Losing AirPods can be frustrating., as their small size and portability make them one of the most frequently forgotten or lost devices. Fortunately, Apple has implemented a series of features that can help you recover them quickly if you act quickly.
In this complete guide we explain how to mark them as lost, how to locate them even if they're disconnected or dead, and what options you have if you can't recover them. Whether you're using AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or the standard models, you'll find everything you need to know here.
What do you need to mark AirPods as lost?
First of all, it is important to have the app activated Find My on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac you paired your AirPods with. This app is the key to tracking your location or activate functions to increase the chances of recovering them.
If you never turned on Search on the device before losing them, you will not be able to access location features. Then, You can find out how to add your AirPods to the Support app. to manage your location in the future.
How to enable Lost Mode for your AirPods
El AirPods Lost Mode allows you to lock the devices and add a message so that if someone finds them, they can return them to you. Only available for select models: AirPods 1rd generation, AirPods Pro (2st and XNUMXnd generation), and AirPods Max.
To activate it, these are the steps:
- Open the app Search from your iPhone or Apple device.
- Go to the tab Devices and select your AirPods from the list.
- Swipe up to see more options.
- Press on Mark as lost and then Activate.
- Enter your phone number or email so that whoever finds them can easily contact you.
- Confirm and click on Activate.
This message will be displayed on the user's Apple device when they connect the AirPods., and it can make a big difference if someone finds them and is willing to return them.
Track AirPods even when they're offline or out of battery
One of the biggest fears when losing your AirPods is that they'll run out of battery. Fortunately, Apple saves the last known location from your headphones even if they are discharged.
To see that last location:
- Open the app Search on your iPhone, iPad or go to icloud.com/find.
- Select the tab Devices.
- Choose your AirPods.
- You will see a map with your last known position. tap on Indications to start the route.
If you see messages like “No connection” or “No location found”, they may be completely turned off or out of range. However, if they come back online, you'll receive a notification.
Ring them to find them if they are nearby
This feature is only available if your AirPods are turned on, within Bluetooth range, and signed in to your iCloud account.
To use it:
- Accede to Search on the iPhone.
- Choose your AirPods.
- If you are within coverage, tap Play sound.
They will start to emit intermittent beeps that will help you locate them if they are hidden between cushions, furniture or corners of the house.
Some models also offer the function Search Nearby, which acts as a kind of radar to help you further refine your search from your iPhone.
What if you already think you lost them outside the home?
When you suspect your AirPods have been left behind in a public place, such as a store or public transport, Don't waste time and start tracking.
Check the last known location as we explained before, and go personally to the indicated location to search. If someone found them, they may have left them in the lost and found.
An alternative for future occasions is to use AirTag cases, which in addition to facilitating location, improve accuracy even when out of range or unloaded.
Additional information you can include with Lost Mode
When you activate Lost Mode, you have the option to include a personalized message with your contact informationThis message can be key to helping whoever finds you easily.
In addition, the latest models such as the AirPods Pro 2 may be marked separately: Both each earbud and the case have their own indicators, making it easy to locate them individually if you lose them separately.
Can AirPods be blocked from being used?
Yes. Although there is no total lock like an iPhone, there are steps you can take to limit the use of stolen AirPods:
- Mark as lost. While they are in your iCloud account, Lost Mode prevents the pairing with other Apple devices associated with different accounts.
- Contact technical supportYou can ask Apple to block the serial number or include it in a black list.
These precautions do not prevent 100% of them from being reused, but they do make it difficult for a thief to take advantage of them.
Tips if you can't get them back
If after applying all the above methods you are unable to find them, you can consider the following alternatives:
- Buy an individual replacement If you only lost one earbud, some specialty stores offer individual AirPods with an Apple warranty.
- Purchase a new game and this time, activate all the safety features from the beginning.
- Get AppleCare+ with theft protection (if available in your country) to cover possible future losses.
When to contact the police?
In case of theft, we recommend you report as soon as possibleA police report will serve as proof if you have active insurance, or if Apple requires documentation to block them.
Remember to include all relevant information: serial number, approximate date of loss, last known location, etc. It is also advisable report the theft in the Find My app to show that they are permanently lost.
Marking your AirPods as lost is crucial if you want to have any chance of recovering them, especially if they've gone offline. The Find My app, its tracking features, Lost Mode, and contact messages are all powerful tools to facilitate recovery. Adding accessories like AirTag cases or enabling alerts in case of loss can make all the difference. While you won't always be able to recover them, implementing these measures from the start will help minimize the impact of the loss and increase the chances of getting them back in your hands. We hope you now know how to mark your AirPods as lost.
