Apple AirPods offer up great sound quality in a portable package. Getting them up and running on your iPhone can be a bit daunting if it’s your first time, but it’s simple to set up. Whether you have the original AirPods or AirPods Pro, this easy-to-follow guide will provide you with the steps needed to connect your AirPods to your iPhone.
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Step 1: Make Sure AirPods Are Charged
It seems a bit silly to say this, but making sure your AirPods are charged is absolutely vital. There are two batteries to charge — the batteries for the ear buds and the battery for the case. If they do need to charge, plug in a cable to the charging port and let them sit for at least 15 minutes before attempting use.
Low power could result in the AirPods failing to connect to your phone, so check your AirPods battery to make sure it’s charged.
Step 2: Enable Bluetooth on Your Phone
AirPods and other wireless headsets require Bluetooth to connect. If Bluetooth is turned off, you can easily re-enable it. Navigate to your home screen and select settings. Locate Bluetooth near the Wi-Fi menu option. Enable it if it’s turned off, then your phone is ready to connect to your AirPods.
Step 3: Open Your AirPods Case
If this is a brand new set of AirPods, all you have to do is open up its case to start the configuration process. Ideally, this will show on your screen. If not, there are some optional steps we’ll clarify later in this guide. A pop-up should appear on your home screen when the AirPods case is open, showing a prompt.
Step 4: Establish Connection
The pop-up window on your home screen will allow you to connect your AirPods to your phone. This should be an automatic process with minimal input needed on your end. After the AirPods establish a connection, they will guide you through the process of setting them up for use with your phone. The provided guide is useful for learning how to interact with Siri and other functions of the iPhone.
Manually Connecting to iPhone
In the event that the provided steps don’t work, there is another solution. When the automatic connection and setup fail, we need to manually connect to the iPhone instead. This is a simple process, so don’t worry.
Step 1: Press Setup Button
The setup button can be found on the back of the case, but placement may vary depending on which generation of AirPods you have. The AirPods should be fully charged, so just press the button on the back of the case.
A status light will come on when the button is held long enough. The light’s placement is dependent on the model of AirPods you own, but it could be located either inside or outside of the case.
Step 2: Connect
With a freshly blinking status light, it’s time to connect your AirPods to your iPhone. This is the same prompt that should occur when setting up a brand-new pair of AirPods. Tap connect and it should begin the same process, taking you through the same setup guide for configuring your device.
Notes for Manually Connecting
The previous two steps assume you’ve done the procedures for connecting with a new pair of AirPods. Bluetooth must be enabled on your phone. Otherwise, the Apple AirPods can’t connect. The device needs to be charged, requiring a minimum of 15 minutes to guarantee a connection.
AirPod Models
Since their 2016 introduction, Apple’s AirPods have proven to be one of their most successful product launches in recent history. In the last five years, there have been additions to the product line, with headphones ranging from high-grade noise-isolating headsets to the original clamshell design. At the time of this writing, the most recent models are the AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, and the AirPods 3rd Generation.
They all function similarly, natively supporting Apple hardware like iPhones, iPads, and the lineup of Mac computers that are Bluetooth-enabled.
The base AirPods are reasonably priced, retailing at $139, and are intended for an active lifestyle. These handy earbuds come in their own charging carrying case and are claimed to be sweat and water-resistant.
AirPods Pro are an upgrade to the included features, boasting the same style of charging case but also offering noise cancellation and adaptive transparency. They currently retail for $199 and they are on their second generation.
The final model, the AirPods Max, is the highest tier available. Currently retailing for $449, they are closer to traditional headphones than earbuds. They offer active noise cancellation, physical volume controls, and a transparency mode.
Which Pair of AirPods is Right for Me?
Picking out an ideal model of wireless headphones can be tough, but if you’re an iPhone user, Airpods are an excellent choice. They are supported by Apple products, meaning you’ll spend less time getting things running than if you obtained a comparable pair of wireless headphones like Sony or Jabra.
The base model is a great option, although active noise cancellation and transparency aren’t available with these. They’re exceptionally tough, however, with some users reporting they’ve washed theirs with the laundry and the AirPods continued to work as they should.
