We have all had that moment, patting down every pocket, checking under the couch cushions, and retracing our steps, only to realize our AirPods have vanished. For such tiny devices, they sure know how to disappear. Thankfully, Apple’s Find My app usually comes to my rescue. But what happens when even Find My throws up its hands and says, “No clue!”
If your AirPods aren’t showing up on Find My, you are not alone. There are a few technical reasons why this might happen, and understanding them can save you time (and stress) the next time your AirPods decide to go rogue.
Here are seven possible reasons your AirPods aren’t appearing on Find My, and what you can do about it.
Why Are My AirPods not Showing Up On Find My
Find My Is Disabled
Before your AirPods can be tracked, Find My needs to be enabled on the device they are paired with (like your iPhone or iPad). If the app isn’t turned on when you first set it up, unfortunately, Find My won’t be able to locate it.
If this has happened and you want to turn this feature back on, follow the steps below.
- I start by going to Settings.
- There, I click on “Privacy & Security.”
- Next, I click on Location Services and turn it on.
- Once done, please scroll down to Find my app.
- Then, go to Find My App and click on Devices. There, the name of my AirPods is reflected.
Now that you know how important this feature is, if it is disabled, you will have to rely on your memory to find your AirPods.
AirPods Not Charged
AirPods with a low battery not only prevent you from listening to your favorite songs and audiobooks, but they also prevent the Find My app from locating your AirPods. If your AirPods and the charging case are dead, then there is no way the Find My app can identify them. It can, however, get you to their last known location.
So if you haven’t charged them recently, this could be the reason they are missing or can’t be found.
AirPods Firmware Not Updated
Let’s address the most common issue that can prevent Find My App from locating your AirPods: they are not updated. Yes, AirPods get updates too, just like your phone.
If they are running on outdated firmware, certain features like tracking in Find My may not work correctly. Make sure your AirPods are regularly connected to your iPhone to receive updates automatically when charging.
Not Signed Into iCloud
I find iCloud to be an excellent feature that lets me use the Find My app on iPhone, Mac, and Windows, too. So, yes, if you are not signed into your iCloud account, then you will have difficulty locating your AirPods.
The Find My app only works if you are signed into iCloud on your Apple devices. If you are using a new phone or have recently logged out, Find My won’t be able to sync with your AirPods. It’s a small thing that can cause a big headache.
Been Offline for Too Long
AirPods that haven’t been connected to any Apple device or the internet for an extended period eventually stop showing on Find My. Apple only stores the last known location for a limited time, so if it’s been days (or weeks), they may no longer appear at all.
Apple’s System Might Be Temporarily Down
Sometimes the problem isn’t on your end at all. If the Apple System Status is down, you need to wait for it to come back up. When this happens, you cannot do anything and have to rely on your luck.
Final Thoughts
The Find My app is available for users to detect any of their lost Apple devices. Earlier, I used to think that Find My was only used to locate your iPhone, but you can also use this feature to find your AirPods.
To check if this works, you can experiment and see if it shows the precise location where your AirPods are placed. If they don’t, you can reset your AirPods and restart your devices. Since you already have an iPhone and AirPods, you might as well explore all the features they offer.
