Losing your AirPods case can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re not sure how to connect your AirPods without it. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can follow to get your AirPods up and running again. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of connecting your AirPods without a case, so you can get back to enjoying your music, podcasts, and other audio content as soon as possible.
To begin, you’ll need to make sure that your AirPods are turned on. To do this, simply open the lid of the charging case. If the AirPods are already in your ears, you can also turn them on by pressing and holding the button on the back of each AirPod for about 5 seconds. Once your AirPods are turned on, they will be in pairing mode and ready to connect to your device.
Next, you’ll need to open the Bluetooth settings on your device. On an iPhone or iPad, you can do this by going to Settings > Bluetooth. On a Mac, you can do this by going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth. Once you’re in the Bluetooth settings, you should see your AirPods listed as a available device. Simply click or tap on the AirPods to connect them to your device. Once your AirPods are connected, you’ll be able to use them to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio content as usual.
Locate the Setup Button
Discovering the setup button on your AirPods without a case might seem like a riddle, but fret not; it’s a straightforward procedure. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process:
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Step 1: Examine the Charging Contacts
Start by flipping the AirPods upside down. You’ll notice two small, circular charging contacts embedded in the base of each earbud.
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Step 2: Locate the Small Hole
Adjacent to the charging contacts, you’ll find a tiny hole on either earbud. This unassuming hole is the enigmatic setup button.
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Step 3: Identify the Proper Earbud
If you own AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, the setup button is located on the bottom of the right earbud only. For AirPods 1 and AirPods 2, it’s found on both earbuds.
Now that you’ve mastered locating the setup button, you’re ready to proceed to the next step in connecting your AirPods without a case.
| Model | Setup Button Location |
|---|---|
| AirPods 1, 2 | Bottom of both earbuds |
| AirPods 3, Pro, Max | Bottom of right earbud only |
Enter Pairing Mode
If you’ve lost or misplaced your Airpods case, you can still enter pairing mode manually. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Inspect the Airpods
Check if the Airpods have a blinking white LED light. If they are, they are in pairing mode. If not, proceed to Step 2.
Step 2: Reset the Airpods
To reset the Airpods and force them into pairing mode, follow these instructions:
- Place both Airpods in the charging case, leaving the lid open.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds, or until the status light flashes amber several times.
- Remove the Airpods from the case and they will be in pairing mode, indicated by a blinking white LED light.
Go to Bluetooth Settings
To connect your AirPods without a case, you’ll need to access your device’s Bluetooth settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Open the Settings app.
Launch the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This app is typically represented by a gear icon.
2. Navigate to Bluetooth.
Within the Settings app, locate the Bluetooth section. On iPhone and iPad, it’s usually under the “Connectivity” heading. On a Mac, it’s under the “Network” section.
3. Put your AirPods in discovery mode.
With the Settings app open on your device and Bluetooth enabled, follow these steps to put your AirPods in discovery mode:
- For AirPods (1st generation): Hold down the button on the back of the case for several seconds until the status light flashes white.
- For AirPods (2nd generation and later): Open the lid of the case and press and hold the button on the back until the status light flashes white.
- For AirPods Pro: Press and hold the noise control button on the bottom of the left earbud until the status light flashes white.
- For AirPods Max: Press and hold the noise control button on the left ear cup until the status light flashes white.
| AirPods Model | Discovery Mode |
|---|---|
| AirPods (1st generation) | Hold button on case for several seconds until light flashes white |
| AirPods (2nd generation and later) | Open lid and press and hold button on back until light flashes white |
| AirPods Pro | Press and hold noise control button on left earbud until light flashes white |
| AirPods Max | Press and hold noise control button on left ear cup until light flashes white |
Select AirPods
If you have multiple pairs of AirPods, make sure to select the correct pair. To do this, open the Bluetooth settings menu on your device. Under “My Devices”, you should see a list of all the Bluetooth devices that are currently paired with your device. Tap on the name of the AirPods that you want to connect to.
Connect AirPods Without Case
- Open the AirPods case. The AirPods should automatically turn on and enter pairing mode.
- Hold the AirPods close to your device. The AirPods should appear in the Bluetooth settings menu on your device.
- If your AirPods still don’t connect, reset them back to original settings. To do this, place both AirPods in the charging case and open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. The status light on the case will flash white, indicating that the AirPods have been reset.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process. Once the AirPods are paired, they will automatically connect to your device whenever they are turned on and in range.
Tips
- If you are having trouble connecting your AirPods, try restarting your device.
- Make sure that your AirPods are charged. If the AirPods are low on battery, they may not be able to connect to your device.
- If you are still having trouble connecting your AirPods, contact Apple support.
Connect
To connect your AirPods without the case, follow these steps:
1. Open the Bluetooth Settings on your device.
This can be done by going to the Settings app and selecting “Bluetooth”.
2. Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on.
The Bluetooth icon should be blue if it is turned on.
3. Put the AirPods in your ears.
The AirPods will automatically start pairing with your device.
4. Tap on the “Connect” button.
The “Connect” button will appear on your device’s screen when the AirPods are ready to connect.
5. Follow the instructions on your device’s screen.
You may be prompted to enter a passcode or to confirm the pairing. Once the pairing is complete, the AirPods will be connected to your device.
| Device | Passcode |
|---|---|
| iPhone | 1234 |
| iPad | 1234 |
| Mac | 0000 |
| Android | 0000 |
Use as Stereo Headphones
You can use your AirPods as stereo headphones to listen to music or make phone calls without using the charging case. With the updated H1 or W1 chip, you can connect directly to your audio source, so you can enjoy a seamless wireless experience without the bulk of the charging case.
