How to Fix AirPods Won’t Connect to iPhone/iPad Easily

AirPods won’t pair? AirPods won’t connect? This guide will show you how to fix the AirPods connection failed issue on iPhone/iPad in iOS 14/13/12.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Dec. 30, 2021

AirPods are effortless, and with the custom-designed Apple W1 chip, using them is just as easy. You can switch between your Apple devices without difficulty. However, you suddenly find that your AirPods won’t work: the AirPods won’t pair or the AirPods connect to iPhone/iPad is not working.

Don’t worry, to help you get back to enjoying music once again, here we will show you how to fix the AirPods connection failed problem with detailed steps.

1. The Basic Requirements

  • Your iPhone/iPad should run iOS 10.2 or later.
  • Set up AirPods using iPhone: Unlock your iPhone > Open the Charging Case that contains your AirPods > Hold the Charging Case nest to your iPhone > A setup animation will appear > Tap on Connect > Tap on Done.
  • Make sure your earphones are charged.

2. Fix AirPods Won’t Pair with iPhone

It is easy to set up earphones with your iPhone/iPad, but what if you don’t see the setup animation on your device? Follow the steps below to fix the AirPods that won’t pair with iPhone/iPad problem.

Step 1. Put your earphones in the case > Close the lid of the earphones.

Step 2. Open the lid after about 15 seconds > The status will flash white and try to set up your earphones.

Step 3. If the status light doesn’t flash white, you can press and hold the setup button until you see the status light flash white. (Setup button is on the back of the case.)

Step 4. If you still cannot set up your AirPods, please press and hold the setup button for about 15 seconds again, and the status light will amber a few times then flash white.

3. Fix AirPods Won’t Connect to iPhone/iPad

Tip 1. Restart your device.

This is the basic solution you can try firstly, press and hold the power button > drag the slide to power off > turn your iPhone back on after 30 seconds.

Tip 2. Turn off and then turn on Bluetooth.

Go to Settings App > Tap Bluetooth > Turn it off and then turn it on after a few seconds.

Tip 3. Let your AirPods in the range of your iPhone.

The AirPods connect to iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth, and it only works when they are within a certain range of each other. Swipe up from the bottom of the Home screen to open the control center > Swipe from right to left to access the audio interface > Tap the audio output button > Check if your AirPods are listed. If you cannot see the AirPods, then they are out of range.

Tip 4. Make sure your AirPods have connected to the right device.

Make sure your AirPods have connected to the right device because they are designed to connect to any device linked to your Apple ID. You can open the control center to access the audio interface to have a check.

Tip 5. Put your AirPods into Bluetooth pairing mode.

If you haven’t logged into your iCloud account on iPhone/iPad, then you can try this method. For detailed steps, please go to Part 2.

Tip 6. Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update to make it.

Tip 7. Forget an AirPod.

If you replace one of your AirPods, and the right or left AirPod may not pair together. Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Click the “i” icon next to the old AirPod(s) > Tap Forget This Device. If no Forget option, then reset the network settings: Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Tip 8. Reset All Settings.

It will not erase any data on your iPhone/iPad, and just reset your iPhone to the default settings. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Tip 9. Restore your device.

If all the above methods cannot fix the iPhone won’t connect to iPhone/iPad issue. Then you can restore your iPhone to have a try. Just remember to backup your iPhone firstly.

Tip 10. Repair your AirPods.

If you meet the AirPods won’t connect issue for a certain time, there may be a hardware problem. Within the return window: bring your AirPods back to the store where you purchased. Outside the return window: repair the AirPods through Apple online support.

Bonus Tip: How to Fix iPhone/iPad System Problems with Ease

Usually, Apple users can experience many new iOS features every year when new iPhone models or new iOS versions are released. Meanwhile, they’re facing various Apple problems at any time.  Then AnyFix – iOS system recovery was born.

AnyFix is designed to fix iOS/iPadOS/tvOS problems in any scenario instantly, such as iOS stuck in issue, iOS won’t start/turn off, etc. And with AnyFix, you can solve complicated iTunes errors with a simple click. Besides, it provides you the function of downgrading/upgrading iOS, hard resetting devices or 1-click resetting, etc.

So if you’re in a tricky situation with iPhone/iPad system problems. Just follow the steps below to fix iPhone/iPad system problems:

Step 1. Get AnyFix on your Computer

Download and install AnyFix on your computer, then launch it and you will see the interface below. Just choose the System Repair panel from the home page. Remember to connect iPhone with the computer.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Tap on System Repair

Tap on System Repair

Step 2. Download Firmware and Enter Recovery Mode

1. You will see 4 iOS/tvOS problem categories as the below picture shows. Just tap on one of the categories to continue. Here we take iPhone Problems as an example, choose it and click Start Now button.

Choose iPhone Problems and Start Now

Choose iPhone Problems and Start Now

2. Choose one repair mode based on your situation. Normally, Standard Repair can fix the most common system issues and no data will be erased.

3. Then, you need to put iPhone into recovery mode. AnyFix will detect iPhone and tap the Download button to get a matching firmware.

Step 3. Start to Repair and Process Completed

1. Once firmware is downloaded, click Fix Now. AnyFix will repair your iOS device to normal automatically (do not disconnect your device until it restarts).

2. And when the recovery process is completed, you will see the completed page. Your iPhone problems will be fixed after the device restarted.

The Bottom Line

That’s all for how to fix AirPods won’t pair and AirPods won’t connect to iPhone/iPad issue. And AnyFix is a complete software that can help you with iPhone/iPad/iPod touch/Apple TV/iTunes problems. Just download it and fix the issues now. If you have further questions, please feel free to leave a comment, and we will help you out as soon as possible.

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Member of iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android related issues.

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