How to Properly Reset Your AirPods and AirPods Pro in Under 5 Minutes

Say goodbye to charging and connection issues with this comprehensive guide to resetting your AirPods.

Apple recommends using the AirPods’ reset feature to fix charging, connection, and other issues.

However, resetting AirPods can be confusing for users unfamiliar with the technology. This is especially true if you have second-hand AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro 2, which require an additional step before resetting them.

Luckily, resetting your AirPods can be done with the press of a button. You can also reset newer AirPods models if you know the Apple ID they’re linked to. Read on to learn why resetting your AirPods is necessary, how to do an AirPods Pro reset, and how to reset used AirPods.

How to Reset Your AirPods or AirPods Pro

Apple has designed the AirPods to be intuitive and convenient to use. That’s why resetting your AirPods 1, 2, and 3, or your AirPods Pro 1 and 2, shouldn’t be difficult. Simply follow these steps for a fuss-free reset.

1. Restart your AirPods by placing them inside the charging case and closing the lid for at least 30 seconds.

   

2. On your iOS device, go to Settings and select Bluetooth.

   

3. Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods and select Forget This Device.

   

   Doing this will disconnect your AirPods from all devices where you’ve signed in with the same Apple ID.

   

4. Open the charging case’s lid and hold the setup button at the back of the case until the status light changes from amber to white.
   Check out this article if you’re unsure where to find the status light for your AirPods model.
5. With the lid still open, place the AirPods close to any of your Apple devices to reconnect and initiate the setup process.

How to Factory Reset Your AirPods Without a Phone

Don’t have your phone with you? Not an issue. It’s easy to reset your AirPods without unpairing them from your phone.

Here’s how you can factory reset and disconnect AirPods from all devices without using your phone:

1. Place both AirPods into the charging case. Open the lid.

   

2. Locate the Setup button on the back of your AirPods case.

   

3. Press and hold the Setup button for 15 seconds. The status light should change from flashing amber to white.

   

4. Close the lid. Your AirPods are fully reset.

What to Do When AirPods Won’t Reset

If your AirPods still fail to reset after trying all the steps outlined above, there might be something else going on. In that case, here are a few more solutions you can try:

Clean your AirPods and case

Dirt and debris can get stuck on your AirPods’ stem or within your case, hindering your AirPods from achieving full contact with the charging plate. When this happens, your charging case may become unable to recognize your AirPods, thus preventing you from performing a proper reset.

To clean your AirPods and case, you can simply wipe them with a lint-free cloth or paper towel and Q-tips damp with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Focus on the AirPods’ tail and the inside of the charging case.

If you encounter trouble with hard-to-remove dirt, you can also use a toothpick for added precision. Just make sure to be extra careful when using pointy toothpicks to prevent scratching your AirPods and case. Also, only use your AirPods and case when they’re already completely dry.

Contact Apple Support

If none of these methods get your AirPods to reset successfully, it could be a hardware problem.

For this, the best thing you can do is to contact Apple support for assistance. Before you do, ensure you have the serial number of your AirPods ready for verification purposes.

You could also head down to the nearest Apple Store and let their Apple-certified technicians check if they qualify for a replacement and if they still have warranty coverage.

FAQs on Resetting AirPods

• Can you reset second-hand AirPods?
• Can you reset stolen AirPods?
• Can AirPods be tracked after resetting them?
• What does resetting AirPods do?

Can you reset second-hand AirPods?

Yes, it’s possible to reset second-hand AirPods. However, there’s a catch: AirPods can only be associated with one Apple device at a time. Although AirPods can connect to devices using different Apple IDs, features such as Find My AirPods will only be accessible to the AirPods’ primary user.

This means that, for you to use second-hand AirPods fully, they must be fully reset and unlinked to the original owner’s Apple ID first.

Additionally, the original owner’s Apple ID must already be disconnected from the AirPods so that you can access “Forget This Device” from the Find My app prior to resetting.

If the original owner’s Apple ID is still linked to the AirPods, your best bet is to reach out to them and ask them to disconnect their account. Otherwise, you can still reset the AirPods to prevent them from being tracked.

For more information, you can also check these articles discussing how to disconnect AirPods from an Apple ID, or how to remove AirPods from iCloud.

Can you reset stolen AirPods?

Yes, stolen AirPods can still be reset. However, before doing so, you risk being tracked by the original owner or facing other privacy issues—even if you didn’t know the AirPods you bought were stolen.

This is because AirPods linked to an Apple ID will show up in Find My, which can expose your location. Luckily, you can reset stolen AirPods so they can’t be tracked anymore.

Can AirPods be tracked after resetting them?

Resetting AirPods will prevent them from being tracked. However, this won’t disconnect the AirPods from the original owner’s Apple ID, especially for more secure models like the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 1 and 2.

What does resetting AirPods do?

Resetting AirPods is a great way to fix issues with charging or connecting to your device. This functionality restores your AirPods to their original settings when they were brand new, thus eliminating problems that may have come up as you configured your AirPods.

The reset feature can also be used to unlink an Apple ID from the AirPods 1 and 2.

However, if you’re looking for an answer to how to remove the previous owner from AirPods Pro 1 and 2 or AirPods 3, the reset feature won’t be enough. For these models, the original owner must personally remove the AirPods from their Apple account.

Conclusion

As you can see, the AirPods’ reset feature is extremely useful in addressing charging, connection, and other issues.

We hope this article has explained why resetting is essential and how you can do it. Now, you can enjoy using your AirPods without worrying about getting disconnected or being unable to charge them. Plus, if you’re considering buying second-hand AirPods, you now know what to look for to make the best of them.

Did these tips help you with resetting your AirPods? Think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments!