How to Reset AirPods

How to Reset AirPods – A Step-by-Step Guide

Resetting your AirPods is an easy process that can fix a lot of common issues like failed connections, syncing problems between buds, and bugs introduced after a software update. It essentially allows you to start fresh with your AirPods‘ settings.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through exactly how to reset AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.

Why Reset Your AirPods
Before jumping into the step-by-step instructions, let‘s discuss why you may need to reset your AirPods in the first place. Some common reasons include:

Connectivity Issues
If your AirPods are failing to connect properly to your devices, a reset can often resolve this. It forces your AirPods to delete the existing "pairing" and make a fresh connection.

Software Bugs
Sometimes a buggy software update can cause sound quality issues or problems with active noise cancellation. Resetting them essentially reinstalls the firmware and clears out any bugs.

Syncing Problems Between Buds
If one AirPod seems louder than the other or they fall out of sync, a reset will resynchronize them by deleting existing settings and restoring balance.

Preparing to Use With New Apple ID
Before using AirPods that were connected to another person‘s Apple ID, you‘ll need to factory reset them to remove the prior association.

Step 1: Disconnect From Bluetooth
First, you‘ll want to disconnect your AirPods from any devices they‘re currently paired with via Bluetooth.

On an iPhone or iPad:

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and find your AirPods in the list of devices.
2. Tap the "i" icon next to them.
3. Tap "Forget this Device" then confirm by tapping "Forget Device" again.

This will disconnect the pairing between your AirPods and that particular device. Repeat these steps for every device you use with your AirPods.

On a Mac:

1. Click the Bluetooth icon in your menu bar and select your AirPods.
2. Click "Disconnect" to break the Bluetooth pairing with your Mac.

Step 2: Reset AirPods
Next, hold down the setup button on the back of your AirPods case to initiate a factory reset.

For regular AirPods:

1. Put both AirPods in the case and close the lid. Keep them in the case for 30 seconds before continuing.
2. Open the lid of the AirPods case.
3. Press and HOLD the small, circular setup button on the back of the case for 15+ seconds until the status light flashes amber then white.

For AirPods Pro:

1. Follow the same steps, holding the setup button on the back of the wireless charging case for the Pro version for 15+ seconds until you see the light signals indicating a successful reset.

For AirPods Max:

Since these don‘t come with a case, the reset process is slightly different.

1. Hold down the noise control button AND Digital Crown simultaneously for 12+ seconds until the status light blinks amber then white.

Note that the light indicators mentioned above may be located in a different spot based on your specific AirPods model. For the standard AirPods, for example, it will be inside the case near the charging ports. Refer to Apple‘s support documentation for your exact version‘s layout if needed.

Step 3: Re-Pair Your AirPods
The final step is to re-pair the freshly reset AirPods with your device(s) via Bluetooth again as if they were brand new.

On iPhone/iPad:

1. Go back to Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Open the lid of your AirPods case near the iOS device. After a few moments, they will show up prompting you to connect.
3. Tap "Connect" to pair them.

On Mac:

1. Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth.
2. Open your AirPods case lid next to the Mac. In a few seconds they will show up in the list of devices.
3. Click "Connect" to reconnect and pair with the Mac.

You‘ll have to repeat the re-pairing process for every device you use your AirPods with – but now they‘ll be freshly reset.

Removing AirPods From an Apple ID
Now let‘s discuss how to unlink your AirPods from a specific Apple ID account. This is important if you‘re trying to use a pair of AirPods that was previously associated with someone else‘s iPhone or iPad. The steps are as follows:

1. Ensure the AirPods are currently connected to the device with the Apple ID in question. You‘ll get an error if they aren‘t paired.
2. Open the Find My app on the device.
3. Select the Items tab, then tap the AirPods icon.
4. Swipe up from the bottom and tap "Remove This Device" then "Remove" again to confirm.

The AirPods will then be dissociated from that Apple ID so someone else can connect them without issue.

Troubleshooting Problems Resetting AirPods

Sometimes you may run into difficulty trying to reset your AirPods and the steps above don‘t seem to work. Here is some troubleshooting advice:

• Hold the setup button down longer. Try 20 or 30 seconds instead of just 15 to ensure the reset takes.
• Check that your AirPods case is charged. There‘s no battery light indicator, but if they haven‘t been charged lately the button press may not register.
• Clean the charging contacts. Debris buildup in the port can prevent the reset signal from going through. Carefully clean with a soft-bristled brush.
• Reset using Find My app. If the setup button method doesn‘t work, try removing them from your Apple ID via the Find My app as explained above.

If none of these troubleshooting tips resolve the issue – reach out to Apple support for further assistance.

FAQs About Resetting AirPods

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about resetting your AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max:

How can I reset my AirPods Max without a case?
Hold down the noise control button and Digital Crown for 15+ seconds until you see the status light blink amber then white.

Why won‘t my AirPods reset?
Check that your charging case has battery and clean any debris buildup in the charging port that could be preventing a good connection. Also try holding the button down for 30+ seconds.

How many times can I reset my AirPods?
You can reset your AirPods as many times as needed. There is no limit to the number of resets.

Do AirPods reset when you reset your iPhone?
No, resetting your iPhone does not also reset your AirPods. Resetting network settings on your iPhone won‘t affect the AirPods either. You have to manually reset the AirPods themselves via the steps outlined above.

How do I reset AirPods I bought used?
If the previous owner has dissociated them from their Apple ID in Find My app, you can simply follow the factory reset process above. But if not, you‘ll need to get the original owner to remove the AirPods from their account first.

In Summary

Hopefully this guide gave you a thorough walkthrough explaining how to properly reset AirPods or AirPods Pro in a few quick steps to fix connectivity problems or prepare them for a new owner.

While they don‘t have a traditional factory reset button, holding the setup button performs essentially the same function – giving you a "clean slate" to resolve any unusual issues happening with your AirPods.