How do I track down the owner of AirPods … (2024)

FAQs

How do I track down the owner of AirPods …? ›

Apple cannot help identify the owners. It would be best to turn these in to the local authority or lost & found, where the owner would be most likely to check.

If the owner of the AirPod's has enabled lost mode, you can open the case next to your iPhone or iPad and contact details should appear on your screen. Keep in mind this will only work if the owner has explicitly enabled lost mode on their side.

Even if you are able to reset the AirPods, the original owner may still be able to track their location using the "Find My" feature if the AirPods are still linked to their iCloud account.

Note: If people use your AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro (all generations), or AirPods Max with multiple Apple IDs, only the person who turned on the Find My network can see them in the Find My app.

Return AirPods to factory settings

AirPods (all generations) or AirPods Pro (all generations): Put the AirPods in their case, close the lid, then wait 30 seconds. Open the lid, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.

Yes, it is absolutely possible to use someone else's AirPods. The issue you'll need to deal with is pairing.

Using the Find My app: Once in pairing range: Tap AirPods > Remove This Device > Remove. Using iCloud: On iCloud.com: Find My > All Devices > AirPods > Remove from Account > Remove. You can't remove AirPods from someone else's Apple ID. Only the owner of the Apple ID can remove them.

Open the lid of your charging case, and put your AirPods in your ears. Go to Settings > Bluetooth. Or go to Settings > [your AirPods]. next to your AirPods, tap Forget This Device, then tap again to confirm.

No. No one is going to hear what is you are listening to, unless they are close by, and then AirPods are not set in your ear with a good grip.

How do I disable AirPods that aren't mine? ›

With a web browser, go to: https://www.iCloud.com and sign in with her Apple ID. Open Find My iPhone and select All Devices (at the top). Then click the AirPods, select 'Erase', and select Next until the device is erased.

While you can lock devices like your iPhone or Mac remotely with Lost Mode, you can't do the same with AirPods. That said, anyone can easily use stolen AirPods when they find them. Unfortunately, Apple Warranty or AppleCare+ do not cover lost and stolen AirPods.

To remove your AirPods or Beats headphones from Find My, put them in their case or turn them off, then remove them from your devices list.

Apple cannot help identify the owners. It would be best to turn these in to the local authority or lost & found, where the owner would be most likely to check.

AirTag, AirPods, and Find My network accessories are designed to protect your privacy when you're using them to keep track of important items. They have unique Bluetooth identifiers that change frequently. The Find My network uses end-to-end encryption and is built with privacy in mind.

The thief who stole your AirPods has the ability to reset them and maybe even use them, but the thief can't set up your AirPods with his/her Apple ID because of Apple's security measures.

You need to remove AirPods from your Apple ID before giving away or selling them. That way, the new owner can pair them to their Apple ID and take advantage of all the features — including Find My. You can remove AirPods from your Apple ID on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed in with your Apple ID.

If someone else does have access to one of your Apple devices, you can prevent them from tracking your AirPods by removing the headphones from your iCloud account. You can do this within the Find My app, on iCloud.com, or by performing a factory reset.