Do you know what happens when you lose your AirPod charging case? The device becomes completely useless without the case as it’s the only option to keep your AirPods charged and active. I don’t know about you, but I have lost my AirPods and the AirPods case several times.
Luckily, I had a few tricks under my sleeves to find them out pretty quickly. But how to find an AirPod case if it’s stolen or completely lost in an unknown location? The easiest way to find your protective case is to use the Find My AirPods feature. With this feature, you’ll be able to easily play a sound to locate the case, or you can track it down using Find My’s map.
To help you find your AirPods case, here we will discuss all the tips and tricks for regaining your lost AirPods case. So without further ado, let’s get started.
The Possibility of Recovering Lost AirPods and AirPods Case
Yes, you can get back your missing AirPods and charging case only if the AirPods remain connected to the case. You have to use the Find My iPhone app for this purpose. Here’s a quick overview of the several methods of finding your lost items:
- Use your iPhone or iPad to launch the Find My application. Check out the Find My map to find out the last location of your missing AirPods and lost AirPods case.
- Sign in to your iCloud account using any trusted web browser and locate your missing device. You can use the play a sound feature to quickly locate the device.
- Visit the iCloud website and sign in by using your Apple id. Now, tap on the Find app. Then you’ll see the ‘All devices’ menu. Choose your AirPods to see its last location.
Can the Find My App Help to Find Missing AirPods and AirPods Case?
Losing your AirPods is extremely frustrating as you need to spend a generous amount of money to get new ones. So, there has to be some way to find AirPods and AirPods charging cases when they’re lost.
That’s why Apple incorporated the Find My application on iOS 13+ and iPadOS to help you find your AirPods and charging case. You can also use iCloud’s Find My Service for this job. In case you use an iOS version like iOS 12 or below, you’ll use the same Find My application, but the process will be slightly different.
In case you’re wondering how to turn on the Find My feature for your AirPods, then let us ease up your concerns. If you have already set up the Find My feature with your iPhone or iPad and used them with your AirPods, the Find My feature will be set automatically for your AirPods!
So, when you lose your AirPods along with the charging case, you can use any iOS device signed in using the same Apple ID and use the Find My application to locate them. Keep in mind that the AirPods have to be connected via Bluetooth and within 10 meters range for this.
If your AirPods are outside the Bluetooth range or out of charge, the app will help you to track the last location of the device. However, the Find My feature has its limitations, and it won’t find your battery case when the AirPods aren’t inside.
Methods of Finding Lost AirPods and AirPods Case
All the methods of finding out missing AirPods and AirPods cases are very simple and take only a few minutes. Even if you don’t have your iPhone for some reason, you can use any other Apple device to locate your lost items.
Below we have listed all the methods of finding your AirPods and AirPods charging case. If one method doesn’t work for you, go for the next one without any concern.
Method One – Find Your Lost AirPods Case Using Its Last Location
Since there is no built-in Wi-Fi connectivity in your AirPods or AirPods case, the device uses Bluetooth connectivity to engage with your Apple device.
For this method, your missing AirPods have to be connected via Bluetooth and remain inside the charging case. Here, we will use the Find My application to get a general location where your AirPod and AirPod cases might be. Below are the steps for using the Find My app to locate your missing AirPod case:
Step 1: Launch the Find My Application
From your iPhone home screen, go to the Find My iPhone application. In case you fail to find it from the apps, check out all the folders on your iPhone’s home screen. If you’re using the latest iOS versions, the app might be in your Apple library.
You can swipe to the side of the screen to find the library and then use the search bar to locate the Find My app quickly. Instead of your iPhone, you can use other iOS devices like iPod Touch and iPad.
Step 2: Sign in Using Your Apple ID
If you’re asked to sign in, provide your Apple ID and password. Then, tap on the ‘Devices’ tab at the bottom of your screen. Swipe up to get the names of your AirPods and all the paired devices that have been signed in using your Apple ID.
Step 3: Locate Your AirPods
Now tap on the name of your AirPods or AirPods Pro, and a map will open indicating the current location of your device. In case your AirPods are out of charge or outside the range of Bluetooth connectivity, the Find My map will tell you the last AirPod location.
Step 4: Use ‘Play Sound’
Below the map, you’ll find two options: Directions and Play Sound. If your AirPods and AirPods case are located nearby, it’s better to choose the ‘Play Sound’ option. Tap on it, and your AirPods will play music if they’re online.
