You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

General and ongoing cleaning can help you maintain your AirPods or AirPods Pro.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

My AirPod won’t pair with iPhone? It’s not even being recognized?

AirPod is not pairing?

Posted on Oct 13, 2022 7:22 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 13, 2022 7:59 PM

Hello,

If you need help connecting to your AirPods, learn what to do.


If you can't connect to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

  • Make sure that your iPhone or iPod touch has the latest version of iOS or that your iPad has the latest version of iPadOS.
  • Put both AirPods in the charging case and make sure that both AirPods are charging.
  • To make sure that Bluetooth is on, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
  • If your AirPods are connected, make sure that they're selected as your audio device. If your AirPods appear in the list of devices but they don't connect, go to the next step.
  • Close the lid, wait 15 seconds, then open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the charging case for up to 10 seconds. The status light on the front of the charging case should flash white, which means that your AirPods are ready to connect.



  • Hold the charging case, with your AirPods inside and the lid open, next to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  • Follow the steps on the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  • Test your AirPods. If you still can't connect, reset your AirPods.


If you can't connect to your Mac

  • Make sure that you have a Mac with the latest version of macOS.
  • Put both AirPods in the charging case and make sure that both AirPods are charging.
  • To make sure that Bluetooth is on, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.
  • If your AirPods are connected, make sure that they're selected as your audio device. If your AirPods appear in the list of devices but they don't connect, click the X to the right of your AirPods to remove them from the list.
  • Close the lid, wait 15 seconds, then open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the charging case for up to 10 seconds. The status light should flash white, which means that your AirPods are ready to connect.
  • Hold the charging case, with your AirPods inside and the lid open, next to your Mac.
  • Follow the steps on the screen of your Mac.
  • Test your AirPods. If you still can't connect, reset your AirPods.



Software requirements

  • If you have AirPods Pro (2nd generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 16 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 16.1 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 9 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 16 or later; or a Mac with macOS Ventura.
  • If you have AirPods (3rd generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 15.1 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 15.1 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 8.1 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 15.1 or later; or a Mac with macOS 12 or later.
  • If you have AirPods Pro (1st generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 13.2 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 13.2 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 6.1 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 13.2 or later; or a Mac with macOS 10.15.1 or later.
  • If you have AirPods (2nd generation), you need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 12.2 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 5.2 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 12.2 or later; or a Mac with macOS 10.14.4 or later.
  • If you have AirPods (1st generation), you need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 10 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 11 or later; or a Mac with macOS Sierra or later.


If you still need help, contact Apple Support.


Thanks for reaching out!

-Drake



2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 13, 2022 7:59 PM in response to Planokh

Hello,

If you need help connecting to your AirPods, learn what to do.


If you can't connect to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

  • Make sure that your iPhone or iPod touch has the latest version of iOS or that your iPad has the latest version of iPadOS.
  • Put both AirPods in the charging case and make sure that both AirPods are charging.
  • To make sure that Bluetooth is on, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
  • If your AirPods are connected, make sure that they're selected as your audio device. If your AirPods appear in the list of devices but they don't connect, go to the next step.
  • Close the lid, wait 15 seconds, then open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the charging case for up to 10 seconds. The status light on the front of the charging case should flash white, which means that your AirPods are ready to connect.



  • Hold the charging case, with your AirPods inside and the lid open, next to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  • Follow the steps on the screen of your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  • Test your AirPods. If you still can't connect, reset your AirPods.


If you can't connect to your Mac

  • Make sure that you have a Mac with the latest version of macOS.
  • Put both AirPods in the charging case and make sure that both AirPods are charging.
  • To make sure that Bluetooth is on, choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.
  • If your AirPods are connected, make sure that they're selected as your audio device. If your AirPods appear in the list of devices but they don't connect, click the X to the right of your AirPods to remove them from the list.
  • Close the lid, wait 15 seconds, then open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the charging case for up to 10 seconds. The status light should flash white, which means that your AirPods are ready to connect.
  • Hold the charging case, with your AirPods inside and the lid open, next to your Mac.
  • Follow the steps on the screen of your Mac.
  • Test your AirPods. If you still can't connect, reset your AirPods.



Software requirements

  • If you have AirPods Pro (2nd generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 16 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 16.1 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 9 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 16 or later; or a Mac with macOS Ventura.
  • If you have AirPods (3rd generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 15.1 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 15.1 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 8.1 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 15.1 or later; or a Mac with macOS 12 or later.
  • If you have AirPods Pro (1st generation), you need an iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 13.2 or later; an iPad with iPadOS 13.2 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 6.1 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 13.2 or later; or a Mac with macOS 10.15.1 or later.
  • If you have AirPods (2nd generation), you need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 12.2 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 5.2 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 12.2 or later; or a Mac with macOS 10.14.4 or later.
  • If you have AirPods (1st generation), you need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 10 or later; an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later; an Apple TV with tvOS 11 or later; or a Mac with macOS Sierra or later.


If you still need help, contact Apple Support.


Thanks for reaching out!

-Drake



Oct 14, 2022 7:15 PM in response to Planokh

Planokh Said:

"My AirPod won’t pair with iPhone? It’s not even being recognized?: AirPod is not pairing?"

-------


Troubleshooting AirPods Connectivity:


Start by wiggling it in your ear. No success? Charge these to 100%. If still not success, refer to the following...


Troubleshooting AirPod Connectivity:

A Few Thoughts to Try:

A. Visit Apple Support links:





B. Verify the Balance:

  1. Go to: Settings
  2. Tap: General
  3. Tap: Accessibility
  4. Scroll Down: to Hearing
  5. Adjust: the audio volume balance


C. Also, Clear Out Earwax:

How to Clean your AirPods and EarPods - Apple Support

My AirPod won’t pair with iPhone? It’s not even being recognized?

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.