iOS Guide: How To Use iOS 10.3+ To Find My Apple AirPod Bluetooth Headphones

iOS 10.3 lets you find your AirPod bluetooth headphones using the Find My iPhone app, and we want to make sure you know how the feature works and how to use it. This guide offers a quick recap to find those missing wireless buds.

HOW DOES THE FIND MY AIRPODS FEATURE WORK?

The Find My AirPods feature offers ways to find lost buds if they slip out of your pocket or fall onto the street. It’s probably better suited for the former task than the latter, but it can help in both circumstances. For short distances where they may be still paired, you can play a sound from each individual AirPod to help locate it. Note that the sound location feature doesn’t work if your AirPods are in their case.

Over long distances or inside the case is where the concept gets dicey. Similar to the process of finding an iPhone or iPad, the app displays a map to the object’s location. However, in the case of AirPods, it only shows where the headphones were last paired. That means someone can still pick them up off the street and the map won’t have that information. In other words, this feature is more helpful than nothing at all, but it’s not real time.

HOW DO I FIND MY LOST AIRPODS?

1. First you’ll need to check if your device has iOS 10.3 or higher. To do this go to Settings > General > About. Under the version heading you should see version 10.3 or higher. If not, go to Settings > General > Software Update and see if you can install it.
2. On the first page of your home screen, swipe left and use the search bar to type “Find iPhone.” Tap the app icon that appears.
3. You’ll see a list of devices, and the AirPods should be among them. Tap the name of the AirPods you wish to find.
4. The map will then pinpoint the last-paired location of your bluetooth headphones.
5. If you think they’re close by, tap the “play sound” button below the map. You’ll then be able to mute the chirping from the left or right sides depending on what you need.
6. If they’re somewhere far, you can tap the car icon above the “play sound” button to get driving directions to the place your AirPods were last paired.

Hopefully this guide helps you find your AirPods quickly and easily. iOS 10.3 is now available as a free download on supported devices. Check out our icon change guide for more details on the hot new update.
Is the Find My AirPods feature helpful? Should Apple make it work for more bluetooth headphone brands? Tell us in the comments section!