You can raise the volume if you want to follow the sound. Otherwise, the music will grow louder automatically for two minutes so that you can easily locate them.
You can also choose the ‘Left’ or ‘Right’ option in case you lost only one AirPod. Tap on the option ‘Stop’ once you find your lost item.
If your AirPods are offline, this will be saved as a pending command. So, your AirPods will play sound as soon as they get back online.
Step 5: Get Directions
When the Bluetooth connection is lost, your AirPods fail to play a sound. In that case, choose the ‘Directions’ option to open the Apple Maps application.
There you’ll get proper directions to the last location of your AirPods and AirPods case.
Keep in mind that you won’t be able to access Find My AirPods or Find My app if you own a Managed Apple ID organized by an institution or school.
Method Two – Using the Older Version of Find My App to Find Lost Airpods and Case
If you’re using an older version of the Find My app, the process of finding your lost AirPod and charging case will be a bit different. However, just like the previous one, this method will also work only when your AirPods are inside the AirPod case and connected via Bluetooth.
Here’s how to find your lost AirPods and AirPods case using the Find My iPhone app –
Step 1: Launch the Find My iPhone App
Locate the Find My iPhone app using your iPhone. Any other iOS device can also be used for this task. Launch the app and check out the list of paired devices. Do you see your AirPod’s name on the list? Tap on it to open the Find My Map.
Step 2: Check for Availability
On the map, you’ll be able to see the current or last known location of your AirPod. If your AirPods case is active and in a nearby location, you’ll see a green dot.
On the other hand, a grey dot indicates that your device is outside the Bluetooth range, inactive, or out of battery. Lastly, the blue dot represents the device you are currently using to track your AirPods case.
Step 3: Take Actions Accordingly
On the bottom of your screen, you’ll see the option ‘Action.’ Tap on it, and two new options will arrive. For the green light, select the option ‘Play Sound’ to play music on your AirPods.
If you want to track only one AirPod at a time, then choose ‘Mute Right’ or ‘Mute Left.’ Follow the music to get to your AirPod and AirPod case.
In case you see a grey status light, you need to tap on the car icon from the top right corner of your iPhone screen. It will show you the directions to the last AirPods location. When your AirPods come back online, you’ll get a notification immediately.
Method Three – Find Your AirPods Case Using iCloud’s Website
So, you lost your AirPods case, and you don’t have your iPhone anywhere near you. What to do in such situations? Thankfully, you have the option to use the iCloud website and sign in to your Apple ID to find out the last location of your AirPods Case.
In this method, you can use your Apple devices as well as any other phone or computer. Below are the steps to find your missing AirPods cases using the iCloud website –
Step 1: Go to the iCloud Website
Use a trusted browser to open the official iCloud website. Now sign in with your Apple ID. You have to use the same Apple ID that is paired with your missing AirPods.
Step 2: Use Find My iPhone
Once you have signed in, find out the ‘Find My iPhone’ option and tap on it. You might have to type your Apple ID and its password for authentication. Provide all the necessary information and proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Locate Your AirPods Case
Now choose the ‘All devices’ option. A drop-down list will appear with the names of recently paired devices. Select your AirPod’s name. You’ll see a green dot if your AirPods are online or a grey dot for the opposite case.
Use ‘Play Sound’ to find out the lost device from a nearby location. Or select ‘Directions’ to get its last known location.
What To Do If Only One Airpod Is Lost
All our previous methods will work when both of your AirPods are inside the charging case. But what happens if you have only one AirPod inside the case and the other one is missing?
If the missing AirPod is within the Bluetooth connectivity range, you’ll be able to find it using the Find My AirPod feature. In that case, you’ll see only one location of the lost AirPod on the Find My map. To find out the missing AirPod, you need to launch the Find My app on your iPhone and track its location on the map.
After that, use the given directions to reach your lost AirPod or play a sound to easily find it. You can also select the right or left AirPod only for playing the sound in case you know which one is missing.
Can You Find the Lost AirPods Case Only?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to find your AirPods case only. We have discussed how to regain your missing AirPods case when it’s near your AirPods. Since the charging case doesn’t have any built-in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, the Find My app won’t be able to track its location.
Moreover, the AirPod charging case doesn’t feature any speaker. So, it can’t play any sound either. If you lose your charging case, getting a replacement case is your only option.
Limitations of the Find My App
If you want to find your lost AirPod Case using the Find My App, you have to consider its limitations. Firstly, you can’t use the Find My AirPods feature if you don’t use the same iCloud account that is paired with your lost device.
