As an AirPods owner, I have experienced the frustration of not being able to connect my AirPods to my device. From time to time, I have found my AirPods not appearing on my device list, leaving me confused and unsure of how to proceed. In this blog post, I will explain some of the reasons why your AirPods may not be appearing on your device list, and how to fix the issue.
The primary reason for not seeing your AirPods on your iPhone’s device list is if the AirPods are not fully charged. Consider charging your AirPods first as you evaluate the issue. If your AirPods are sufficiently charged, then there might be another problem – possibly the AirPods might be out of Bluetooth range, incompatible with your iOS, or someone stole and was able to reset them.
Let’s expand more on why you may not see your AirPods on your device and give you insights on how to resolve the issue.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| AirPods may not appear on the device list if they are out of range, out of charge, or incompatible with the iOS. |
| Use the Find My iPhone app on your iPhone to locate your AirPods if they are lost and out of range. |
| Ensure that your AirPods are fully charged, in range, and your iOS device is updated with the minimum system requirements. |
| The Find My feature can detect the location of lost AirPods for up to 18 hours if they are still in the case and 72 hours if they are out of the case. |
Table of Contents
Out of Range
There are a few reasons you may not see your AirPods on your device list. First, AirPods are small, and it’s possible to lose them. If they are out of range for any reason, you will not see them in your device list.
According to Apple, the recommended operating distance for this gadget is between 30 and 60 feet. That’s a range of roughly 10 to 18 meters.
Essentially, this means you won’t have to worry about not seeing your Airpods in your device list until you are 18 meters away from your phone.
The most available and automatic solution to finding your AirPods if lost and out of range is trying to locate them using your iPhone with the Find My iPhone app. To do this, they must be discoverable on the device list.
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Out of Charge Issue
If your AirPods’ charge is drained, they will be missing from your device list. So consider putting them in their case for charging when not in use.
Also, ensure the case is fully charged so it can serve you many times, even when not near a power source. Ideally, your Airpods will take approximately 20 minutes to charge.
Incompatibility Issue
If your AirPods are fully charged and in range, but you still can’t locate them on your device, you might want to check for updates.
First, make sure your iOS device meets the minimum system requirements if you’ve never used AirPods before. Your iOS device must run iOS 10 or later to use first-generation AirPods, and you’ll need iOS 12.2 or later to use second-generation AirPods, which have a better update. These include AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.
How Do I Add AirPods to My Device List?
Usually, your Airpods will be automatically added when your ‘Find my’ is activated. However, to ensure that the Airpods are on your iPhone’s device list, you will need to pair and connect them.
Read more: Can AirPods work as a mic on Xbox?
Here’s how to pair the buds with your iPhone.
- Open the case lid and leave both buds in the case during the whole setup. Note that the buds will not pair with your iPhone if one bud is missing.
- Open your Bluetooth settings. Go to settings, Bluetooth, and then toggle Bluetooth on your IOS device.
- On the back of your Airpods case, you’ll see the setup button. Press on it until a white light starts to blink. This allows your devices to pair.
Your AirPods and iPhone will connect without any issue, and your AirPods will be visible on your device list. The good thing is that you can also use the Airpods with other types of OS, like your Android device and Windows. However, you cannot locate the Airpods if they are stolen or lost.
Can I Find My Airpods in My Device List if Stolen?
You can find your Airpods if someone steals them and has not tampered with them.
However, if they had the nerve to reset the Airpods, they cannot be traced back to the original owner. Despite Apple introducing the Find My Airpods feature, they’re gone once someone else resets them.
Why Did My AirPods Disappear From “Find My” Feature?
The “Find My” feature is a good tool you can use to locate your lost AirPods. But your Airpods will not forever appear on your device list. Here are a few reasons why your Airpods disappeared from your Find My app.
- Your Airpods may be out of Bluetooth range.
- Your AirPods charge is completely drained, and they go off.
- Your Airpods may also disappear if they are in a closed case.
If the above happens, the best way to find them is to search manually. Most likely, they’ll be in the last location you remember having them.
How Long Do AirPods Stay on Find My iPhone?
If your AirPods are lost but connected to Find My, you can easily track them. However, if they go missing and your Find My was not activated, then you can’t use it to locate them.
But how long do the AirPods last on the Find My iPhone app?
Apple says that the Find My feature can detect lost Airpods’ location for 18 hours if they are still in the case and 72 hours if they are out of the case.
Bottom Line
Your AirPods will definitely disappear from your device list if they are out of charge, out of range, or incompatible with your iOS.
Considering the small size, losing your Airpods is not new at all. You may often lose them in your house, office, vehicle, or even when running in the park.
Fortunately, the Find My feature may help you locate them with ease. Ensure that the Find My feature is always activated and the Airpods are adequately charged to allow easy tracking.
Pros
- The Find My feature allows you to easily locate lost AirPods.
- AirPods are compatible with other OS, like Android and Windows.
- The product is small and easily fits in your pocket.
- The Find My feature can detect lost Airpods’ location for up to 18 hours if they are still in the case and 72 hours if they are out of the case.
Cons
- The AirPods are easy to lose.
- The Find My feature will not work if someone resets the AirPods.
- The AirPods will not appear on your device list if they are out of Bluetooth range.
- The AirPods will not appear on your device list if they are out of charge.