1. Make Sure Your AirPods Are Turned On
To turn on your AirPods, press and hold the setup button on the back of the charging case until the LED light flashes white.
2. Connect to your device
Open the Bluetooth settings on your device. If you have used your AirPods with the device in the past, they may automatically reconnect. Select “AirPods” from the list of available devices.
3. Play Audio from your device
Once connected, you can play audio from your device as you would normally. The AirPods will start playing automatically.
4. Control Audio
You can use the built-in microphone on the AirPods to control audio playback. Simply tap or double-tap on the outside of either AirPod to play, pause, skip tracks, or answer calls.
5. Switch Between Stereo and Mono Mode
If you only want to use one AirPod, simply remove the other AirPod from your ear. The remaining AirPod will automatically switch to mono mode.
6. Charge Your AirPods
To charge your AirPods, place them back in the charging case and close the lid. The LED light on the front of the case will turn green indicating that the AirPods are charging. You can use the table below to check the battery levels of your AirPods and charging case.
| AirPod battery level | Charging case battery level |
|---|---|
| < 10% | < 20% |
| 10-90% | 20-90% |
| > 90% | > 90% |
Note: The battery levels are approximate and may vary depending on usage.
Disable Automatic Detection
To disable automatic detection, you will need to follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on “Bluetooth”.
- Find your AirPods in the list of devices and tap on the “i” icon next to them.
- Toggle the “Automatic Ear Detection” switch to the “Off” position.
Once you have completed these steps, your AirPods will no longer automatically detect when they are in your ears and will only connect when you manually turn them on.
Here is a table summarizing the steps to disable automatic detection:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Settings app. |
| 2 | Tap on “Bluetooth”. |
| 3 | Find your AirPods in the list of devices and tap on the “i” icon. |
| 4 | Toggle the “Automatic Ear Detection” switch to the “Off” position. |
Use a Third-Party App
If you want to connect your AirPods without the case, you can also use a third-party app. Several apps are available on the App Store that allow you to connect to your AirPods directly without the case.
Here are the steps on how to connect AirPods without a case using a third-party app:
1. Download a Third-Party App
There are several third-party apps available on the App Store that allow you to connect to your AirPods without a case. Some popular options include AirBuddy, AirPods Pro, and Find My AirPods.
2. Open the App
Once you have downloaded and installed the app, open it on your iPhone or iPad.
3. Select Your AirPods
The app will automatically scan for your AirPods. Once they are found, select them from the list.
4. Choose the AirPods Mode
Some apps allow you to choose between different connection modes for your AirPods. For example, some apps let you choose between a “Classic” mode that connects your AirPods to your iPhone using Bluetooth and a “Pro” mode that uses a low-energy connection.
5. Connect
Once you have chosen the desired connection mode, select the “Connect” button. The app will now connect to your AirPods.
6. Test the Connection
Once the app has connected to your AirPods, you can test the connection by playing music or making a phone call.
7. Adjust the Settings
Some apps allow you to customize the settings for your AirPods. For example, you can adjust the volume, change the equalizer, and set custom gestures.
8. Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble connecting to your AirPods using a third-party app, there are a few things you can try:
| Make sure that your AirPods are turned on and in range. | |
| Restart your iPhone or iPad. | |
| Reset your AirPods by placing them in the charging case and then pressing and holding the setup button for 15 seconds. | |
| Update the firmware on your AirPods by connecting them to your iPhone or iPad and then going to Settings > Bluetooth > Tap on the “i” next to your AirPods > Select “Firmware Update”. | |
| If you are still having trouble, you can contact the app developer for support. |
Reset AirPods
If you’re having trouble connecting your AirPods without the case, you may need to reset them. Here are the steps on how to do a simple and advanced Airpods reset:
- Put both AirPods in the charging case and close the lid.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Open the lid of the charging case and hold the setup button on the back for 15 seconds, or until the status light flashes amber and then white.
- Your AirPods are now reset.
- Put both AirPods in the charging case and close the lid.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Open the lid of the charging case.
- Press and hold both the setup button and the volume down button on the left AirPod for 10 seconds, or until the status light flashes amber and then white.
- Your AirPods are now reset.
Simple Reset:
Advanced Reset:
After resetting your AirPods, you can reconnect them to your device by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Tap the name of your AirPods.
- Your AirPods will now be connected.
Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and you’re still unable to connect your AirPods without the case, you can contact Apple Support.
Here are the steps on how to contact Apple Support:
- Visit the Apple Support website at https://support.apple.com.
- Click the “Contact Apple Support” button.
- Select the “AirPods” product.
- Select the “Connection issues” issue.
- Click the “Chat” button to start a chat session with an Apple Support representative.
You can also contact Apple Support by phone at 1-800-275-2273.
How to Connect AirPods Without Case
If you’ve lost or misplaced your AirPods case, you can still connect them to your iPhone or other Bluetooth device. Here’s how:
1. Open the Bluetooth settings on your device.
2. Tap on the name of your AirPods in the list of available devices.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.
Once your AirPods are paired, you’ll be able to use them to listen to music, make calls, and more.
People Also Ask
How do I connect my AirPods to my iPhone without a case?
Follow the steps outlined in the main section of this article.
Can I connect my AirPods to my Android phone without a case?
Yes, you can. The process is similar to connecting to an iPhone.
How do I reset my AirPods without a case?
To reset your AirPods without a case, follow these steps:
1. Put both AirPods in the charging case.
2. Close the lid of the case and wait 15 seconds.
3. Open the lid of the case and hold down the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds.
4. The status light on the case will flash white, then amber.
5. Release the setup button.
6. Your AirPods are now reset.
