Can you connect to AirPods when the case is closed?

As an AirPods owner, I was frustrated to find out that I couldn’t connect to my AirPods when the case was closed. After a bit of research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved the issue and what other solutions I discovered in the process.

It is not possible to connect to AirPods if the case is closed and the AirPods are inside the case because the AirPods get turned off when inside the case with the lid closed. If your AirPods are not inside the case, it will still be possible to connect the AirPods to devices that they have already been paired with. Once AirPods have been paired with a device, the case is no longer needed to connect to that device.

Tips:
AirPods cannot be connected if they are inside the case with the lid closed.
The case is irrelevant when reconnecting AirPods to paired devices.
AirPods cannot update their location on the “Find My” app if they are in the case.
The cause for AirPods connecting while in the case might be due to a lid that is not closing properly, a case that is out of power, a broken case, or debris in the case.
To fix the issue, try charging the case, inspecting the case for debris, and reconnecting AirPods to the device.

Table of Contents

Can you connect to AirPods when the case is closed?

It should not be the case that you can connect to the AirPods when the case is closed if your AirPods are inside the case.

When the AirPods or AirPod Pros are placed inside the case, they get turned off and are no longer able to be paired with.

However, if the AirPods are not inside the case, you can connect the AirPods to devices that they have already been paired with.

You do not need the case to reconnect AirPods to devices that they have already been paired with and therefore whether or not the case is closed is irrelevant.

With that being said, it is necessary to put the AirPods inside the case and to open the lid in order to pair AirPods with new devices for the first time, to reset your AirPods or to reconnect your AirPods to a device if you forget them from that device’s Bluetooth.

Can you find AirPods when the case is closed?

If your AirPods are in the case, it will not be possible for them to update their location on the “Find My” app on your iPhone. However, the app should still show their last known location.

Otherwise, you will have to find them again by using traditional searching methods such as retracing your steps or looking in places where you frequently use your AirPods.

Why are my AirPods still connected even after closing the lid?

If your AirPods have been connecting while in the case, the cause might be that the lid is not closing properly, the case is out of power, the case is broken or because there are debris in the case.

When you open the case, an orange or green light should appear. If you do not see any light, it means that the case is out of power or it is broken. In this case, it would help to try charging your case.

When you start charging the case, an orange light should appear. If it does not appear, it would likely mean that the case is broken.

It would also help to inspect the case to see if there is any debris inside the case that is causing your AirPods to stay turned on while inside the case.

It would also help to try reconnecting your AirPods to your device since it might be the case that there is actually an issue between the case, the AirPods and the device you are using.

To do this do as follows:

Forget the AirPods on the device you are using

Put your AirPods in the case
Press the button on the case for 15 seconds
Wait 30 seconds

Open the lid and hold the button on the case
Reconnect your AirPods to your Mac