Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, EliSchochet.
If I understand your post correctly, your AirPods are flashing white and red. I'd like to help.
Try these steps:
If you don't see the setup animation when you try to set up your AirPods with your iPhone, follow these steps. After each step, try to set up your AirPods again.
- Make sure that your AirPods are charged.
- Close the lid, wait 15 seconds, then open the lid. The status light should flash white.
- If the status light doesn't flash white, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until you see the status light flash white.
- Still can't set up your AirPods? Press and hold the setup button for at least 15 seconds, until you see the status light flash amber a few times and then flash white.
See the full article here: Use your AirPods
Let us know if that resolves this issue for you.
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Take care.