Apple AirPods are one of the most popular wireless earbuds on the market, offering excellent integration with the company's ecosystem and great sound quality. However, like any technological device, they can fail or simply need to be unpaired and reset for various reasons, such as selling them or troubleshooting connectivity issues.
Here you will find a complete guide on How to unpair, restart, and reset your AirPods or AirPods Pro, with detailed steps for each model and clear explanations of when it is convenient to perform each process.
When you need to restart or reset your AirPods
You may be wondering when you need to restart or reset your AirPods. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Connection issues: If your AirPods aren't connecting properly to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Audio glitches: Distorted sound, low volume, or unexpected audio dropouts.
- Battery issues: If the charge does not last as expected or there are problems charging them.
- Selling or giving away AirPods: To remove the link from your Apple account before transferring them to someone else.
How to unpair AirPods from your iPhone or iPad
Before completely resetting your AirPods, it's a good idea to unpair them from your device to ensure they're no longer linked to your Apple account. Follow these steps:
- Open the app Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Go to Bluetooth and find your AirPods in the device list.
- Tap the information button (i) next to the name of your AirPods.
- Choose Skip device and confirm the action.
If you want to know more about the unlinking process, you can consult the guide at Reset and factory reset your Apple AirPods.
How to reset AirPods to fix minor issues
If you experience minor issues with your AirPods, a quick restart may fix them without a full reset.
- Place your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
- Wait a few 30 seconds.
- Open the lid of the charging case and check if the AirPods are working properly.
If the problems persist, a hard reset may be necessary. For more information on what to do if an AirPods stop working, we recommend this article: What to do if an AirPod stops working.
How to factory reset AirPods
Restoring your AirPods to factory settings is the most effective way to resolve persistent issues or completely unlink them from your Apple account before selling them. Follow these steps:
- Place your AirPods inside the charging case and close the lid.
- Waiting 30 seconds.
- Open the lid of the charging case.
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings> Bluetooth, tap the information button (i) next to your AirPods and select Skip device.
- Press and hold the back button of the charging case for 15 seconds until the LED light flashes amber and then white.
- Open the lid of the case and bring your AirPods close to your iPhone or iPad to set them up again.
It's important to make sure your AirPods are fully charged before resetting. For tips on how to properly charge your AirPods, visit: How to charge your AirPods correctly.
How to reset AirPods Max
The procedure for resetting AirPods Max is slightly different due to their design without a charging case. To reset them:
- Charge them for a few minutes to make sure they have enough battery.
- Hold down the noise control button and digital Crown until the LED light flashes amber.
If problems persist and you need to perform a factory reset, follow these steps:
- Hold down the noise control button and digital Crown during 15 seconds, until the LED light flashes amber and then white.
- Re-pair your AirPods Max with your Apple device.
After performing these processes, the AirPods should be working correctly, but don't forget that mkeep them updated and properly configured helps avoid problems in the future, and if you have any questions, remember that you can always contact Apple Support for additional help.
You can also read about how AirPods Pro are water resistant in this article: AirPods Pro are water resistant..
