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How to Reset Your AirPods: A Step-by-Step Guide

Abdullah Mustapha

February 24, 2025

Apple’s AirPods are among the most popular wireless earbuds on the market, offering seamless connectivity, excellent sound quality, and a sleek design. Whether you own the standard AirPods, AirPods Pro, or the over-ear AirPods Max, these devices integrate effortlessly into the Apple ecosystem, making them a favorite for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users alike.

However, like any piece of tech, AirPods are not immune to occasional glitches. You might experience connectivity issues, poor sound quality, or battery drain problems. Alternatively, if you’re selling or giving away your AirPods, resetting them ensures your personal settings and connections are erased.

Thankfully, resetting AirPods is a simple process that takes just a few minutes. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through each step to reset your AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max properly.

Why You Might Need to Reset Your AirPods

There are several reasons why you might need to reset your AirPods:

• Connectivity Issues: Your AirPods aren’t connecting properly to your Apple device or another Bluetooth-enabled gadget.
• Audio Problems: You notice sound distortions, poor audio quality, or one AirPod not working.
• Battery Issues: Your AirPods or the charging case are draining battery faster than usual.
• Selling or Gifting: Before passing them on, a reset ensures they are no longer linked to your Apple ID.
• Pairing with a Different Device: If you want to use your AirPods with a different phone, tablet, or laptop, resetting can help avoid connection problems.

Regardless of the reason, resetting your AirPods can often solve these common issues, restoring them to factory settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting Your AirPods or AirPods Pro

Step 1: Place AirPods in the Charging Case

Before starting the reset process, ensure your AirPods are in their charging case:

Step 2: Unpair Your AirPods from Your Apple Device

To fully reset your AirPods, you must first unpair them from your Apple device:

For iPhones and iPads (iOS 16 or later)

For iPhones Running Older iOS Versions

Note: If your AirPods are experiencing minor sound issues, you can try manually reconnecting them at this stage instead of proceeding with a full reset.

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Step 3: Reset the AirPods Using the Setup Button

• Keep the charging case lid open throughout this process.
• Locate the indicator light, usually found on the front of the case (inside for first-generation models).
• Find the Setup button on the back of the charging case. It’s a small, circular button near the bottom.
• Press and hold the Setup button for about 15 seconds until the indicator light:
  • Starts pulsing white
  • Flashes amber
  • Returns to white
• Once the light changes, release the button. Your AirPods are now reset to factory settings.

Step 4: Reconnect Your AirPods

Now that your AirPods have been reset, you need to pair them with your device again:

For AirPods Pro users, you might need to go through an ear fit test and gesture customization.

Using AirPods with Non-Apple Devices

If you’re pairing AirPods with an Android phone or other Bluetooth device, follow these steps:

How to Reset AirPods Max

Unlike the standard AirPods and AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max reset process is slightly different:

Step 1: Ensure a Partial Charge

Before resetting, charge your AirPods Max for at least a minute.

Step 2: Locate the Necessary Buttons

Find the Digital Crown and the Noise Control button, both located on the same earcup.

Step 3: Perform the Reset

• Press and hold the Digital Crown and Noise Control button simultaneously.
• Continue holding for about 15 seconds, until the status light:
  • Flashes amber
  • Then flashes white
• Once the light turns white, release the buttons—your AirPods Max have been reset.

Final Thoughts

Resetting your AirPods is a quick and easy way to fix common issues and ensure a fresh start when switching devices or preparing for resale. Whether you’re troubleshooting sound problems, connectivity glitches, or simply passing them on to a new owner, following these steps will restore them to factory settings in minutes.

If issues persist even after resetting, check for firmware updates, ensure your device’s Bluetooth is functioning correctly, or contact Apple Support for further assistance.

By following this guide, you can keep your AirPods performing at their best and enjoy seamless wireless audio experiences.

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

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Digitaltrends