AirPods Cannot Be Found

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If your AirPods cannot be found in the Find My app, it usually means they are offline, out of Bluetooth range, or the Find My feature was not properly set up before they were lost. This issue can also happen if the AirPods’ battery is dead or if they’ve been reset by someone else. Here’s how to troubleshoot and locate AirPods that are not appearing in Find My.

Check if Find My Was Set Up Beforehand

Find My must be enabled on your Apple device before the AirPods were lost.

To Verify:
  1. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My.
  2. Ensure Find My iPhone is turned on.
  3. Under Find My network, check that the toggle is enabled.

If Find My was not enabled before the AirPods went missing, they won’t appear in the app.

Confirm That the AirPods Are in Range

Find My can only detect AirPods when they are:

  • Within Bluetooth range (around 10 meters or 33 feet).
  • Connected to one of your Apple devices.
  • Charged and powered on.

If they are out of range, inside their case, or powered off, Find My will show the last known location instead of the current one.

Check the Last Known Location in the Find My App
  1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
  2. Tap the Devices tab.
  3. Select your AirPods from the list.

If they were last connected recently, the map will display their last known position.
If it says “No Location Found”, the AirPods are offline and haven’t communicated with any Apple device recently.

Recharge and Refresh the Connection

If you still have the AirPods but they aren’t showing up:

  1. Put the AirPods in the charging case.
  2. Connect the case to power for at least 15 minutes.
  3. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on for your iPhone or iPad.
  4. Open the lid near your device to check if the connection prompt appears.

Once they reconnect, they should reappear in Find My.

Use the Find My Network (for Newer Models)

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods (3rd generation) can use Apple’s Find My network, which helps locate them even when they are offline.

How It Works
  • Nearby Apple devices can securely detect your lost AirPods and update their location.
  • You’ll see an updated map location in the Find My app once they’re detected.

Make sure Find My network is turned on under Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My network.

Play a Sound When AirPods Are Nearby

If your AirPods appear on the map and are within Bluetooth range:

  1. Open the Find My app.
  2. Tap your AirPods.
  3. Choose Play Sound.

Both AirPods will emit a beeping noise to help you locate them.
If you only hear one AirPod, the other may be out of battery or not in range.

Locate AirPods Individually

If only one AirPod appears in Find My:

  • Place the found AirPod in the case.
  • Refresh the Find My app.
  • The second AirPod may then appear once it reconnects.

Find My tracks each AirPod separately if they are apart from each other.

When AirPods Are Offline or Dead

If your AirPods’ battery is completely drained or they are offline:

  • Find My will display “No Location Found”.
  • The app may still show the last known location for up to 24 hours.
  • You will receive a notification when they come back online if Notify When Found is enabled.

To Turn On “Notify When Found”
  1. In the Find My app, select your AirPods.
  2. Scroll down and tap Notify When Found.
  3. You’ll be alerted when another Apple device detects them.

If Someone Else Found or Reset the AirPods

If the AirPods were reset by another user:

  • They will no longer be connected to your Apple ID.
  • They will disappear from your Find My device list.
  • The new owner can pair them with their own Apple ID.

Unfortunately, once AirPods are removed from your Apple ID and reset, they can’t be tracked.

Use iCloud.com to Double-Check

You can also try locating your AirPods from a web browser:

  1. Visit iCloud.com/find.
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID.
  3. Click All Devices and check if your AirPods appear.

If they don’t appear here, they’re offline or not associated with your Apple ID anymore.

Prevent Future “Cannot Be Found” Issues

To ensure your AirPods can always be located:

  • Keep Find My iPhone and Find My network turned on.
  • Regularly connect your AirPods to your Apple device so their location updates.
  • Keep them charged and stored in their original case when not in use.
  • Enable Notify When Left Behind in the Find My app for automatic alerts.

When to Contact Apple Support

If your AirPods have gone missing and cannot be found in Find My despite being linked:

  • Visit support.apple.com and select Lost or Missing AirPods.
  • If you have proof of purchase, Apple may help verify ownership or offer a replacement option.
  • You can also check the status of your warranty at checkcoverage.apple.com.