Also, if your AirPods are inside the case and the AirPods case cover is completely sealed, the app won’t be able to track its location or play a sound. Lastly, it will not help you if the batteries of your AirPods are out of charge.
What if your AirPods and AirPods Case Are Stolen?
If someone steals your AirPods or AirPods Case, things get out of your hand. Unfortunately, that other person can easily reset all the data and pair your AirPods with their own Apple device. This will happen even when the Find My app is enabled on your iPhone.
There is no iCloud lock or lost mode available for your AirPods. So, when a person resets the data and pairs your AirPods with their device, the AirPods will be listed in the Find My app of that person’s iPhone.
Hence, your AirPods will be automatically disconnected from your Apple ID, and the other person is now the new owner of your device. You won’t be able to track your AirPods or play a sound anymore.
Replacing Your AirPods and Charging Case
When your AirPods are completely lost, and none of the methods worked for you, the only way is to purchase new AirPods. For both your AirPods and charging case, Apple has a replacement program. Like every other Apple product, your AirPods also come with a warranty.
But don’t get your hopes too high as the warranty only covers service charges and defective batteries. So, if your AirPods or Airpod charging case is lost or stolen, you can’t get a new one using the 1-year warranty. Instead, you have to pay to get a replacement case or new AirPods.
AirPod Case Replacement
The case replacement price will vary depending on where you live. Currently, the range is fixed at 59$ to 99$ for the AirPod or charging case. So, a better option is to purchase a new set instead of just buying parts.
You can call the Apple store available near your location and ask them about the replacement offers. Otherwise, contact Apple online and request a replacement.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Losing your AirPod Case
It can be hard to keep an AirPod case from getting lost, especially if you are always on the go and tend to lose small things. But if you take a few simple precautions, you can make sure you do not lose your AirPods case and that it is always within reach.
Cultivate mindfulness and awareness: This is the first and most important thing you can do to keep from losing your AirPod case. This means that you should always be aware of where your AirPods case is and pay close attention to where you put it. If you tend to forget things or not pay attention to what is going on around you, it might help to set reminders or make it a habit to look for your AirPod case before leaving a place. Also, it can be helpful to keep your AirPod case in the same place every time you take them out of your ears, so you always know where to look for them.
Keep the case in a secure location during activities: Another good way to avoid losing your AirPod case is to keep it in a safe place while you are doing other things. For example, if you are working out or playing sports, you might want to keep your AirPod case in a pouch or pocket where it will not fall out or get lost. Also, if you are traveling or taking public transportation, you might want to keep your AirPod case in a safe place in your bag or purse so that you do not leave it behind by accident.
Use a lanyard or wrist strap: Using a lanyard or wrist strap is a third good way to keep from losing your AirPod case. With these add-ons, you can attach your AirPod case to your body or clothes so it is always within reach and less likely to get lost. There are many different kinds of lanyards and wrist straps on the market, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and style.
Final Words
So there you have it all. Now you know how to find AirPod case when it’s lost. Be sure to remember your Apple ID and password that has been paired with your AirPods. It will help you to use the Find My AirPods feature and locate your lost device. Playing a sound is the best way to find your AirPods that are lost in a nearby location. Otherwise, you can use the Find My map to track the last known location of your AirPods.
People Also Asked
One of the most common questions we receive from our readers is how to find the case of their AirPods. Here are some of the most common questions about AirPods cases that can help you how to find it.
How can I retrace my steps to increase the chances of finding my AirPods case?
You can try the following steps to improve your chances of finding your AirPods case:
Follow your steps back:
- Think about the last place you remember having the case and go back there. Look around and ask anyone who might have seen it what they know.
- If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can use the “Find My” app to find your missing AirPods. This app will show you where your AirPods were last seen on a map.
- Ask for help: If you still can not find your AirPods case, ask friends, family, or coworkers if they have seen it.
Can I still use my AirPods if I can’t find the case, and what are the limitations?
If you can not find the case for your AirPods, you can still use them, but they will not work as well. You will not be able to charge your AirPods without the case, so you will have to use them until the battery dies. Also, until you find the case or buy a new one, you will not be able to connect your AirPods to new devices.
Can I purchase a replacement case if I am unable to find my original AirPods case?
Yes, you can buy a new case if you can not find the one that came with your AirPods. Apple has replacement cases for sale on its website and in its stores. There are also options from third parties that you can buy online. Just make sure to buy a case that works with your model of AirPods.
