How to Use “Find My” to Find Missing AirPods

To get started, open the “Find My” app on your iPhone or iPad. If it’s the first time you are using the app, it will ask if it can use your location. You can select from one of three options, and either of the first two are critical in finding your lost AirPods or a lost iPhone or iPad in the future. Choose “Allow While Using the App” or “Allow Once” and continue. Activating GPS location services is critical for any lost Apple device to be found. Once you have the location sorted out, with the app open, click on “Devices” at the bottom. With this window open, you will be able to see all of your existing Apple devices. Everything from Macs to iPads to AirPods will be displayed on this screen. You should see one of two options:

  1. Under your AirPods, you will see an identifiable location.
  2. No location found. This message will be available if you did not turn on Find My before your AirPods went missing or if your AirPods are not charged. It could also mean that they are out of range of your iOS device. If this message is received, you will be unable to locate your AirPods.

Locate Lost AirPods

Assuming your AirPods can be located, the next step is to play a sound to help locate them. This is especially helpful if you think they are lost somewhere in the house, workplace, etc.

  1. To play a sound, click on “Devices” and your AirPods from the list of available Apple hardware you own. Click on “Play Sound” and allow the app to connect to the AirPods. When they connect, they will play a chirping sound.
  2. Once the sound begins, you have some options. You can click on either the left or right AirPod if you only need to locate one. Alternatively, you can click on “Stop” when you find the missing AirPod(s).

How to Find Missing AirPods from a Computer

In the event you need to locate your AirPods from a computer, that is no problem. This works just as well on Windows computers as it does on Mac since the solution is browser-based.

  1. Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Open the Find iPhone icon, which is located at the bottom right on the second row.
  2. The Map will then open with a GPS identifier showing where your Apple devices are located. If the dots are green, they are powered on. A gray dot signifies they are out of battery or out of range of the tracker. In the event your AirPods are separated from one another, you will see only one location at a time on the map. In this case, place the AirPod you do have in the case, refresh the map and locate the missing left or right AirPod.
  3. To find missing AirPods, click on “All Devices” at the very top of the screen.
  4. Click on the “Play Sound” button, wait for the chirping noise to begin and locate the missing AirPod. The good news is that Apple makes it incredibly easy to find a missing AirPod. Utilizing the Find My tool is far less of a headache than forking over $89 for a missing AirPod Pro or $69 for a missing AirPod. Find yourself a good case, stick them in a bag or purse and keep them nearby whenever you are out of the house. Now that you have found your lost AirPods, don’t forget to clean your AirPods regularly, since they will be filled with your ear wax after prolonged usage.