As an owner of AirPods, I know all too well the frustration of losing one of my beloved earbuds. After doing some research and testing out a few solutions, I’m here to share with you how I was able to find my missing AirPod and other potential solutions you can try if you find yourself in the same situation.
Update: The AirPods Pro 2 case and newer features find my iPhone. If the lost AirPod is in the case, you can get the case to play a sound via find my iPhone as well as track the case.
To find one missing AirPod, you can put the other AirPod in the case then see the last known location of the missing AirPod using the “Find my” app on iPhone. Alternatively, you can try to see if you can get it to appear on your phone’s Bluetooth. Otherwise, your only option will be to retrace your steps.
| Tips for finding one missing AirPod |
|---|
| Put the other AirPod in the case, then use the “Find my” app on iPhone to see the last known location of the missing AirPod. |
| Try to see if the missing AirPod appears on your phone’s Bluetooth. |
Table of Contents
How to find a missing AirPod?
Below are options you have when searching for a single missing AirPod.
Find my iPhone
The “Find My” app on iPhone allows you to track your Apple devices. It can also be used via iCloud.com. To use it to find your dead AirPod do the following:
- Place the AirPod that you still have in the case. This will update find my iphone to track the other AirPod.
- Turn on “Find my” in the settings on your iPhone
- Open your Apple ID settings then click on “Find My”
- Ensure “Find my iPhone” is turned on and “Send Last Location”
- Open the “Find my” app
- If your AirPods are listed on the devices, it should show their last known location
If your AirPods are not appearing on Find my iPhone, I have written about a number of possible reasons why here.
Look for your AirPod on Bluetooth
It would also help to go to where you think the AirPod is and to try to see if the AirPod appears on the Bluetooth. If it does, it means that the AirPod must be nearby.
Try to remember where you last used the AirPods
It would help to try to remind yourself of where you last used the AirPods.
If you know that you last used the AirPods in a certain room, you can search the room by starting in a certain location in the room and then working your way around the room.
It would help to look underneath things such as chairs, cushions, mattresses, and beds since the AirPods might have fallen underneath.
Consider where you normally use the AirPods
It would also help to consider where you most frequently use the AirPods since that is the most likely location, if you cannot remember where you last used them.
Consider if you have pets
If you have a dog, it might be the case that your dog ate the AirPods or that your dog picked up the AirPods and took them elsewhere.
In this case, it would help to look at spots where your dog tends to go since the AirPods might be there.
Consider how long it has been since you have last used the AirPods
Many users have reported their AirPods dying because they were left at 0% charge for too long.
If your AirPods has been at 0% charge for longer than a week and you cannot find the AirPods through Bluetooth, it could be the case that the battery has actually died.
Read more: How to end a call using AirPods
How to find a missing AirPod when it is dead?
If your AirPod is dead, you can take a look at Find my iPhone as mentioned above to see the last known location of the AirPod.
It is important that you put your other AirPod in the case so that Find my iPhone shows the location of the missing AirPod.
If your AirPod is no longer in the location that Find my says it is, your only option will be to retrace your steps.
Read more: Can AirPods be used in the cold?
How to find a missing AirPod pro?
To find a missing AirPod Pro, you can use the “Find my” app as mentioned above and try to see if it appears on your Bluetooth.
Otherwise, your only option will be to try and retrace your steps using the method as mentioned above.
Can I pair a new AirPod with my current one?
If you are unable to find your missing AirPod, some good news is that you can pair two AirPods together if they are from different sets.
However, they need to be a left and a right AirPod and it can’t be an AirPod and an AirPod Pro. They must both be AirPods from the same generation or they must both be AirPod Pros.
To do this, you need to put them both in the case, open the lid and then hold on the button for 15 seconds until the light on the case flashes orange.
