to pinpoint your case. If your case is in a metal box, a car trunk, or a basement, the signal may not reach other devices, and the last known location could be from when you were in a different room or building.

The app also relies on a network of Apple devices in your area. If you live in a rural place or a building with few Apple users nearby, the location will be less precise. In a city or a home with multiple Apple devices, Find My is usually accurate to within a few meters.

If Find My shows your case in a location you've already searched, it may have been moved since the last update, or the location data may be a few hours old. Check the timestamp in the Find My app — it tells you when the location was last updated.

Manual search strategies when Find My doesn't help

Start with the places you used your AirPods most recently: your car, your desk, your bed, and the rooms where you usually listen to music or take calls. Check under cushions, in jacket pockets, and in bags you've used in the past few days.

If you remember the last time you heard your AirPods playing, search that location first. If you can't remember, think about which room you were in when the battery died or when you last took them out. Search that room thoroughly, including drawers, shelves, and any bags or coats nearby.

Ask anyone else in your home whether they've seen the case or moved it. Sometimes a family member picks it up thinking it belongs to them, or a pet moves it while playing. Check places where small objects tend to collect: nightstands, bathroom counters, kitchen counters, and the area around your charging cable.

What to do if you can't find your case

If you've searched everywhere and Find My shows no location, you have two options: buy a replacement case or contact Apple Support. A replacement case for most AirPods models costs between $50 and $100, depending on the model. You can order one from Apple's website or an Apple Store.

If your AirPods are still under warranty (usually one year from purchase), Apple may replace the case for free if the Bluetooth chip failed. Contact Apple Support through their website or call 1-800-MY-APPLE. Have your proof of purchase ready, and be prepared to describe what happened to the case.

In the meantime, your AirPods buds will still work if you pair them directly with your phone using Bluetooth, even without the case. You won't be able to charge them, but they will play audio until the battery runs out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Find My to track my AirPods buds separately from the case?

Yes. In the Find My app, your AirPods case and buds show as separate items if they are not together. If one bud is in the case and the other is in your pocket, you can locate each one. However, if both buds are inside the case, Find My shows only the case's location.

Will Find My work if my AirPods case is turned off?

No. The case must have power and Bluetooth enabled to send a signal. If the battery is completely dead, Find My cannot locate it. Charge the case first, then check Find My again.

What if I find my case but it won't charge?

Try cleaning the charging contacts on the case and the cable with a dry cloth. If it still won't charge, the charging port may be damaged. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to discuss a replacement.

Can someone else use Find My to track my AirPods?

Only if they have access to your Apple ID and are signed into Find My on their device. If you're concerned about privacy, review who has your Apple ID password and change it if needed.

Does Find My work if my case is outside my home country?

Yes, as long as the case has power and Bluetooth is on. Find My will show the location on a map, though the accuracy depends on how many Apple devices are in that area to relay the signal.