If you’ve just bought AirPods 4 and want to make sure you can track them using Find My iPhone, you’ll need to ensure they are properly paired and connected to your Apple ID. Once linked, your AirPods 4 will automatically appear in the Find My app so you can locate them if they’re lost, play a sound, or use Precision Finding. Here’s how to set it up correctly.
Requirements Before Adding AirPods 4 to Find My
Before setting up, make sure:
- You’re signed in to your Apple ID on your iPhone or iPad.
- Your device has Bluetooth enabled.
- Find My iPhone is turned on.
- The AirPods 4 are charged and near your iPhone.
- Your device runs iOS 18 or later (recommended for full Find My features).
Once these conditions are met, pairing automatically adds the AirPods 4 to Find My.
Step 1: Pair AirPods 4 With Your iPhone
- Place both AirPods 4 in their charging case.
- Open the lid near your iPhone.
- Wait for the setup animation to appear on your iPhone screen.
- Tap Connect and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Once setup is complete, the AirPods 4 will automatically link to your Apple ID.
Your AirPods 4 are now automatically added to Find My iPhone and will appear in the Find My app under the Devices tab.
Step 2: Verify That AirPods 4 Are in Find My
To confirm the connection:
- Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
- Tap the Devices tab.
- Look for your AirPods 4 in the list.
You should see their current or last known location on the map. If you don’t see them, check that:
- You’re signed in with the same Apple ID used during pairing.
- Bluetooth and Location Services are turned on.
- Your AirPods are nearby or have been recently connected.
Step 3: Enable Find My Network for Offline Tracking
The Find My network helps you locate AirPods even when they’re offline or out of Bluetooth range. This is especially useful for AirPods 4, which include Precision Finding and UWB (Ultra Wideband) support.
To enable it:
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My.
- Tap Find My iPhone.
- Make sure Find My iPhone, Find My network, and Send Last Location are all turned on.
With these settings, your AirPods 4 can be found even if they’re closed in their case or not connected to your phone.
Step 4: Use Precision Finding (for AirPods 4 with UWB)
AirPods 4 support Precision Finding, which lets you locate them using on-screen directions similar to AirTag tracking.
To use it:
- Open the Find My app.
- Tap your AirPods 4 in the Devices list.
- Select Find Nearby.
- Move your iPhone around and follow the arrows and distance indicators until you locate your AirPods.
This feature works best when your AirPods 4 are out of the case and within Bluetooth range.
Step 5: Enable “Notify When Left Behind”
To avoid losing your AirPods 4, set up Notify When Left Behind alerts:
- Open the Find My app.
- Tap your AirPods 4.
- Tap Notifications.
- Toggle on Notify When Left Behind.
- Optionally, add Trusted Locations (like your home) where you won’t receive alerts.
This feature sends a notification if you walk away from your AirPods 4 while leaving them behind.
Step 6: Test Find My Functionality
To confirm everything works:
- Close your AirPods 4 in the case and move them to another room.
- Open the Find My app and locate them on the map.
- Try using Play Sound or Find Nearby to ensure they respond correctly.
If they appear and respond, your AirPods 4 are fully linked to Find My.
Troubleshooting: AirPods 4 Not Showing in Find My
If your AirPods 4 do not appear:
- Make sure they are paired with your Apple ID (not just connected via Bluetooth).
- Try forgetting and re-pairing them:
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods (i) → Forget This Device.
- Reset the AirPods by holding the setup button until the light flashes amber, then white.
- Reconnect and check Find My again.
- Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version.
Once properly paired, AirPods 4 automatically register with Find My – no separate manual setup is needed.