Airpods max case and charging.

Airpods max wont charge when they are in case. When i take them out its okay. Also a connection problem. I take them out of the case, no light on. Put them back into case and then take them put again and then they connect. I have tried the hard reset and software is latest. Can be the problem be the case?

AirPods Max

Posted on Apr 21, 2026 11:53 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 22, 2026 1:42 AM

Hi Spooonx, the issue with your AirPods Max not charging in the case and the connection problems could be related to a few things. Here are some steps to try:


1. Clean the charging contacts on your AirPods Max. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the metal contacts where the headphones sit in the case. Dust or debris can prevent proper charging.


2. Check the Smart Case. Make sure the case is not damaged or warped. If the case is bent, the AirPods Max may not sit properly in the magnetic position, which affects charging.


3. Try charging without the case first. Plug a Lightning to USB-C cable directly into the AirPods Max to see if they charge normally. This helps confirm whether the headphones themselves are working.


4. Reset the AirPods Max. Hold the noise control button and the Digital Crown together for about 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber, then white. This performs a factory reset.


5. Forget the device from Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad, tap the info icon next to your AirPods Max, and choose Forget This Device. Then re-pair them.


6. Update your iPhone or iPad to the latest iOS version. Sometimes Bluetooth and AirPods issues are resolved with software updates on the paired device.


7. Check the case battery. Leave the AirPods Max in the case plugged in overnight to ensure the case itself has enough charge to power the headphones.


8. If none of these steps help, the case may be faulty. Since the AirPods Max work fine when taken out of the case, it is possible the Smart Case has a charging issue. You can contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to have the case checked under warranty.


Hope this helps you get things working again!

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 22, 2026 1:42 AM in response to Spooonx

Hi Spooonx, the issue with your AirPods Max not charging in the case and the connection problems could be related to a few things. Here are some steps to try:


1. Clean the charging contacts on your AirPods Max. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the metal contacts where the headphones sit in the case. Dust or debris can prevent proper charging.


2. Check the Smart Case. Make sure the case is not damaged or warped. If the case is bent, the AirPods Max may not sit properly in the magnetic position, which affects charging.


3. Try charging without the case first. Plug a Lightning to USB-C cable directly into the AirPods Max to see if they charge normally. This helps confirm whether the headphones themselves are working.


4. Reset the AirPods Max. Hold the noise control button and the Digital Crown together for about 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber, then white. This performs a factory reset.


5. Forget the device from Bluetooth settings. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad, tap the info icon next to your AirPods Max, and choose Forget This Device. Then re-pair them.


6. Update your iPhone or iPad to the latest iOS version. Sometimes Bluetooth and AirPods issues are resolved with software updates on the paired device.


7. Check the case battery. Leave the AirPods Max in the case plugged in overnight to ensure the case itself has enough charge to power the headphones.


8. If none of these steps help, the case may be faulty. Since the AirPods Max work fine when taken out of the case, it is possible the Smart Case has a charging issue. You can contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to have the case checked under warranty.


Hope this helps you get things working again!

Aug 20, 2026 3:00 PM in response to v1v3km

I think you’re conflating AirPods Max and AirPods Pro.


1) AirPods Max do not have “charging contacts” that’s AirPods Pro (plastic case, small ear buds). Max has a lightning cable port and Max 2 have a USB-C port.


7) The AirPods Max Smart Case does not charge. It is meant to put the AirPods Max into an ultra-low discharge state to preserve battery charge. Charging only happens when the AirPods Max are plugged in.


8) See my note ‘7’ above.


I do notice that sometimes (often, but not always) when my AirPods Max 2 are in the Smart Case and I plug them in to charge, the amber LED does not light and they don’t charge. If I pull them out of the case, then plug them in, the amber LED will light and the AirPods Max will charge even if I slip them back in the Smart Case. A restart and a reset have not changed this behavior.

Airpods max case and charging.

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