Can AirPods Be Tracked? (All Feasible Methods)

Have you lost your AirPods again and want to trace them or see if they are simple prey for forgetfulness? Please read our article, explore our methods, and discover the plain truth behind tracking AirPods. When they go missing, learn with detailed guides on how to locate them.

Before you go to purchase the Apple AirPods, there are a few things you also need to learn. While there is a drastic revolution in wireless earbuds, AirPods are becoming essential among different users.

They come with a compact design to give individuals a seamless integration and experience and guaranteed high-quality sound. But there comes a time when you misplace your AirPods. Many people have been asking if AirPods can be tracked.

If you worry about the privacy of AirPods, read our article and explore methods, the possibility of tracking, and many more FAQs concerning AirPods. Please read and let us delve into the insights from detailed research for more.

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Can AirPods Be Tracked?

Yes, there are different methods through which you can track your lost Apple AirPods. Amongst the well-known methods is the use of the Find My feature. These include the regular AirPods, Airpod Pro, and Airpod Max. For AirPods Pro (2nd generation) or later, the case can also be tracked, and users can see the location of each of the AirPods and the charging case on the map.

The other method to track your lost AirPods is iCloud, which sends a play sound using an iPad, iPhone, iPad Touch, or Mac device. However, to achieve this method easily, you must have aS well As Find My feature on the AirPods and linked with the relevant device in question.

Therefore, if you are curious to learn the methods, detailed procedure, and more tips and hacks on locating your lost AirPods, then keep reading our article. We have researched it, and here are the results.

Limitations on How Far You Can Track AirPods?

Before going into the procedure and methods, we highlight the limitations on how far you can trace the lost AirPods. First, AirPods do not have Wi-Fi or GPS connectivity built-in, so it's not possible to track them over long distances. Using Bluetooth when connected to another Apple device, their location can be seen from around 40 feet (10 meters). Any distance beyond the radius is outside the reach.

Still, if your AirPods are stolen and then user sync with their Apple devices, this will limit the tracking ability or possibility when using your linked iOS device.

Thus, keep reading our article and explore the major method to consider when tracing your AirPods using an iOS device with version 10.3+.

How to Track Apple AirPods with Find My Feature on iOS Device?

We will start by highlighting the procedure of tracking lost AirPods but with the Find My feature enabled. You can use Find My Device enabled like iPhone, iOS devices, etc.

But remember that for this method to work, you need to have enabled the Find My feature on the iOS device with AirPods. As long as you set up the Find My feature on the device, they automatically enable the same feature on the AirPods.

Thus, follow the below procedure to track the lost AirPods:

Step 1: With your Apple device, click on the pre-installed Find My App and click on the device.

Step 2: From the list of the linked devices, keep scrolling and locate the AirPods. For AirPods Pro (2nd generation) or later, you can also select the case.

Step 3: After that, you can see the AirPods plotted on the map, which shows the current live location. If not, you will be able to see the last known location. If they are nearby, you have a couple of options to help find them.

If your AirPods are nearby, tap "Play Sound" and listen for a series of beeps to help locate them. This feature is useful for finding AirPods that are within hearing distance.
Depending on your AirPods and iPhone model, you may also see an option to "Find Nearby." Tap it, wait for your AirPods to connect to your iPhone, then follow the prompts to find your AirPods.
If your AirPods are out of range or uncharged, you'll see their last known location or "Offline"/"No location found." Directions to this location may be available, but playing a sound or using Find Nearby won't be possible. If they reconnect, you'll get a notification on your iPhone or other paired Apple device.

Step 4: Click on the direction and obtain the driving direction using the Apple map, which will redirect you to the AirPods location.

Note that in case the lost AirPods are not accessible or can never be found, then you will be able to see the no location found. If the lost AirPods are not in the same place, you will see the area at a time on the map. When you have found the lost AirPods, put them in your case. After that, refresh the map.

Last, if you cannot find your AirPods, you can mark them as lost in the Find My app. Choose your AirPods and swipe up. Under "Mark as Lost," tap "Activate." Follow the onscreen steps to display your contact information in case someone finds your AirPods. Select "Activate".

How to Find Apple AirPods Using iCloud?

If you cannot access the iOS device immediately, you are likely worried about tracking lost AirPods. You can indeed locate the lost AirPods using a computer through iCloud. Here is what you need to do in this case:-

Step 1: Navigate to the cloud and log in to the account using your ideal Apple ID and password.

Step 2: Then click on Find my iPhone.

Step 3: From The menu, select all devices. In some cases, you might be tempted again to sign in.

