How to Ping Airpods

Have you ever opened your AirPod case only to realize that one of the tiny buds isn’t in its rightful place? Perhaps, you reached into your pocket only to realize that your entire AirPod case was missing. So, can you ping your AirPods and quickly find them? If so, how does that work?

Although Apple doesn’t let us connect our tiny, expensive, wireless earbuds to iCloud, we can find them using the Find My feature. As long as they’re paired to an iCloud-enabled Apple device, we’ll have no problem sounding an alarm or even getting directions to their last location.

Keep reading, and let us help you ping your AirPods. We’ll also give you a few helpful tips along the way.

How to Ping AirPods

You can use Apple’s Find My feature to ping your AirPods. But, excluding the 2nd Generation AirPods Pro, this only works for the buds, not the charging case.

Do keep in mind that the AirPods aren’t very loud by default, so get the area as quiet as possible before following the steps below. Also, this won’t work unless your AirPods were previously paired with an iCloud-enabled device like an iPhone or iPad.

If the companion device isn’t in the area or the AirPod’s battery is dead, these methods won’t work. It’s important to act quickly when you realize your AirPod is missing. Here’s what to do.

How to Ping AirPods Using the Find My iPhone App

If you have your iPhone or iPad handy, you can use that to ping your AirPods. Of course, like everything Apple-related, there are a few limitations.

First, use an Apple device paired with your AirPods. You’ll need to connect to the buds before you can ping them (hence why they need to have enough battery life to make a noise). Next, ensure that the Apple device and Find My iPhone feature all have the same iCloud account. Now that we’ve cleared all of that up let’s make some noise!

Step 1: Open the Find My App

On your iOS device’s home screen, tap the Find My application to launch it. You will see a list of your friends, devices, and Find My Settings at the bottom.

Helpful Hint: If you can’t find the Find My app, swipe to the right and type ‘Find My’ in the search bar at the top.

Step 2: Tap Devices at the bottom

This new page shows you a map and a few options at the bottom of the screen. Don’t worry with the map yet; we’re heading to the Devices tab at the bottom of your screen.

The Device tab will show you all of your iCloud account’s connected devices.

Step 3: Tap your AirPods

Review the list of devices for your AirPods. Then, tap on your AirPods. This page will open with a map, the option to play a sound, and directions.

Helpful Hint: Rename your AirPods in your iPhone’s settings to make them easier to identify in Find My iPhone.

Step 4: Tap Play a sound

Tap the option to the left that says Play a sound. This process may take a moment because your iOS device is trying to find your AirPod.

The sound will begin playing, and the display will tell you that it is emitting noise. Then, get quiet and start searching for your AirPods distress call.

Helpful Hint: The distress call sounds like a series of high-pitched chirping.

How to Ping AirPods Using iCloud

If you don’t have your phone handy or a computer makes the process easier, you can sound the alarm from a web browser. Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Open iCloud and Log In

Navigate to the iCloud website and log in. You will need to complete the 2-step verification process to access your account.

Be sure that the account you’re using is the same one connected to your AirPod’s companion device (an iPhone, tablet, etc.).

Step 2: Click on the Find My App

When you open your iCloud account, you will see many options. The Find My icon is located down the page to the left.

Click to open the Find My app.

Step 3: Click on All Devices

Now, a map will appear. You’ll see a dropdown menu at the top of the window that says All Devices. Click the dropdown menu to see all of the connected devices on your iCloud account.

Step 4: Select Your AirPods

Review the list until your find your AirPods. Then, click on them.

Helpful Hint: If you don’t see your AirPods in the dropdown menu, try another iCloud account.

Step 5: Click Play Sound

Click the play a sound option to ping your AirPods.

AirPods: Lost & Found

The AirPods, while worth it, are pretty pricey, and losing them is definitely a bummer. You don’t need to stress whether you left them by the sink or dropped one under your desk.

Although you can’t ping the charging case or dead AirPods, the ping AirPods feature is an invaluable tool to keep up with your costly earbuds. If you have yet to need the feature, ensure that your AirPods are paired with an iCloud-enabled device like an iPhone or iPad. Then, ensure that you can access that account to play a song.

Unlike the Apple Watch, which can ping your phone within Bluetooth range, the AirPods themselves aren’t so easily found. But following the steps above will reunite you with your lost AirPods in no time.

Up Next

• The 5 Best AirTag Wallets
• Can the Apple Watch Make Calls?
• How to Add AirPods to Find My iPhone

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ivan_Shenets/Shutterstock.com.