If you’re wondering how to find my AirPods sound pending, you’re not alone. Many people have had this same issue and have had trouble finding a fix, you can easily find them using this guide.
Search for lost AirPods headphones
Use “Locator” to map and play audio to find your AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max headphones.
If the iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac that is used with the AirPods headphones is already set up with the Locator service, it can help locate the headphones. If you did not turn on the Locator service before you lost your AirPods, you will not be able to find them using this service.
The Locator service is the only way to track and find your lost device. No other Apple service will help you find, track, or tag the location of your device. Learn how to set up the Locator service.
Displaying AirPods on a map
If you lose your AirPods, you can find them using Latitude on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac with the same Apple ID.
Displaying AirPods headphones in the Locator app.
Update your device to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS or macOS.
Open the Locator app.
Click the Devices tab.
Select AirPods. Each device has a location below it or a “No Geo Position Found” message displayed.
To use your computer to find your AirPods headphones, use the Locator feature on iCloud.com.
Enabling the Locator Network
If you turn on the Locator Network, the location of your AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max headphones can be displayed even when your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is not connected to a Wi-Fi or cellular network:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, open the Settings app.
- Select your name, then select “Locator.
- Tap “Find [device],” then turn on “Find [device].
- Turn on the “Locator Network” option.
If you only want to find one AirPods or AirPods Pro headphone
If the AirPods or AirPods Pro headphones are in different locations, only one location is shown on the map. Find the AirPods or AirPods Pro that is shown on the map and put it in its case. Then refresh the map and you can find the second earpiece.
Playing audio on AirPods headphones
If your AirPods headphones are near one of your Apple devices and connected via Bluetooth, you can make it easier to find them by playing audio using iCloud.com or the Locator app:
- Open the Locator app.
- Open the Devices tab.
- Select AirPods headphones from the list.
- Tap “Play Sound” to play the sound, which gradually gets louder.
- Make sure the AirPods headphones are not in your ears or worn on your head before playing the sound.
Getting notified if you forget your AirPods headphones
If you have an iPhone 12 or later, you can set the “Notify When Forgotten” feature so you don’t leave your AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro or AirPods Max headphones in an unknown location:
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- Open the Locator app.
- Click the “Devices” tab and select AirPods headphones.
- Under “Notifications,” tap “Notify When Forgotten.
- Turn on the “Notify When Forgotten” option.
Enabling Missing Mode for AirPods
When you turn on Missing Mode for AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max headphones, you can send a message with your phone number or email address. If someone finds your AirPods, they can see the message on their iPhone.
Enabling Missing Mode:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, open the Locator app.
- Click the “Devices” tab and select the AirPods headphones.
- Scroll to “Mark as Missing” and select “Activate.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to display contact information for the lost AirPods headphones.
- Tap Activate.
If your AirPods are out of range
If your AirPods headphones are out of range or need charging, the last known location, a “No Geo Position Found” or “Offline” message may be displayed for them.
You can’t play audio to find them, but you will be able to route to the location where they were last plugged in. If they come online again, you’ll get a notification on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Mac.
Replacing a lost AirPods earpiece or charging case
If you still can’t find your AirPods earpiece or charging case or something is damaged, determine the serial number and contact Apple Support to request a replacement. Then set up the product you received for replacement.
Additional information about AirPods headphone service options and pricing is also available.
How to find lost AirPods headphones via iPhone or Android
The main advantage of bluetooth headphones from Apple in comparison with wired – the compactness determines its main disadvantage – a high probability of loss. In this case, it is extremely difficult to find AirPods headphones because of their small size. The chances of finding a lost item on the street, in the woods or in the snow are very slim. The search for the lost accessory at home, in the office or in any other premises is usually successful and does not take much time.
The American manufacturer of the wireless headphones provided for the possibility of their loss, and a special application was developed, which works on all versions of iOS older than 10.3. This article discusses all possible ways of finding AirPods, including when there is no connection to it. It describes how the gadget detection system works, and gives recommendations on what you should do to speed up the process and what you shouldn’t do.
What to do if I lost my AirPods headphones?
Since the appearance of the accessory on the market, a joke started to circulate on the Internet that users of the headset had better immediately tie rubber bands to them as to children’s mittens. This, according to the witticisms, will help not remain without expensive gadgets because of their loss. Indeed, losing headphones AirPods often: one of them or a pair at once dropped out of the case, or just left on the table or on the couch.
What to do in such an unpleasant situation? First of all, there is no need to panic, you should use the search tools developed by the manufacturer. The AirPods with Charging Case app allows you to find wireless headphones that are in or out of the case. The software works equally effectively in both cases.