Step 4: Then, proceed by selecting AirPods.

Step 5: You will plot the current location or, if not, the last known location of the lost AirPods.

Upon installation on your Mac, you can also easily install the Find My app to track the AirPods. Install the app, launch, and click AirPods to track them by accessing the live location on the map.

Remember, the effectiveness of these steps depends on whether your AirPods are connected to the internet through a paired device and if the Find My feature was enabled before they were lost.

How to Track Airpods by Playing Sound?

The other method to track your lost AirPods is playing the sound or music, but only if they are connected through Bluetooth and close to the connected device. To play sound and track them, follow the below procedure:-

Step 1: You can find my app if you are signed in to an iPhone or iOS device. However, when using iCloud on the computer, choose Find My iPhone and select AirPods from the menu.

Step 2: For the iOS, click the device, then choose AirPods and proceed by playing sound.

Step 3: For iCloud, choose all devices, click AirPods from the map, and play sound on the popup menu.

Step 4: You Will be able to hear the sound play on your AirPods, which makes it easy to locate them while still close to you. You can select play sound on the right as well as left, and when you have found it, click stop the sound.

How to Track AirPods on a Mac Device?

There is a pre-installed Find My application on the Mac. This vital app helps you locate AirPods when you are lost. Follow the below procedure:

Step 1: Click on the Finder icon in your Dock, then select "Applications" from the sidebar. Scroll down and open the "Find My" application. Alternatively, you can use Spotlight Search (Command + Space) and type "Find My" to open the app.

Step 2: In the Find My app, click on the "Devices" tab to see a list of all the devices linked to your Apple ID. From this list, select your AirPods.

Step 3: Once selected, you'll see a map showing the location of your AirPods. If they are nearby and connected to your Mac via Bluetooth, their current location will be displayed. If they are not connected, you may see their last known location.

Make sure that the Find My feature is enabled on your Mac and that your AirPods are linked to the same Apple ID. The Find My app on Mac requires macOS Catalina or later to use the Find My network and track devices.

Tracking AirPods with Serial Number

AirPods come with a unique serial number. Therefore, there is a roundabout method to track the owner. You can also track down the lost AirPods owner using their serial number. However, understand that only law enforcement can use these serial numbers when the AirPods get stolen, and you need verification of ownership before you are granted.

But, if your AirPods are stolen, there's a high chance they will be reset. Once AirPods are reset, they become untraceable. The only solution might be to purchase a new pair, as thieves can easily reset and re-sync them using different cases.

How to Remove AirPods Tracking?

There is a way out when you do not want someone to track you with the AirPods. Thus, follow these steps to remove Airpod tracking or reset it:-

Step 1: First, make sure your AirPods are in the charger case

Step 2: Then let the let remain open.

Step 3: Locate a button at the back of the case and long-press it.

Step 4: Hold the button long enough till you see the flashing white light, especially between AirPods.

You have just finished resetting the AirPods to their factory setting. That is, they are disconnected from the linked Apple device.

This way, you have turned off the tracking. You can reactivate it by reconnecting to your iCloud account. Still, you can proceed to remove the device to access the AirPods and avoid being tracked with a particular device. Here is the guide for you:-

Step 1: With your devices, click settings. Presume that this is the device for which you no longer wish to activate the AirPods tracking capability.

Step 2: Then, choose Bluetooth on the menu.

Step 3: In this section, locate the AirPods.

Step 4: Tap on forget this device menu.

Step 5: You can disable the particular iOS device when tracking those AirPods.

What to Do If You Cannot Track Lost AirPods?

There comes a time when you will end up with a notification that no location was found while tracking the lost AirPods. Then, some of the instances under which you will not be able to track the lost AirPods are-

When you fail to enable the Find My feature on the AirPods and link to the Apple device before getting lost. You will never be able to locate them on the map or using the above-discussed methods.
Also, your AirPods must be recharged to be visible to the tracking. Without charge, you cannot track them.
If the lost AirPods fall outside the range of 40 ft radius, they will not be visible. While you can get the no location message, you can still proceed to get the last known location.

Therefore, if all the above methods don't work for you, it is unfortunate that you need to get new AirPods. Multiple other wireless earbuds are trackable.

Conclusion

As long as you have linked your AirPods with Find My Feature on iOS devices, you can follow the above method and detailed procedure to track them up to a radius of 40ft. Also, when your AirPods get stolen and reset, the chances are that you will not track and activate them.

Therefore, law enforcement and Apple can use the unique serial number to track down and verify the ownership when it is reported as stolen and found.