If you’re having problems with your AirPods Pro, such as connection issues, audio dropouts, or battery life problems, a reset may be the answer. Resetting your AirPods Pro will restore them to their factory settings, which can often fix minor problems.
But how do you go about this?
Let’s find out…
Quick Answer
Here are a few quick methods to reset AirPods Pro:
- Reset using the charging case:
- Put your AirPods Pro in the charging case and close the lid.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Open the lid of the charging case and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.
- Release the setup button.
- Your AirPods Pro will now be reset.
- Reset using the Settings app:
- Make sure that your AirPods Pro are connected to your iPhone or iPad.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Bluetooth.
- Tap on the “i” icon next to your AirPods Pro.
- Tap on Forget This Device.
- Tap on Forget Device to confirm.
- To reconnect your AirPods Pro, put them in the charging case and open the lid. Bring the case close to your iPhone or iPad and follow the on-screen instructions.
What to Do If Your AirPods Refuse to Reset
If your AirPods do not reset after following the steps above, here are some alternatives:
#1. Clean your AirPods and their Case
Dirt and debris can become trapped on the stem of your AirPods or within the case, preventing them from fully contacting the charging plate. This may cause your charging case to fail to recognize your AirPods, making it difficult to properly reset them.
Wipe down your AirPods and case with a lint-free cloth or paper towel, as well as Q-tips dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Pay attention to the tail of the AirPods and the inside of the charging case.
#2. Contact Apple Support
If none of the above methods successfully reset your AirPods, it could be a hardware issue.
The best thing you can do in this case is to contact Apple support.
Resetting AirPods and AirPods Pro
#1. Place your AirPods in their charging case and wait.
- Step 1: Get your charging case and, if you haven’t already, place your AirPods inside. This also applies to the AirPods Pro, which have the same resetting instructions.
- Step 2: Close the case and wait 30 seconds to one minute. Apple recommends doing this so that if one of your AirPods has completely depleted its battery, it can recharge briefly and be recognized by the case before the reset begins.
- Step 3: If the battery in your case is low, charge it before attempting to reset it. You won’t be able to properly reset the case if it doesn’t have a charge.
#2. Activate and Deactivate your AirPods
Apple introduced a dedicated AirPods tab in the Settings app of your iPhone last year, as well as Personalized Spatial Audio for compatible AirPods products, with iOS 16.
- Step 1: Have your Apple device and AirPods ready. Open your AirPods case so the Apple device can detect them, and then navigate to Settings.
- Step 2: If you’re using an iPhone running iOS 16, if you’ve paired your AirPods at least once, you’ll see a dedicated AirPods tab just below your Apple ID.
To reset your AirPods, first select the tab, then tap the blue (i) emblem next to their name. Then select Forget this device. - Step 3: If you have an iPhone that isn’t yet running iOS 16, the steps below will allow you to reset your AirPods.
- Navigate to Bluetooth in Settings and locate your connected AirPods. Select the blue (i) (More info) button next to them. Select the Forget this device option. Confirm your choice, and when your AirPods are no longer connected, move your Apple device to another room and reconnect your AirPods.
- Stop here if your AirPods/AirPods Pro are experiencing basic sound issues, such as no audio. Return to the Settings menu and reconnect your AirPods manually. This can sometimes resolve minor issues without requiring a full reset.
#3. Finish the Reset
- Step 1: Keep your AirPods case lid open. Keep an eye out for the indicator light. Most AirPod models have this light on the front of the case, but the very first generation has it on the inside of the case.
- Step 2: Locate the Setup button on the back of your AirPods. This is a small, circular button with a faint outline beneath the case lid.
- Step 3: Press and hold the Setup button — you should be able to feel it when you do. Hold the button down and keep an eye on the indicator light on your charging case, which should begin pulsing white. After about 15 seconds, the light should flash amber before changing to white. When this occurs, you can release the setup button. Your AirPods have been restored.
#4. Connect your AirPods Again
You can now retrieve your Apple device and bring it close to your AirPods to reconnect them. Keep the AirPods charging case lid open and wait for your Apple device to restart setup procedures (if your AirPods don’t appear, close the lid and reopen it). Finish the setup and pairing, and you’re finished! You’ll need to re-answer some basic questions about learning gesture controls and Siri, as well as fit tests for AirPods Pro, and so on.
Why Should You Reset Your Apple AirPods?
Resetting your AirPods may be necessary for a variety of reasons. If the AirPods aren’t charging, resetting them usually solves the problem. Furthermore, if the AirPods won’t connect to your device or keep dropping the connection, or if you’re experiencing software glitches, disconnecting and resetting the AirPods is the first thing you should try to fix the problem. However, if resetting does not resolve the problem, you should contact Apple.
How Do I Reactivate Second-Hand Airpods?
Because AirPods can only be associated with one Apple ID, you must remove them from their original Apple ID. To do so, the previous owner must open the Find My app on their iOS device, iPad, or Apple computer and delete the device from the Find My settings. Check out Apple’s guide on how to remove a device from an Apple ID for more information.
Resetting AirPods or AirPods Pros Without a Device
If you don’t have your Apple device nearby, you can still reset your AirPods or AirPods Pro. To begin, ensure that they are in their charging case and that the lid is open.
Then, for 15 seconds, press and hold the button on the back of the case until the status light flashes amber, then white.
Once your device is within range, place your AirPods or AirPods Pro in their charging case with the lid open and close to your Apple device. Then, follow the instructions on your device’s screen—they may differ depending on the device type.
Delete AirPods or AirPods Pro From Your Apple ID
AirPods and AirPods Pro can only be linked to one Apple ID. If you want to use someone else’s AirPods or AirPods Pro, they must first remove them from their Apple ID. To do so, they must first launch the Find My app on their iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.
Then, select the Items tab, followed by the Devices tab. After that, on the list of devices, click the AirPods or AirPods Pro, then select “Remove This Device,” then tap “Remove” to confirm. On a Mac, open the Find My app and select the Devices tab to remove AirPods or AirPods Pro from an Apple ID. Click the More Info tab (i) on the map, then “Remove This Device.”
Can You Reactivate Used AirPods?
Yes, it is possible to reset used AirPods. There is, however, a catch: AirPods can only be connected to one Apple device at a time.
Although AirPods can connect to devices with different Apple IDs, features like Find My AirPods are only available to the primary user of the AirPods.
How Do You Reset Your AirPods Max?
To reset AirPods Max, press and hold the digital crown and noise control button together. Check out our separate guide to resetting AirPods Max for more information.
Can AirPods be tracked after they’ve been reset?
Reset AirPods cannot be tracked, even with their “Find My AirPods” features.
What if you don’t own an Apple product?
The steps are the same if you are using an Android platform instead. Instead of having your AirPods automatically set up at the end, you will have to go to the Bluetooth section of your Android device and manually search for, then reconnect, your AirPods.
Got AirPods Max instead?
After charging your AirPods Max for a minute, locate the Digital Crown and noise-control buttons on the same side of one earcup. The status light is located at the bottom of this earcup. Hold down both the Digital Crown and the Noise Control buttons for about 15 seconds, or until the light flashes amber and then white.
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