Locating Lost AirPods

How do you find your AirPods when they go missing? Rather than searching your pockets, car seats or backpack, just get your iPhone and use the “Find My iPhone” app. The most recent iOS update (version 10.3) now includes a feature to locate lost AirPods along with keeping track of your other phones and tablets.

There are some limitations to this technology since it’s operating on Bluetooth and not GPS. And you have to first add the AirPods to your iCloud account. All of the devices in your account are looking out for each other, literally. Using the Bluetooth connection, any of your devices in range of the AirPods will provide you with a general location of the wayward AirPods. If you have a strong Bluetooth signal, this could mean searching anywhere up to a hundred feet around your device. You’ll have a general idea if the AirPods are in the car, your office, at home, etc.

If you are our of range of your device, then you’ll have to work off of a last location recorded. This can make it difficult to find your missing AirPods if you’ve lost them at the beach or taking the dog for a run.

To assist with locating the earbuds once you’ve narrowed down the search area, Apple has included a “Play Sound” feature in the app. Tap this button, and the AirPods will start chirping. Just follow the sound and you’ve found them – success!  (One caveat – if the AirPod battery runs out, there’s no juice to sound the alarm and they’ll remain frustratingly silent during your search).

And if all else fails, you can always order up another set from Amazon and know you can find them in a box at your doorstep in just a few days. Due to high demand for this product, there is a currently a price premium : Apple Airpods Wireless Bluetooth Headset for iPhones with iOS 10 ($159 – $375)

Note: The Apple Store is currently back-ordered for this product, and deliveries are taking about 6 weeks. You order direct from Apple here: iPhone Accessories AirPods ($169)

See here for more information on the pricing.