Can you ping airpods while in case

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Apple provides more than one way for AirPods users to track and locate their lost or stolen earbuds, but the same is not possible with the case.

AirPods Pro with case magnifying glass and question mark over Google maps

Apple provides AirPods owners with more than one way to track and find their missing wireless earbuds, but only under certain conditions. Although pinpointing the particular location of the earbuds themselves is possible, doing the same for its charging case is another story. In 2019, Apple introduced consumers to two new AirPods models and although there are differences between them, there's not when it comes to tracking.

The second-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro came with a proprietary system-in-a-package equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 and Apple's new H1 chip. This gave Apple's ubiquitous headphones improved latency and even better performance. However, these notable upgrades don't necessarily make them any less prone to ending up in places where they shouldn't. As all AirPods share a completely wireless design, that makes misplacing them a common occurrence.

Apple provides AirPods users with the option to track their lost earbuds through either an iPhone app or any web browser. Using Apple's Find My app or visiting the iCloud website, users can see the last known location on a map. If separated, it's impossible to track both AirPods earbuds at the same time, though. If users want to locate the second earpiece after finding the first, they will need to put the found one in the case and then refresh the map so that it updates with the location of the one that's still missing. The question now is, how can this be done if both buds were lost while they're still charging inside their case?

Tracking A Lost AirPods Case Is Not Possible

missing airpod

While there are fixes for many AirPod problems, there isn't much of a solution for a missing charging case. Simply put, Apple states that, as long as the earbuds are inside their respective charging case, users won't be able to see the location of their missing AirPods or AirPods Pro devices. The only AirPods model that can be located when still inside its case is the larger, headphones variant, the AirPods Max.

The reason earbuds can be tracked and not the case comes down to the design. AirPods are equipped with sensors that help Apple triangulate their location on the map. In contrast, the charging case only holds extra battery and additional components needed for wireless charging, and neither help in determining location. Furthermore, AirPod features are basically disabled the moment they're placed inside their case, which makes identifying their location even more unlikely than when the earbuds and the case are separated from each other. Of course, one possible solution is to buy an AirTag tracker and somehow attach that to the case, as this will then allow the AirTag to be tracked even when Apple's AirPods case can't.

Next: Does AppleCare+ Cover Lost Or Stolen AirPods?

Source: Apple

You can use the Find My tool on iOS, iPadOS devices, and Mac or try playing a sound to locate missing AirPods

Updated on October 7, 2022

What to Know

  • On your iOS device, tap Find My > Devices > tap your AirPods. Their current location will appear on a map.
  • Sign in to iCloud.com, select Find iPhone > All Devices and choose your AirPods. Or launch Find My on a Mac.

This article explains four different ways to find lost AirPods. Instructions apply to both AirPods and AirPods Pro and iOS devices with iOS 10.3 and higher.

How to Find Lost AirPods on iOS and iPadOS Devices

Here's how to find your lost AirPods using your iPhone or another iOS or iPadOS device with Find My enabled.

The Find My feature must be enabled on your iOS device before you lose your AirPods. There's no way to turn it on after you've lost a device. When you set up Find My on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, the feature is automatically enabled for your AirPods, too. 

  1. Open the pre-installed Find My app on your iOS device and tap Devices.

  2. Scroll through your list of devices and tap your AirPods.

  3. You'll see your AirPods plotted on a map in their current location or last known location. Tap Directions to get driving directions in Apple Maps to their location.

    If the lost AirPods can't be found, you'll see No Location Found (more on this below).

    If your AirPods aren't in the same place, the map will only show one of them at a time. Find the AirPod shown on the map and put back in the case. Then, refresh the map, and the map will show the other AirPod to help you find it.

How to Find Lost AirPods Using iCloud

Don't have an iOS device handy? Locate your lost AirPods from a computer using iCloud by following these steps:

  1. Go to iCloud and sign in with your Apple ID.

  2. Tap Find iPhone.

  3. Choose All Devices. (You may be required to sign in again.)

  4. Choose your AirPods.

  5. The current, or last known, location of your AirPods is plotted on a map.

    You can also use the Find My application installed on your Mac to find your AirPods. Launch the app, tap your AirPods, and view their location on a map.

How to Find Your AirPods on a Mac

You can also use the Find My application installed on your Mac to find your AirPods.

  1. Launch Find My on Your Mac through Spotlight Search, Launchpad, or your applications folder.

  2. Tap Devices.

  3. Tap your AirPods. You'll see their location on a map.

How to Make Lost AirPods Play a Sound

If your lost AirPods are near any of your Apple devices and connected to Bluetooth, you can play a sound to help find them. Here's how:

  1. In either the Find My app (on iOS and iPadOS devices or on a Mac) or in the Find iPhone section of iCloud, choose your AirPods.

  2. On iOS, tap Devices > [your AirPods] > Play Sound.

  3. On iCloud, select All Devices > [your AirPods] > Play Sound.

  4. In the Find My app on a Mac, tap your AirPods on the map and then tap Play Sound.

  5. A sound will play from your AirPods to help you locate them if they're nearby. You can choose to play the sound to either the Left or Right AirPod. Tap Stop to end the sound.

What to Do if You Can't Locate Lost AirPods

There are a few reasons why you'll get a No Location Found message when you're trying to find your lost AirPods.

If you didn't turn on Find My before your AirPods went missing, you won't be able to locate them. If your AirPods aren't charged, they won't be found until they're recharged. If they're out of range of your iOS device, they won't appear.

If you see the No Location Found message, you can't play a sound to find your AirPods, but you might be able to get directions to the location where they were last connected.

We hate to say it, but if all of this doesn't work, you might need to look at purchasing new AirPods. If you're over it with Apple, however, there are plenty of other great wireless earbuds on the market to get you back on track, too. If you've only lost one AirPod, you can buy a replacement from Apple and then connect the replacement AirPod.

FAQ

  • How do I find my AirPods case?

    If your AirPods aren't in your case, there's no precise way to find the case. You can do some sleuthing, however. Go to Find My > Devices and find your AirPods. Look for a green or grey light by the AirPods. Green means the case is near, while grey means it isn't.

  • Can I find my AirPods if they're in their case?

    If you have AirPods Max, you'll be able to see them in Find My for up to 18 hours while in their case.

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