How to Pair AirPods, AirPods Pro, & AirPods Max to an iPhone

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Plus, some troubleshooting tips if your AirPods won't connect

Written by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: June 16, 2025 Fact Checked

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Connecting AirPods or AirPods Pro

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Pairing AirPods Max

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Troubleshooting

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Video

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Q&A

Ready to start using your new AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max with your iPhone? Connecting your AirPods to your iPhone is easy, and once you do so, they'll automatically pair each time you bring them near your iPhone or other Apple devices. We'll show you how to pair your AirPods to your iPhone, and what steps to take if you can't connect.

Quick Steps to Connect AirPods to an iPhone

Open your iPhone's settings.
Tap the Bluetooth menu.
Enable Bluetooth (if it's not already on).
AirPods/AirPods Pro: Place the AirPods in the case and open the lid.
AirPods Max: Remove the AirPods from the Smart Case.
Hold the AirPods near your iPhone.
Tap Connect.

Section 1 of 3:

Connecting AirPods or AirPods Pro

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1
Open your iPhone's Settings
. It's the gray gear icon on your Home screen or in your App Library.
- You can pair all AirPods to any iPhone model beginning with iPhone 6s.^{[1]
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- If you haven't charged your AirPods, you'll want to charge them for at least 15 minutes before trying to connect them to your iPhone.
It's in the second group of settings.

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If the switch is gray, tap it to enable Bluetooth now.
You can do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or by pressing the Home button (if you have one).
5
Place your AirPods in the charging case and open the lid. When the AirPods are in the case with the lid open, they'll be ready to pair to your iPhone.
- If you're using AirPods Max, just remove them from the Smart Case and press the noise control button on the top of the right headphone.^{[2]
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After a few seconds, you'll see a setup animation on your iPhone's screen.^{[3]
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Tap Connect on your iPhone. This will take you through the process of pairing your AirPods to your iPhone.^{[4]
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- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your AirPods to work with Siri if prompted.
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Tap Done. Your AirPods are now paired to your iPhone and ready to use.^{[5]
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- After pairing your AirPods to your iPhone, your AirPods will automatically pair to any other Apple device you log into with the same Apple ID.

Section 2 of 3:

Pairing AirPods Max

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1
Open your iPhone's Settings
. It's the gray gear icon on your Home screen or in your App Library.
- You can pair all AirPods to any iPhone model beginning with iPhone 6s.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- If you haven't charged your AirPods, you'll want to charge them for at least 5 minutes before trying to connect them to your iPhone.
It's in the second group of settings.
If the switch is gray, tap it to enable Bluetooth now.
You can do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen or by pressing the Home button (if you have one).
You must remove the AirPods Max from its Smart Case before trying to pair them.^{[7]
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6
Tap Connect on your iPhone. This will take you through the process of pairing your AirPods to your iPhone.^{[8]
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- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your AirPods to work with Siri if prompted.
7
Tap Done. Your AirPods are now paired to your iPhone and ready to use.^{[9]
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- After pairing your AirPods to your iPhone, your AirPods will automatically pair to any other Apple device you log into with the same Apple ID.

Section 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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1
Press and hold the button on the back of the case. If you don't see the option to connect your AirPods, keep the case open, but press and hold the button on the back of the case for about 5 seconds or until you see the option to connect.
- For AirPods 4, there’s no button on the back of the case. Double-tap on the front of the case instead.^{[10]
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- If you're using AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button on the top of the right headphone until you're prompted to connect.^{[11]
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- If your iPhone's screen is locked, be sure to unlock it and make sure you're looking at the Home screen.
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Try pairing manually. If you still don't see the option to pair your AirPods:^{[12]
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- Open the Settings app and tap Bluetooth.
- Turn Bluetooth off and then back on.
- Tap your AirPods in the list of available devices. ^{[13]
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- Tap Connect and follow the on-screen instructions.
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Restart the pairing process. If you still can't connect, try these steps:
- AirPods and AirPods Pro: Close the lid of the charging case, wait 15 seconds, and then open the lid. Press and hold the button on the case for 10 seconds or until the status light flashes white.^{[14]
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- AirPods Max: Press and hold the digital crown and noise control buttons at the same time, and immediately release when the light flashes amber.^{[15]
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If your AirPods aren't charged, you'll have trouble pairing. Allow your AirPods to charge for several minutes (at least) before attempting to pair again.^{[16]
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5
Update your iPhone to the latest version of iOS. If you're using an older version of Apple's operating system, you may have trouble connecting your AirPods. To check for an update:^{[17]
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- Open your iPhone's Settings app.
- Tap General near the top.
- Tap Software Update.
- If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
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Reset your AirPods to their original factory settings. If you still can't connect, resetting your AirPods to their original factory settings will usually resolve the issue:^{[18]
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- AirPods 1, 2, 3, and AirPods Pro: Place the AirPods in their case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds, then open the lid of the case. Press the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds, and continue holding until the light flashes white.
- AirPods 4: Place the AirPods in their case and close the lid. Wait 30 seconds, then open the lid of the case. Double-tap the front of the case three times. The AirPods are reset when the light flashes white.
- AirPods Max: Press and hold the Digital Crown and noise control buttons at the same time, and continue holding until the light flashes white.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I disconnect AirPods?

Community Answer

You have to turn off Bluetooth on your phone, turn off your AirPods, or you can have your iPhone "forget" them. To do this go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the circular i icon, tap for get device, and tap forget in the popup.

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