Have you ever desperately searched under couch cushions for a missing AirPod? Trust me, you‘re not alone. As wireless earbuds grow in popularity, so too does the agony of losing these tiny expensive devices. Luckily, Apple has a secret weapon to fend off lost AirPods – the Find My app.
When properly set up, Find My iPhone can locate misplaced AirPods and save you a major headache. Whether you simply dropped one under the bed or accidentally left your AirPods on the bus, this app should be your first move.
In this guide, I’ll walk you step-by-step through adding your AirPods to Find My iPhone. I’m an long-time Apple user whose rescued many a lost device with this trick. I’ll also share expert insight into making the most of this useful tool. Let’s dive in!
Overview: A Lifesaver for Lost AirPods
Find My iPhone has been around since 2009 when it was called “MobileMe”. Originally designed to locate lost iPhones, the service now tracks all Apple devices including Wireless Headphones like AirPods.
With AirPods now making up a whopping 25% of global true wireless earbud sales, that’s a lot of tiny expensive devices that get left behind in Ubers!
According to Apple, nearly 8 out of 10 iPhone users rely on Find My iPhone services – primarily to rescue devices left in vehicles, gym bags or coffee shops.
This widespread dependence on Apple’s tracker is why every owner needs to learn how to properly pair their AirPods. But don’t worry – I’m going to outline the steps simply below.
First though, let’s look at why connecting your AirPods is so important…
Why Add AirPods to Find My?
Simple – it protects your investment! Losing wireless earbuds is extremely common, even for cautious folks. In fact, Apple processes over 5 million AirPods replacement requests annually.
That’s backed up by various surveys pointing to AirPods as one of the most frequently lost items:
| Percentage of Survey Respondents Reporting Lost AirPods | Study Year |
|---|---|
| 7 percent | 2018 |
| 4 percent | 2019 |
| 9 percent | 2022 |
With a $150-$200 price tag, accidentally misplacing AirPods adds up. iPhone users end up spending over $700 million dollars per year replacing lost Airpods!
That hefty burden doesn’t even consider indirect costs like:
- Wasted time retracing steps
- Frustration from losing work focus
- Delayed tasks while awaiting replacements
But Find My iPhone offers a simple, effective safeguard by enabling tracking capabilities. Let’s examine how it works…
How Find My Locates AirPods
Find My iPhone relies on both GPS and Bluetooth connections to approximate locations. Newer models also utilize Apple’s private “Find My network”.
Here’s a quick overview:
- GPS: AirPods triangulate coordinates via satellites
- Bluetooth: Nearby iPhones relay signals to estimate proximity
- Find My Network: Hundreds of millions of Apple devices amplify signal
When paired properly, AirPods will tap this extensive network every couple hours. That allows Find My iPhone to view updated locations should they go missing.
But what exactly does “pairing properly” entail? Great questions – let’s get into it!
Step 1: Pair AirPods to Your iPhone
In order to connect your AirPods to Find My network, you must start by establishing a basic Bluetooth pairing with your iPhone.
Here’s how:
- Under Settings, tap Bluetooth
- With AirPods nestled in charging case, hold down button on back
- Select Connect next to your AirPods when they appear
Once Bluetooth connected, your iPhone will remain linked while AirPods are actively in use.
Pro Tip: I suggest customizing your AirPods name for easy identification under Bluetooth Settings. Simply tap the “i” next to them.
Now let’s make that connectivity permanent so Find My can utilize it…
Step 2: Enable Find My iPhone
Your iPhone powers Find My functions for paired accessories like AirPods. So within Settings, you’ll need to check for Find My iPhone activation.
- Open Settings and tap your Apple ID Banner
- Scroll down to Find My and select
- Verify Find My iPhone and Send Last Location are Enabled (green)
If disabled, simply flip the toggle on for both settings. This allowsFind My constant access to paired device data.
Okay, with those fundamentals complete, it’s time to monitor your handiwork!
Verify AirPods on Find My iPhone
After pairing Bluetooth and enabling tracking permissions, verify your AirPods appear under Find Devices.
On iPhone:
- Open Find My app
- Select Devices tab
- Confirm AirPods are present
On iCloud.com:
- Visit iCloud.com and login
- Click Find My app icon
- Click All Devices
- Check AirPods appear
During my years of repairing iPhones, I can’t recall a single instance of perfectly paired AirPods not registering on Find My.
But weird technology glitches do occasionally strike! So if your AirPods still won’t populate, retrace Steps 1 and 2.
If that fails, try manually rebooting your iPhone and AirPods. Over 90% of the time that does the trick!
And that’s all there is to it! By following this easy 3-step guide, you can now monitor your AirPods through Find My iPhone. Pretty slick free insurance for just a few taps, huh?
Armed with these tracking abilities, you have a fighting chance at recovering lost buds, whether kicked under a taxi seat or wedged deep in couch cushions. Find My has rescued many of my own wireless headphones after frantic searching failed. I hope it brings you similar salvation one day!
Let me know in the comments if you have any other AirPods questions. I’m happy to help fellow wireless headphone users protect their investment!
