How to Reset AirPods (Every Model, Including Pro 3)

A reset fixes most AirPods problems: one earbud that won't connect, audio only in one ear, AirPods that won't charge, or a pair that keeps dropping out. It wipes the pairing and settings and lets you start fresh. The steps depend on your model, because newer AirPods have no setup button. Here's how to do it for each.

Which reset method does your model use?

Model	How to reset
AirPods 1, 2 and 3	Hold the setup button about 15 seconds
AirPods Pro 1 and 2	Hold the setup button about 15 seconds
AirPods 4 (all models)	Double-tap the front of the case three times
AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3	Double-tap the front of the case three times

Not sure which you have? With the AirPods connected, open Settings on your iPhone and tap their name near the top; the model is listed there.

Reset AirPods with a setup button

1. Put both AirPods in the charging case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
2. On your iPhone, open Settings, then Bluetooth.
3. Tap the info button next to your AirPods, tap Forget This Device, then confirm. If they're not listed, skip this step.
4. Open the lid.
5. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.
6. Keep the lid open, hold the case next to your iPhone and follow the setup steps on screen.

Reset AirPods 4, AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3

1. Do steps 1 to 4 above: case closed for 30 seconds, forget the device, open the lid.
2. Double-tap the front of the case while the status light is on.
3. Double-tap again when the light flashes white.
4. Double-tap a third time when the light flashes faster.
5. When the light flashes amber, then white, the reset is done. Reconnect from the setup card on your iPhone.

The tap needs to be on the front of the case where the light is, and firm enough to register, like tapping a tabletop. Too soft and nothing happens.

If the light won't flash white

Apple's fix is simple: put the AirPods back in the case, close the lid for 20 seconds, open it and try the reset again. If it still fails, charge the case for a while first. A case that's nearly flat often refuses to reset, and Apple lists not charging as one of the problems a reset is meant to solve, so give it a fair charge before you assume something's broken.

Why forget them on your iPhone first

Forgetting the AirPods on your iPhone removes the old pairing record. If you skip it, the phone may try to reconnect with the old settings and you can end up with two entries or a pair that connects and drops. Because AirPods are linked to your Apple Account, forgetting them on the iPhone usually removes them from your iPad and Mac too.

Resetting AirPods before selling or giving them away

Reset them as above, then make sure they're removed from your Apple Account in the Find My app. Apple explains that someone else can't fully use AirPods that are still associated with another person's account, so this step matters for the new owner.

Problems a reset usually fixes

• One AirPod not connecting or not playing sound.
• The case won't charge the AirPods.
• AirPods connect but sound cuts in and out.
• Controls such as press and hold stopped working.

If a reset doesn't help, cleaning the case contacts and the speaker meshes is the next step, because dirt can stop an AirPod charging or sounding right.

After the reset

Your custom settings, such as the AirPods' name and what a press does, go back to default, so set them again in Settings. If you use them with a laptop, you'll need to pair them there again too. And if you're wondering whether AirPods are still the right choice, my guide to noise cancelling headphones compares them with the alternatives.

Reset versus restart

Not every glitch needs a full reset. If your AirPods only misbehave now and then, try the gentler fix first: put both in the case, close the lid for 30 seconds, then take them out again. That restarts them without wiping your settings. Use the full reset when the problem keeps coming back, when one AirPod won't connect at all or when you're passing the AirPods on to someone else.

Reset AirPods without your iPhone

You don't need the iPhone to reset the AirPods themselves: the button or tap steps on the case work on their own. Forgetting the AirPods on the iPhone is about cleaning up the phone's side, so do it when you next have the phone. Until then, the iPhone may show the old pairing and try to reconnect. Features such as Live Translation on AirPods need you to pair them with your iPhone again after a reset.

My verdict

Lid closed for 30 seconds, forget them on the iPhone, then 15 seconds on the setup button, or three double-taps on newer models. Watch for amber then white. If the light won't change, charge the case and try once more before booking a repair.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reset my AirPods?

Close the lid for 30 seconds, forget them in Bluetooth settings, then hold the setup button about 15 seconds.

How do I reset AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 4?

Double-tap the front of the case three times until the light flashes amber, then white.

What does the amber then white light mean?

The reset has worked and the AirPods are ready to pair.

Why won't my AirPods reset?

The case may need charging. Close the lid for 20 seconds and try again.

Does resetting AirPods remove them from my Apple Account?

Not always. Remove them in Find My before you give them away.