Use Find My to locate your AirPods on a map
Find My is Apple's built-in tool for locating your AirPods, and it works whether they're in your home, across town, or somewhere you've been recently. Open Find My on any Apple device signed into your iCloud account — iPhone, iPad, Mac, or even borrow someone else's device. Tap or click the Devices tab, select your AirPods from the list, and the app will show their location on a map if they're powered on and connected to the internet.
The map shows a pin where your AirPods last reported their location. If they're nearby, you can tap Play Sound to make them emit a loud beeping noise for two minutes, which helps you find them in a couch cushion, under a car seat, or in a backpack pocket. The sound is loud enough to hear from across a room but not so loud it damages your hearing.
Find My also shows you the last known location if your AirPods are powered off or out of range. This is useful if you left them at a coffee shop or in a taxi — you can see exactly where they were last seen and retrace your steps or contact that location.
Key Takeaways
- Find My shows your AirPods' location on a map if they're powered on and connected to the internet, and displays their last known location if they're offline.
- The Play Sound feature makes your AirPods beep loudly for two minutes, which works best when they're in the same building or nearby.
- Find My requires that your AirPods are registered to your iCloud account and that location services are turned on for your device.
- If your AirPods are truly lost and not appearing in Find My, Apple offers a replacement service, though it costs less than a full new pair.
Make sure location services are on for Find My to work
Find My relies on location services being enabled on your device. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Privacy, then Location Services, and make sure the toggle is on. Scroll down and confirm that Find My has permission to use your location — it should show "Always" or "While Using".
On Mac, open System Settings, click Privacy & Security, then Location Services, and turn it on. Find My should appear in the list below with permission already granted. Without location services enabled, Find My cannot pinpoint your AirPods or show their last known location.
You also need to be signed into iCloud on the device you're using to search. Your AirPods must be registered to the same iCloud account. If you share a device with family members, make sure you're signed in under your own account before opening Find My.
Check if your AirPods are in Lost Mode
If you believe your AirPods are truly lost rather than just misplaced, you can mark them as lost in Find My. Open Find My, select your AirPods, and tap Lost Mode. This prevents anyone else from connecting to them and using them with their own device. You can add a phone number or email address that will appear on the screen if someone finds them and tries to use them.
Activating Lost Mode does not erase your AirPods or prevent Find My from tracking them — it only locks them to your account. If someone finds them and powers them on, they will see your contact information and cannot pair them to a different Apple ID without your permission.
What to do if Find My shows no location
If Find My lists your AirPods but shows no location or says "No Location Found," they are either powered off, out of Bluetooth range, or not connected to the internet. Check whether the charging case battery is depleted — if the case is dead, the AirPods cannot power on or connect. Plug the case into power for at least 15 minutes and check Find My again.
If the case has power but Find My still shows no location, your AirPods may be out of range of any internet-connected device. They need to be near an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other Apple device that is online. If you left them at a location you no longer visit, Find My will show their last known location from the last time they connected.
Try retracing your steps to places you visited recently. Open Find My on your phone and check the location history — it often shows multiple past locations where your AirPods have been seen. This can help narrow down whether you left them at home, at work, or somewhere else.
Use Bluetooth settings to find nearby AirPods
If Find My is not working or you cannot access it, you can check your device's Bluetooth settings to see if your AirPods are nearby and powered on. On iPhone, go to Settings and tap Bluetooth. If your AirPods appear in the list of available devices, they are in range and powered on, even if they are not connected.
On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Your AirPods will appear here if they are nearby and powered on. If they show as "Connected," they are actively paired to your device. If they show as available but not connected, they are nearby but paired to a different device or in pairing mode.
This method does not show you a map or exact location — it only tells you whether your AirPods are in Bluetooth range, which is typically 30 to 100 feet depending on obstacles. It is most useful for finding AirPods that are in your home or office.
Contact Apple if your AirPods cannot be found
If you have searched thoroughly and your AirPods do not appear in Find My or Bluetooth settings, they may be permanently lost or damaged. Apple offers a replacement service through AppleCare+ if you have coverage, or you can purchase a replacement pair at a reduced cost through Apple's service program. The cost varies depending on which AirPods model you own.
Visit apple.com or go to an Apple Store to check your options. You will need the serial number of your AirPods, which you can find in the Settings app under Bluetooth on any device they were previously paired to. If you do not have AppleCare+, Apple can still help you purchase a replacement, though the cost will be higher than the service fee.
Prevent future loss with AirPods features
Once you have found your AirPods, you can set up features to prevent losing them again. Enable notifications in Find My so you receive an alert if your AirPods are left behind at a location. On iPhone, open Find My, select your AirPods, and turn on Notify When Left Behind.
You can also use Siri to find your AirPods by saying "Hey Siri, find my AirPods" on any nearby Apple device. This triggers the sound without opening the Find My app. Some AirPods models also include a U1 chip that provides more precise location tracking, though this feature works best outdoors or in large open spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I find my AirPods if they are powered off?
Find My will show their last known location, but cannot track them in real time if they are powered off. If the charging case has battery, the AirPods may power on automatically when you open the case or move them. Plug the case into power and check Find My again after 15 minutes.
What if someone else finds my AirPods and connects them?
If you set up Lost Mode before someone pairs them to a different device, they cannot connect without your permission. If they are already connected to another account, you can still see their location in Find My and contact Apple to report them lost or stolen.
Does Find My work if my AirPods are in another country?
Yes, as long as they are powered on and connected to the internet. Find My uses the same location services worldwide. However, if they are powered off or the battery is dead, you will only see the last location where they were online.
Can I find my AirPods without an Apple device?
You can borrow any iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed into a different iCloud account and use Find My to locate your AirPods, as long as that device is signed into an account with permission to access Find My. You cannot access Find My from an Android phone or Windows computer.
Why does Find My say my AirPods are in a location I have never been?
Find My sometimes shows inaccurate locations due to GPS drift or network delays, especially indoors or in areas with poor signal. The actual location is usually within a few hundred feet of what the map shows. Try playing the sound or visiting nearby locations to narrow down the real position.