How to Reset AirPods
How to factory reset AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Fixes connection problems, audio issues, and pairing failures.
AirPods are usually seamless. Until they are not. One day they just stop connecting properly, only play from one side, cut out at random, or refuse to pair with a new device. A factory reset is the first fix to try for all of these.
Resetting AirPods takes a minute or two. It clears all pairing data and custom settings, so they connect as if you had just opened the box. After the reset, you pair them again like new.
The process differs by model in a way that matters. Older AirPods and AirPods Pro use a button on the case. The newest cases have no such button and use a tap sequence instead. AirPods Max are different again. This guide covers all three.
Your AirPods and their charging case. The case needs some battery charge. For AirPods Max, you just need the headphones themselves.
Put AirPods in the charging case and close the lid
Place both AirPods in their charging case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds. This ensures the AirPods are in a known state and connected to the case properly. The case needs at least some charge for the reset to work. If your case is dead, charge it for a few minutes first. The AirPods themselves also need to be seated properly with the charging contacts aligned.
Forget the AirPods from your device
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list of paired devices and tap the info icon (the "i" in a circle) next to the name. Tap "Forget This Device" and confirm. This removes the pairing from your iCloud account and all devices signed in with the same Apple Account, which Apple called an Apple ID until iOS 18. If you are resetting because the AirPods will not connect at all, skip this step and proceed to the physical reset. You can always forget the device after re-pairing.
Open the lid and trigger the reset
Open the charging case lid with the AirPods inside. What you do next depends on which AirPods you own. If your case has a setup button, it is a small circular button on the back (it may be recessed). Press and hold this button for about 15 seconds. The status light on the front of the case will flash amber (orange) a few times, then flash white. When the light flashes white, the reset is complete. Release the button. The AirPods are now in factory state, disconnected from all previous devices, and ready to pair as new. That is the procedure for AirPods up to the 3rd generation and AirPods Pro 1 and 2. Apple documents a different one for AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Pro 3, whose cases have no setup button at all. With the lid open, double-tap the front of the case while the status light is on, double-tap again when the light flashes white, then double-tap a third time when it flashes faster. The light runs amber and then white the same way. If you have been turning the case over looking for a button, this is why you cannot find one.
Good to know: If the light does not flash amber and then white, Apple's own fallback is to close the case for 20 seconds, open it again, and repeat the procedure for your model. On the AirPods Pro cases that do have a setup button, it is slightly recessed and wants deliberate pressure.
Pair the AirPods again
With the case lid open and the AirPods inside, hold the case near your iPhone or iPad. A setup animation should appear on your screen within a few seconds, similar to when you first got the AirPods. Tap Connect, then follow the on-screen prompts. The AirPods will pair with your device and sync across all devices on your Apple Account via iCloud. If the animation does not appear, go to Settings > Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is on, and look for the AirPods in the available devices list.
Reset AirPods Max (different process)
For AirPods Max, the process is different because there is no charging case with a setup button. Apple's instruction is to press and hold the listening mode button and the Digital Crown for 15 seconds, until the LED flashes amber, then white. The listening mode button is the one you press to switch between noise cancellation and transparency, and the light sits next to the charging port. Release the buttons when the light flashes white. The AirPods Max are now reset. To pair again, hold them near your iPhone with Bluetooth on and follow the setup prompt.
Reconfigure your settings after pairing
After re-pairing, your personalized settings are gone. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and reconfigure your preferences. This includes the name of your AirPods, what each AirPod does on double-tap or squeeze (play/pause, next track, Siri, noise control), ear detection on/off, and spatial audio settings. If you use AirPods Pro, AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, AirPods 5, or AirPods Max, reconfigure the transparency mode and noise cancellation preferences. Run the fit test to check you are on the right size tips for a proper seal. Wear the AirPods, open Settings and tap your AirPods name at the top of the screen, then select Ear Tip Fit Test. Newer models label the same thing Test Acoustic Seal, so look for either.
After resetting, your AirPods will behave like a brand new pair. If the original problem persists after a reset and re-pairing, the issue is likely hardware related (a failing battery, a damaged speaker, or a defective Bluetooth antenna). At that point, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for diagnosis. AppleCare+ covers AirPods, and out-of-warranty battery service is available for a fixed fee.
Questions we get asked about this
Answers from experience, not a textbook.
Yes. A factory reset erases all custom settings, including the device name, double-tap (1st and 2nd gen) or press/squeeze (3rd gen, AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and Pro) actions, ear detection preferences, and all pairing information. You will need to set these up again after re-pairing. The reset does not affect any content on your phone or other devices. Only the AirPods themselves are reset.
Yes. After a factory reset, AirPods can pair with any Bluetooth device, not just Apple products. With the AirPods in the case and the lid open, Apple's steps are to press and hold the setup button on the back until the light flashes white, or on AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Pro 3, to double-tap the front of the case until it does. Then select them in the Bluetooth list on your Android phone, Windows PC, or other device. Some features (automatic switching, spatial audio, Siri) are Apple-exclusive, but basic audio playback and microphone functionality work on any Bluetooth device.
Sometimes. If the volume imbalance is caused by a software or firmware glitch, a reset fixes it. If it is caused by earwax or debris blocking the speaker mesh, clean the AirPods first. Use a dry, soft-bristled brush to gently clean the speaker grille and microphone openings. A slightly damp lint-free cloth can clean the exterior. Never insert anything into the speaker opening. If cleaning and resetting do not fix the imbalance, the speaker may be failing and needs Apple service.
Reset them for disconnection issues, especially if the problem started suddenly after a software update or a firmware change. After resetting, also check that your iPhone is running the latest iOS version, that Bluetooth is not being interfered with (other Bluetooth devices and Wi-Fi routers can sometimes cause interference), and that both AirPods are charging properly in the case. Persistent disconnection after a reset may indicate a hardware issue with the Bluetooth antenna.
Connect your AirPods to your iPhone. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods name. Scroll down to the About section. The firmware version is listed there. AirPods update firmware automatically, and there is no button to force it. To prompt an update, connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi, put the AirPods in their case, close the lid, connect the case to power, and keep it within Bluetooth range of the iPhone. Apple says to wait at least 30 minutes, then open the lid and check the version again.
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How to Reset AirPods
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