How to Pair AirPods to an iPhone

This wikiHow teaches you how to connect Apple's latest wireless headphones to your iPhone.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:
On an iPhone Running iOS 10.2 or More Recent

  1. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 1
    1
    Unlock your iPhone. Press the Home button using Touch ID or enter your passcode on the lock screen.
  2. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 2
    2
    Press the Home button. Doing so returns you to the home screen, if you weren't already there.
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  3. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 3
    3
    Hold the AirPods case next to your iPhone. The AirPods must be in the case and the lid closed.
  4. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 4
    4
    Open the lid on the AirPods case. A setup assistant will launch on your iPhone.
  5. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 5
    5
    Tap Connect. The pairing process will begin.
  6. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 6
    6
    Tap Done. Your iPhone is now paired with your AirPods.
    • If you're signed into iCloud, the AirPods will automatically be paired with any other devices running iOS 10.2 or higher and signed into iCloud with the same Apple ID.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:
On Other iPhones

  1. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 7
    1
    Hold the AirPods case next to your iPhone. The AirPods must be in the case and the lid closed.
  2. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 8
    2
    Open the lid on the AirPods case.
  3. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 9
    3
    Press and hold the "Setup" button. It's a small, round button on the back of the AirPods case. Hold the button until the status light flashes white.
  4. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 10
    4
    Open your iPhone's Settings. It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically located on your home screen.
  5. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 11
    5
    Tap Bluetooth. It's near the top of the menu.
  6. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 12
    6
    Slide "Bluetooth" to the "On" position. It will turn green.
  7. Image titled Pair AirPods to an iPhone Step 13
    7
    Tap AirPods. It will appear in the "OTHER DEVICES" section.
    • Once the AirPods are paired, they will appear in the "MY DEVICES" section of the menu.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    How do I disconnect AirPods?
    Community Answer
    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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About This Article

wikiHow Staff
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 49,821 times.
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Co-authors: 4
Updated: June 29, 2020
Views: 49,821
Categories: IPhone Headphones
Article SummaryX

1. Unlock your iPhone.
2. Press the Home button.
3. Hold the AirPods case next to the iPhone.
4. Open the lid on the AirPods case.
5. Tap Connect on your iPhone.
6. Tap Done.

Did this summary help you?
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