By ShowMeStepByStepPublished Updated
Based on a video by Apple Support.
If your AirPods stopped pairing, sound funny, or you're handing them down to someone else, a factory reset is the cleanest fix. The process unpairs them from your Apple ID, wipes the settings, and gets them ready to set up fresh.
This walkthrough from Apple Support covers all three current AirPods models. The steps are mostly identical - the only difference is the specific button or buttons you hold to trigger the reset. Once they're reset, follow our guide to pairing AirPods to set them up with a new device, and our screenshot guide if you're documenting the process.
AirPods Pro reset the same way as the standard model. With both earbuds in the case and the lid open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds. The status light flashes amber, then white. That white flash confirms the Pros are wiped and ready to pair again.
A reset clears up most of the problems people run into:
If a reset does not fix a connection issue, the problem may be on the phone side. Our guide to clearing your iPhone cache walks through the next things to try.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap your name at the top of the screen and scroll down until you see your AirPods listed.
If they don't show up there, go to Bluetooth instead - they'll appear in the list of paired devices. Tap your AirPods to open their detail screen.
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the AirPods settings screen. Tap Forget This Device (or, in Bluetooth, tap the small info button next to your AirPods first, then Forget Device).
A confirmation popup appears warning that the AirPods will be removed from all your iCloud-connected devices. Tap Forget Device a second time to confirm.
Tip
The double-confirm is intentional - your AirPods are tied to your Apple ID, so unpairing removes them from your iPhone, iPad, and Mac in one go.
Place your AirPods in their charging case and shut the lid. Wait a few seconds, then open the lid back up.
If a Connect card pops up on your iPhone offering to re-pair, tap the close button (X) in the top corner to dismiss it. You don't want to re-pair yet - the reset hasn't happened.
Look at the back of the case for a small round button - that's the setup button. With the lid still open, press and hold it for about 15 seconds.
For older AirPods cases without a setup button, use the alternate method instead: while the status light is on, double-tap the front of the case three times in a row, watching the light pattern change with each tap.
While you're holding the button, the status light flashes amber for a few seconds. Keep holding. Then it switches to flashing white.
Once you see the white flash, the reset is complete. Release the button. Your AirPods are now factory-fresh and ready to pair with any device the same way they did out of the box.
AirPods Max don't have a case button to reset, so the steps are different. After unpairing in Settings (same as Step 1 and 2), take the headphones out of their Smart Case if they're stored.
Press and hold the noise control button and the digital crown on the right earphone at the same time. Hold for about 15 seconds. The LED near the bottom of the right earphone flashes amber, then white. Release - they're reset.
Tip
Charge your AirPods Max for a few minutes before resetting if the battery is low. A flat battery can prevent the reset sequence from completing.
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Quick reference
5 questions, answers, and one-line explanations. Tap to expand.
1.First step in the reset?
Answer: Forget device in Settings
Open Settings, tap your name, find AirPods, then Forget Device. The double-confirm removes them from all your iCloud devices.
2.How long do you hold the case button?
Answer: About 15 seconds
Hold the small round setup button on the back for ~15 seconds with the lid open until the light flashes amber then white.
3.Light pattern that confirms reset?
Answer: Amber then white
Amber flash first, then it switches to flashing white. White flash = reset complete, release the button.
4.Older case without a setup button. Alternate?
Answer: Triple-tap case front
With status light on, double-tap the front of the case three times. Watch the light pattern change with each tap.
5.AirPods Max reset requires...
Answer: Noise control + crown
Hold noise control button + digital crown together for ~15 seconds. LED flashes amber, then white. No case button on Max.
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