How To Fix One Airpod Not Connecting To iPhone

Connecting an Apple airpod to Apple devices particularly iPhone device, regardless of the airpod model, is simple and easy via Bluetooth. The software as well as the hardware and its Bluetooth settings of the iOS device must be ready connecting Airpods to your iPhone. There have been several reports from Airpods users where they are having some issues connecting their Airpods to iPhone. In today’s troubleshooting guide, let us go through possible solutions that you can do in order to fix airpod not connecting to iPhone.

Fix One Airpod Not Connecting To iPhone

Apple airpod is considered to be one of the most popular wireless earbuds nowadays. It is simple, convenient to use and reliable. That is why when users encounter one airpod or both airpod not connection to iPhone, it can be a very frustrating experience. Not connecting to iPhone is a common problem that users may encounter with their Airpods, fortunately that are several solutions that you can do at home first before contacting an Apple support group.

There are possible why airpod is not connecting to your iPhone, these causes are as follows:

Airpod Battery empty

Since the airpod case is also its charging case, it it likely possible that the airpod does not connect to the iPhone because it simply run out of juice. Also, when charging case is also out of battery life, it cannot charge the airpod.

Problem with the iPhone device

When your iPhone is having some issus such as phone is damaged or is having hardware problems, it is also possible to be the cause of the connection issue between the airpod and the iPhone.

Issues with the Airpod

Damaged, dirty or hardware problems is another possible reason why you are having difficulty connecting your Airpod to an iPhone.

Devices out of Range

As mentioned, connecting an Airpod to an iPhone requires a Bluetooth connection. Bluetooth range must be within 33 feet or 10 meters.

Fix Airpod Not Connecting To iPhone

Try these troubleshooting solutions below to fix one airpod or both airpods not connecting to iPhone device.

Restart iPhone

The very first thing that you need to do in this case is to restart iPhone. This action refreshes the device and fixes software as well as firmware glitch that may have caused this problem to occur. The steps can vary depending on the iPhone model (with Face ID and without Face ID models)

To do this.

1. Press and hold Power button (for iPhone without Face ID) or press the side button and the volume button (For models with Face ID).
2. When “Slide to Power off”option appears on the screen, swipe from left to right using your finger to turn if OFF. iPhone will turn off.
3. After at least 30 seconds, turn back ON iphone but pressing the power button or the side button. When apple logo appears, release the button.
4. Wait for iPhone to completely reboot.

Connect your Airpod again and then check if airpod not connecting to an iPhone issue still occurs.

Make sure Bluetooth on iPhone is ON

Since other Bluetooth devices (apple watch, bluetooth headphones)) and airpods connect to iPhone via Bluetooth, it is possible that airpod is not connecting simply because the Bluetooth settings is not turned ON.

Turning ON Bluetooth can be done is 3 different ways: via settings app, via control center and with Siri

Turn ON Bluetooth via Settings app:

1. Tap Settings app on iPhone
2. Tap Bluetooth.
3. Toggle Bluetooth ON by tapping on the gray button. When it is green, it means it is already turned on.

Turn on Bluetooth via contol center (sTEPS VARY DEPENDING ON IPHONE MODEL)

1. Swipe up from the bottom (without Face ID) or swipe down from the upper right corner (with Face ID model) to reveal control center.
2. Once in Control center, tap the Bluetooth icon. Bluetooth is already enabled if the Bluetooth icon is highlighted in Blue color.

Turn on Bluetooth using siri

1. Open siri by either pressing and holding the Home button or the side button. Or you can alternatively say “Hey Siri”
2. Then simply say “Turn on Bluetooth”. Siri will automatically turn Bluetooth ON.

Connect your Airpod again and then check if airpod not connecting to an iPhone issue still occurs.

Restart Bluetooth

If Bluetooth is already enabled and still airpods won’t connect, try to restart Bluetooth settings.

To do this:

1. Open settings app
2. Tap Bluetooth menu
3. Toggle Bluetoot OFF
4. Wait for a few seconds, toggle ON Bluetooth settings.

Connect your Airpod again and then check if airpod not connecting to an iPhone issue still occurs.

Update iPhone to the latest version

Updating iPhone’s software to the latest operating system version not only provide users with the enhanced security update and latest features but also fixes bugs that may be the cause of not being able to connect to airpods or other bluetooth devices.

To do this:

1. Open iPhone Settings app
2. Scroll down and tap General
3. Tap Software Update
4. iPhone will automatically check for available updates. When a new version is avaialble for update, tap download and install.
5. When prompted, enter phone passcode.
6. Wait for update process to complete.
7. Once update is done, iPhone will automatically restarts. Wait for iPhone to completely reboot.

Connect to your iPhone again and then check if airpod not connecting to an iPhone issue still occurs.

Set up Airpods again

Before Airpods can connect to an iPhone device, the airpods need to be set up first. Generally, one of Airpods great feature is its ability to automatically connects to an iPhone device one the Airpod charging case is opened.

Set up Airpods to iPhone:

1. Make sure iPhone is unlock.
2. Open Airpods charging case. Make sure both airpods are inside the charging case.
3. Place airpods beside iPhone, or make sure both devices are closer to each other.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions or the setup button to set up Airpods to iPhone.
5. Tap Connect option
6. Tap Done to confirm.

Connect your Airpod again and then check if airpod not connecting to an iPhone issue still occurs.

Charge Airpods

Another solution that you can do to fix airpods connection issues is to charge airpods device. It is likely possible that airpods cannot connect to your iPhone because it is low on battery. Recharge airpods first and then connect again to see if the issue still persists.

