AppFixHQAirPods Not Connecting: How to Fix
Short answer: If AirPods won't connect to your iPhone, iPad or Mac, update, charge and re-pair them.
TL;DR: quick fix
- Update your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- Put both AirPods in the case and make sure they're charging.
- Check Bluetooth is on.
Is iPhone down?
Before you change settings, check Apple System Status. If there's an outage, wait it out.
How to fix it: step by step
- Update your iPhone, iPad or Mac.
- Put both AirPods in the case and make sure they're charging.
- Check Bluetooth is on.
- Open Control Center > AirPlay and select your AirPods.
- Put them in the case, close the lid for 15 seconds, open it and reconnect.
- If needed, reset and pair them again.
FAQ
Why does only one AirPod work?
Make sure both are charged in the case, then reconnect.
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Last checked Oct 2026 against the official help page: Apple Support. Menus can differ by app version; follow the official page if a step doesn't match.
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