If you’re an Apple device user, chances are you own a pair of AirPods. These small yet highly coveted devices are prone to getting misplaced easily. It’s natural to feel a sense of panic when you can’t find your AirPods, considering their cost and the potential risk of theft.
To prevent any stress or loss, it’s crucial to add your AirPods to the Find My iPhone service. This way, you can instantly track their location through the paired Apple device. In this article, we’ll guide you on how to connect your AirPods to Find My iPhone.
How to Add AirPods to Find My iPhone Service?
To add your AirPods to the Find My service, you’ll need to connect them to your iCloud account. Unfortunately, there’s no direct way to connect AirPods to iCloud. The process involves pairing your AirPods with an Apple device first. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to pair AirPods with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch.
Pairing AirPods with Your Apple Device
Pairing your AirPods with your handheld Apple device follows a similar process across all devices. Before you start, make sure both your AirPods and Apple device are in close proximity. Follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod).
- Tap on the Bluetooth option and toggle it on to establish a Bluetooth connection with your AirPods.
- If your AirPods are in their case, bring the case close to your Apple device for pairing.
- You’ll see an animation on your screen indicating that the AirPods aren’t connected. Tap on the Connect option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions until your AirPods are successfully paired with your Apple device.
The same pairing steps apply to AirPods and all Apple devices. When you pair AirPods with an iPhone where you’ve already paired your Apple Watch, the AirPods will automatically connect to your watch as well.
How to Enable Find My iPhone for AirPods?
Once you’ve paired your AirPods with your iPhone, they are automatically added to Find My iPhone. However, you need to turn on the Find My iPhone service on your iPhone for the AirPods to appear under the tracked devices. Here’s how to enable Find My iPhone:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on your Profile name at the top of the screen.
- Select the Find My option and then tap on Find My iPhone.
- Toggle on the Find My iPhone option. Also, make sure to enable Find My Network and Send Last Location options.
How to Enable Find My Network for AirPods?
Enabling Find My Network for AirPods allows you to locate them even when they’re disconnected or powered off. Just like enabling Find My Network for iPhones, follow these steps to turn it on for your AirPods:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on Bluetooth and toggle it on.
- From the list of connected devices, find your AirPods and tap on the small “i” icon next to them.
- Make sure the Find My Network option is turned on.
How to Find Your Lost AirPods via Find My App?
Now that you’ve completed all the necessary steps, it’s time to locate your AirPods using the Find My app. Here’s what you need to do:
- Launch the Find My app on your iPhone.
- Go to the Devices section at the bottom of the app.
- Tap on your AirPods from the list of devices. You’ll see their current location on the map.
- To find your AirPods right away, tap on the Play Sound option. This will make your AirPods play a sound, helping you locate them. You can also choose to mute either the left or right AirPod and locate the lost one specifically.
- If your AirPods aren’t connected to your iPhone, tapping on the Play Sound option will send a notification to your iPhone once they’re connected.
- With Find My Network enabled for your AirPods, you’ll see a Find option alongside the Play Sound option. Tap on Find, and your iPhone will start searching for signals. Once your AirPods are detected, you’ll see either “Near” or “Here” on your screen. “Here” means your AirPods are very close to you.
How to Set Up Left Behind Alerts for AirPods?
Given their small size, it’s easy to leave your AirPods behind. If you’re using an iPhone 12 or a newer model, you can set up separation alerts to receive notifications when you unintentionally leave your AirPods behind. Follow these steps:
- Open the Find My app on your iPhone and tap on the Devices section at the bottom.
- Select your AirPods from the list and tap on the Notify When Left Behind option.
- Toggle on the Notify When Left Behind option.
- Then, tap on “New Location” under “Notify Me, Except At” to specify locations where the feature won’t be active. Finally, tap on Done.
Conclusion
Losing your AirPods is a common occurrence, so it’s essential to be prepared. Connect your AirPods to iCloud by pairing them with an Apple device like an iPhone. Additionally, ensure you activate Find My iPhone for your AirPods. In this article, we’ve explained how to locate your AirPods using the Find My app. Remember, always keep track of your beloved AirPods!