How does the headphone detection system work?
The Lost Wireless Headset Search feature has been introduced in iOS since version 10.3, which has been installed on Apple mobile devices since fall 2016. The Find AirPods system has certain limitations and features:
- One or both of the lost earbuds must be outside of the charging case. The device is capable of a soft beep: it starts beeping on command. By this recognizable sound you can easily locate it.
- The range of the search system is limited to the radius of stable reception of the Bluetooth signal.
- The best chance to quickly locate the headphones AirPods are only indoors. In open space this number will not pass. For the street, the sound of the accessory is too quiet, and the accuracy of its location on the map is extremely low.
What actions will help speed up the detection of headphones?
If you have lost an accessory, the first step is to determine whether there is a connection to it. To do this, go to the settings of your phone or tablet and check if the AirPods (EarPods Pro) headphone(s) are connected. If one exists, it will literally take a few minutes to find the gadget.
The room should be quiet enough, so you should mute the TV or audio system or reduce it to a minimum. Remember that the Bluetooth connection radius is 10 meters, which means you need to check all the surrounding areas. The accessory may be in the next room of your apartment or among the sofa cushions, you need to listen to hear the signal and determine the correct direction by it.
What shouldn’t you do while searching for headphones?
Before you start searching for wireless headphones, you need to make sure that they are really lost and no one is using them. The fact is that the beeping sound activated by Find AirPods is quite loud and harsh. This can cause impairment or temporary hearing loss for the accessory user.
Ways to quickly detect AirPods headphones
The manufacturer has expanded the functionality of the iOS operating system and provided for the use of the iPhone or iPod to find the lost headset. For this purpose, you can use the built-in “Find AirPods” function or special applications such as “Locator”. There are two ways to find it quickly:
- By the audio signal it emits;
- With the help of a map.
Search by audio signal
Let’s assume that the headset is within range of your Apple device and that it is within range of your Bluetooth device. This allows you to use the “Find AirPods” feature or the Locator app installed on your smartphone, laptop, or computer. To activate the headphone beep, follow these steps:
- Select the “Locator” app from the menu and launch it.
- Tap the “Devices” tab.
- In the list that appears, find AirPods headphones and click on them.
- Click the “Play Sound” button.
Using card
Another way to find a wireless headset is to use geolocation. The “Locator” application is able to track the location of the accessory, displaying it on the map, and can show the correct direction to it. After launching the software and selecting the “Devices” tab, it is necessary to find “AirPods headphones” in the list.
The position of the accessory is shown on the map and by turning the smartphone or tablet, the user determines the direction to it. If there is no connection, the status (offline), time, and location where the signal from the headset was recorded are displayed under the record. This data allows you to know the last location of the device and significantly reduce the search area.
Can I find my headphones via Android?
Since its introduction, the Apple wireless headset has become popular with Android device users. The operating system provides the ability to pair with AirPods headphones, and use them with some restrictions. In particular, there is no access to Siri, the Ear detection sensor does not work correctly, the function of “double tap” and check the battery level is not set.
Later, third-party developers offered apps like AirBattery, Assistant Trigger, and Wunderfind. However, neither Android nor the mentioned software support the “Find AirPods” function, and they are not suitable for searching for a lost accessory. In this case, the only thing left is to systematically look around the room and furniture.
What to do if the headphones are out of touch?
The most unpleasant option is when the headset is dead or out of Bluetooth range. But even in this case, all is not lost, you can get data on their last location. The Locator app stores that information for 18 hours if the accessory is inside the Smart Case, and for 72 hours if it is outside the Smart Case.
What should I do if I lose my Smart Case?
The functionality of the iOS operating system does not provide the ability to find the case for wireless headphones. The situation if you have lost the headphones with the case is the most unpleasant. However, the mentioned software “Locator” and “Find AirPods” allows you to find the headset, and there is a good chance that the charging case is somewhere nearby. You need to look around carefully a small white box is sure to be found.
Conclusions and recommendations
Answering the question of how to find the AirPods earbuds we have considered all the possibilities provided by the manufacturer and third-party developers. For quick searches for bluetooth headset, use the built-in “Find AirPods” function or special applications like “Locator”.
You can locate the lost accessory indoors by sounding a beep, or by determining its geolocation. Looking for a headset on the street or if it has been stolen is practically hopeless. The above-mentioned software, when used properly, greatly simplifies the process even in the absence of communication with the device, saving data on its last location. If one of the headphones or the case is lost, any of the accessories right or left can be bought from an ad on the Internet.