To charge airpods:

1. Place both airpods inside its charging case
2. Status light indicates that airpods is charging

Status light colors and its meaning:

• Green: Airpods fully charged
• Amber: one of the airpods is not yet fully charge.
• Flashing white: ready to be to connected to iPhone device or other Bluetooth devices.

Status light location for different Airpod models:

• Airpods and Airpods 2nd gen: status light is inside the charging case (in between slots of the earbuds)
• Airpods 3rd gen, Airpods Pro and Airpods Pro 2: Status light is located in front of its charging case.

Charge Charging Case

A battery empty charging case cannot charge an Airpod. When an airpod is not charged, it cannot be detected from the Bluetooth setings of the iPhone. Therefore, make sure to charge charging case. It is recommended to use the original lightning cable that comes with the airpod. Using a genuine product ensure fast charging of the case.

To do this:

1. Using the lightning cable, plug it into that lighting usb port of the Airpod charging case.
2. Plug the other end of the lightning cable to a wall charger or USB port adapter plug into a wall outlet.
3. Wait for charging case to fully charge.

Clean Airpods and Charging case

A dirty airpods and charging case is not actually the cause for airpods not connecting but it can also be a fix since dirt and dust prevents the airpods from charging completely. A drained battery of airpod and charging case, as mentioned, may be the cause for it to not connect to the iPhone.

Here’s how to do external cleaning of airpod case:

1. Using a cotton swab or a Qtip, dip it in 70% isopropyl alcohol.
2. Gently rub the dirty areas of the case using the swab. You can use a clean toothpick to remove remaining dirt on the lines of the case.
3. Using a clean tissue paper or a paper towl, wipe the case to dry.

Here’s how to do internal cleaning of airpod case:

1. Using a soft bristled toothbrush, gently clean the charging port.
2. Use a periodontal brush to clean internal contact points of the airpods case. Regular straw cleaner will do if no periodontal brush is at hand.

The recommended cleaning materials to clean airpods and charging case are as follows: Microfiber cloth (lint-free cloth), Qtip or a periodontal brush and 70% isopropyl alcohol (optional) or clean water

Reset Network settings

When an iPhone is connected to a Bluetooth device and or a WiFi, the information is saved and iPhone will automatically be connected. If there are connection issues, iPhone is unable to connect to WiFi or other bluetooth devices. Try to reset network settings on your iPhone and then check if the problem still occurs.

To do this:

1. Open Settings app
2. Scroll down and tap General
3. Scroll down and Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone
4. Tap Reset
5. Tap Reset Network settings
6. When prompted, enter passcord
7. iPhone will reset and then restart on its own. Wait for reboot process to complete

Make sure Bluetooth devices are in range

When both the Apple Airpods and iPhone is not within the recommended Bluetooth range (33 feet), airpods won’t connect to your iPhone. It will only connect when you move the airpods and the iPhone closer to each other and should remain within the recommended range even when both devices are already connected.

Make sure pairing mode on Airpod is activated

Airpods won’t connect to an iPhone (or any Bluetooth device) if it is not placed in Pairing mode. That is why it is called as such “Pairing mode” because you will need to pair your Airpods to your iPhone.

To do this:

1. Place both airpods inside its charging case
2. Make sure the charging case lid is open.
3. Press and hold the setup button located at the back of the Charging case.
4. If status light flashes white, this means that Bluetooth pairing mode is already enabled.

Connect airpods to iPhone again and then check if airpods connections issue still occurs.

Make sure your Airpods is trying to connect to the correct device

There are instances when you are trying to connect your airpod or other Bluetooth device but there are more than one iPhone or iOS devices within range. It is possible that you thought you cannot connect to your iPhone because it connected to another iPhone or ipod touch device within range. Though, this rarely happens since most of the Bluetooth devices have names (usually names of owners). there are instances though that this scenario actually happens for some individuals.

To do this:

1. Open control center of your iPhone. Swipe up from the bottom (without Face ID model) or swipe down from the upper right corner (with Face ID model) to reveal control center.
2. Tap on the Audio Output button. It is usually located at the upper right corner on the Playing section. The icon appears to looks like a small triangle with 3 circles on top of it.
3. Tap on your Airpod. This will connect airpods to your iPhone.
4. If Airpod is not on the list, this means that it is out of the recommended Bluetooth range.

Reset Airpods

If none of the solutions mentioned did not fix airpods not connectiong to iPhone, there is a possibility that the problem is caused by a firmware on the airpods. This time, you may need to reset Airpods and bring it back to its factory defaults.

Reset a device, in this case, airpod can sometimes fix related issues with your airpods. You can do this if you we’re able to successfully connect your airpod to your iPhone before as this solution involves forgetting the device on your iPhone.

To do this:

1. Place Airpods back to airpod charging case
2. After 30 seconds, open the lid of airpods case
3. On your iPhone, tap on Settings. Tap on the name of your Airpod. Another way to access this is to tap on Settings then tap Bluetooth and then tap on the info icon next to Airpods.
4. Scroll down and tap Forget this device option.
5. Tap again to confirm action
6. While the airpod case is still open, press and hold the button for 15 seconds located at the back of the airpod charging case. Wait until amber status light flashing is seen. Ths location of the status light varies: for airpods case charges using wired connection, status light is usually located inside the case, while for wireless charging case, status light is located on the front portion of the case

Connect airpods to iPhone again and check if airpods won’t connect issue still occurs.

Bring Airpods to Apple store for repair

If after performing all the possible solutions to fix airpods won’t connect to iPhone, the last resort is to head over to an authorized apple store and have the Airpods checked by an Authorized technician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Connecting Airpod to iPhone is easy and simple. If you are having difficulties connecting an Airpod to an iPhone, there are possible solutions that you can try in order to fix it.

We hope ceratinly hope that after going through the solutions mentioned in this post, you are now able to connect airpods to your iPhone.