If your AirPods won't connect

General Talk
1

If you can’t connect to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

  1. Make sure that your iPhone or iPod touch has the latest version of iOS or that your iPad has the latest version of iPadOS.
  2. Put both AirPods in the charging case and make sure that both AirPods are charging.
  3. To make sure that Bluetooth is on, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
  4. If your AirPods are connected, make sure that they’re selected as your audio device. If your AirPods appear in the list of devices but they don’t connect, go to the next step.
  5. Close the lid, wait 15 seconds, then open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the charging case for up to 10 seconds. The status light on the front of the charging case should flash white, which means that your AirPods are ready to connect.
    AirPods charging cases
  6. Hold the charging case, with your AirPods inside and the lid open, next to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  7. Follow the steps on the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  8. Test your AirPods. If you still can’t connect, reset your AirPods.

If your AirPods won’t connect - Apple Support

Software requirements

  • If you have AirPods Pro (2nd generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 16 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 16.1 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 9 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 16 or later; or a Mac with macOS Ventura.
  • If you have AirPods (3rd generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 15.1 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 15.1 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 8.1 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 15.1 or later; or a Mac with macOS 12 or later.
  • If you have AirPods Pro (1st generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 13.2 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 13.2 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 6.1 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 13.2 or later; or a Mac with macOS 10.15.1 or later.
  • If you have AirPods (2nd generation), you need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 12.2 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 5.2 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 12.2 or later; or a Mac with macOS 10.14.4 or later.
  • If you have AirPods (1st generation), you need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 10 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 11 or later; or a Mac with macOS Sierra or later.