How to Add AirPods to Find My: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updating your iPhone, iPad, or Mac for compatibility with Find My and AirPods

Before you can use Find My to locate your AirPods, you’ll need to make sure that your iPhone, iPad, or Mac is compatible with the feature. Find My requires iOS 13.2 or later, iPadOS 13.2 or later, or macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or later. If your device is running an older version of the operating system, you’ll need to update it.

To update your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install. Your device will need to restart during the update process, so make sure you have enough battery life and a stable Wi-Fi connection.

To update your Mac, go to System Preferences > Software Update. If an update is available, click Upgrade Now. Your Mac will need to restart during the update process, so make sure you save any open files before proceeding.

Once your device is running the compatible version of iOS, iPadOS, or macOS, you’ll be ready to connect your AirPods to Find My.

Connecting your AirPods to your iCloud account

To use Find My with your AirPods, you’ll need to connect them to your iCloud account. Here’s how to do it:

1. Make sure your AirPods are connected to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
2. Go to Settings on your device.
3. Tap on your name at the top of the screen.
4. Tap iCloud.
5. Scroll down to Find My and make sure it’s turned on.
6. If it’s not already on, turn on the switch next to Find My.
7. Wait a few minutes for your AirPods to be added to your iCloud account.

Once your AirPods are connected to your iCloud account, you’ll be able to use Find My to locate them if they go missing.

Enabling Find My on your AirPods

After connecting your AirPods to your iCloud account, you’ll need to enable the Find My feature on each individual AirPod. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
2. Tap on the name of your AirPods under My Devices.
3. Turn on the switch next to Find My [AirPods].

Note that Find My may not be available on your AirPods if they were set up using an Android device or if they’re first-generation AirPods. In this case, you’ll need to upgrade to a newer model of AirPods to use the Find My feature.

Once you’ve enabled Find My on your AirPods, you’ll be able to locate them using the Find My app or the iCloud website if they go missing.

Using Find My to locate your AirPods and protect against loss or theft

Once you’ve connected your AirPods to your iCloud account and enabled the Find My feature, you’ll be able to use it to locate your AirPods if they go missing. Here’s how to use Find My to locate your AirPods:

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
2. Tap on the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select your AirPods from the list of devices.
4. If your AirPods are within Bluetooth range of any of your Apple devices, you’ll see their location on the map.
5. If your AirPods are out of Bluetooth range, you’ll see their last known location.

If you believe your AirPods have been stolen, you can put them in Lost Mode to protect your data and try to recover them. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
2. Tap on the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select your AirPods from the list of devices.
4. Tap on Lost Mode.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter a phone number where you can be reached.
6. If your AirPods are found, the person who finds them can use your phone number to contact you.

Using Find My can help you locate your lost AirPods or protect against theft, but it’s important to note that the feature requires your AirPods to be within Bluetooth range of one of your Apple devices. If your AirPods are out of range and have been lost or stolen, you may need to contact Apple Support for assistance.

Tips for locating your AirPods with Find My

If you’re having trouble locating your AirPods with Find My, here are a few tips that may help:

1. Play a sound: If your AirPods are within Bluetooth range of one of your Apple devices, you can play a sound to help you locate them. Tap on your AirPods in the Find My app and then tap Play Sound. Your AirPods will play a sound that gets gradually louder, making them easier to find.

2. Check the map: If your AirPods are out of Bluetooth range of your Apple devices, check the map in the Find My app to see if they were last located somewhere you’ve been. If so, go back to that location and try to locate your AirPods.

3. Use the iCloud website: If you don’t have another Apple device with you, you can also use the iCloud website to locate your AirPods. Sign in to iCloud.com/find with your Apple ID and password, and then select your AirPods from the list of devices. You’ll be able to see their last known location on a map.

4. Keep your AirPods charged: If your AirPods run out of battery, you won’t be able to locate them with Find My. Make sure to keep them charged so that you can always use the feature to locate them if they go missing.

5. Contact Apple Support: If you’ve tried all of these tips and still can’t locate your AirPods, or if you believe they have been stolen, contact Apple Support for assistance. They may be able to help you locate your AirPods or provide options for replacing them.