Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesStart with charging, Bluetooth, and audio-output checks before resetting. If those do not restore the connection, forget the old pairing if it appears on your iPhone, reset AirPods using the steps for their model, then bring the open case near the iPhone and follow the onscreen setup.
Try these connection checks first
A reset is not the first step for every audio problem. Apple advises checking that the device AirPods are paired with is up to date. Apple’s connection troubleshooting guide also recommends checking charge and Bluetooth, then selecting AirPods as the audio output.
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- Put both AirPods in the case and make sure they are charging.
- Confirm Bluetooth is on and the iPhone is up to date.
- Open Control Center, tap the audio-output control, select AirPods if they are listed, and test playback.
If AirPods still will not connect, continue with the reset for their generation.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Forget the old pairing on the iPhone
If the AirPods are still listed on the iPhone they were paired with, remove that saved connection before resetting:
#1 Best Overall
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
- Open Settings > Bluetooth.
- Tap the info button next to the AirPods under My Devices.
- Tap Forget This Device and confirm.
If they are not listed, skip this step. Apple’s reset instructions call for forgetting an existing pairing when it is present.
Reset AirPods using the control for their model
Check the case before you begin: AirPods 1, 2, and 3 and AirPods Pro 1 and 2 use a setup button on the back; all AirPods 4 models and AirPods Pro 3 use taps on the front. The reset is confirmed when the status light flashes amber and then white.
Rank #2
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
AirPods 1, 2, or 3; AirPods Pro 1 or 2
- Put both AirPods in the case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds.
- Forget the AirPods from the iPhone’s Bluetooth list if they are still there.
- Open the case lid and press and hold the setup button on the back for about 15 seconds.
- Release the button when the status light flashes amber and then white.
AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 3
- Put both AirPods in the case, close the lid, and wait 30 seconds.
- Forget the AirPods from the iPhone’s Bluetooth list if they are still there.
- Open the case. Double-tap the front of the case while the status light is on.
- When the light flashes white, double-tap the front again. When it flashes faster, double-tap a third time.
- Wait for the light to flash amber and then white.
Follow Apple’s model-specific reset guide if the light sequence differs or you need to confirm the steps for your exact model.
AirPods Max
Do not use the case-based steps above for AirPods Max. Apple’s separate AirPods Max guide distinguishes a restart from a factory reset: release the Digital Crown and listening-mode button when the light flashes amber, at around 10 seconds, to restart; continue until it flashes white, at around 15 seconds, to reset. These are approximate timings in Apple’s instructions.
Rank #3
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Reconnect AirPods to the iPhone
- With the AirPods in their open case, hold the case near the iPhone.
- When the setup animation appears, follow the onscreen steps.
- If no animation appears, put the AirPods into pairing mode: use the front-of-case tap sequence for AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 3, or the rear setup button for the other earbud models covered above. Wait for the status light to flash white.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth and select AirPods when they appear.
Apple’s manual pairing guide for iOS 27 and later also explains selecting AirPods directly from Bluetooth settings if automatic setup does not appear.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If AirPods still will not pair
- Check again that both earbuds charge in the case, Bluetooth is on, and the iPhone is up to date. In Control Center, select AirPods as the audio output if available and test playback.
- For another pairing attempt, close the case for 15 seconds, reopen it, put the AirPods in pairing mode using the control for their model, and hold the open case near the iPhone.
- If a reset does not reach the white-flashing light, close the case for 20 seconds, reopen it, and repeat the full model-specific reset sequence.
- If the problem continues, contact Apple Support. Apple’s connection guidance does not establish one cause for every persistent pairing failure.
If you are setting up replacement earbuds or a replacement case, use Apple’s replacement-part setup instructions instead of treating that process as a routine reset. They include placing both AirPods in the case, connecting it to power, and waiting 20 minutes before completing setup.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
- Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
- Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to your ears
- Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
Rank #4
- Automatically on, automatically connected
- Easy setup for all your Apple devices
- Quick access to Siri by saying “Hey Siri”
- Double-tap to play or skip forward
- New Apple H1 headphone chip delivers faster wireless connection to your devices
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