Jump To:
- Quick steps
- Tools and requirements
- Step by step guide
- FAQs
- Final thoughts
Have you just reached into your pocket or bag only for your heart to sink when you realised that you've lost your AirPods case? If your AirPods are actually in your case, then use our 'How to find lost AirPods guide', which talks you through all the possible steps. This guide is for if you've lost your AirPods case and your AirPods aren't in it, because that can be very different.
Sadly, if you've lost your AirPods case without the earbuds in it, the only model you can use tech to locate is the case for AirPods Pro 2 – and we'll talk you through how to do that in a moment. Like most of the best wireless earbuds, all other models of AirPods have no wireless tech in the case, so the case can't tell your phone where it is. You can only find it the old-fashioned way.
So in this guide we'll tell AirPods Pro 2 owners how they can track their case down, and how you can replace the case on the other best AirPods models available today if you've truly lost it.
Steps for how to find an AirPods case
- Open the Find My app or sign in to iCloud
- Go to All Devices and select your AirPods case
- Either follow the map to the last location or play a sound
Tools and requirements for how to find an AirPods case
- AirPods Pro 2 [Note: this feature is only available to this model]
- An iOS device or computer with an internet connection
Step by step guide
How to find an AirPods case with the Find My App
(Image: © Future)
Before you can use the Find My app, which comes preinstalled on most iOS devices (above iOS 13), you need to make sure it is activated in Settings by toggling on the Find My Network. Once this is done you'll be all set to find your lost AirPods case.
Open the Find My app and go to Devices where you will see a list of all your connected Apple devices underneath a map with their locations pinned on the app with icons. Tap on your AirPods Pro 2, which should display a message underneath it saying 'outside of case' or how far away it is in miles.
This will take you to a new screen that shows only the case and each individual AirPod's (left and right) location on the map. By selecting the case, this will highlight it on the map for you and open a new screen of options where you can Play Sound, use Find to be literally pointed to towards them (if they're nearby and in Bluetooth range), or Mark As Lost.
How to find an AirPods case using iCloud
(Image: © Future)
If you don't have access to the Find My app, then you can also use a web browser to access it through iCloud. However, this method will not display your case separately; instead it is only useful if you have left at least one of your AirPods inside of it.
To do this, open a browser and search: icloud.com/find. Follow the sign-in prompts to access your iCloud account. Similar to the Find My app, you'll be taken to a screen with all of your connected devices on a map. Click on your AirPods Pro 2 from the list.
This will open a new screen with just your AirPods on the map. Click on the AirPods with the case inside of it and either follow the map's location to find it or play a sound if it's nearby.
How to find an AirPods case: FAQs
Is it worth marking your AirPods case as lost?
This is only worth doing with an AirPods Pro 2 case, and is only really worth it if you think you've lost it outside of your house and you have no idea where to look, really. When activated, whoever finds it will trigger a notification to be sent to you, via their phone, and will see some contact information for you (that you choose).
Can I buy a new AirPods case to replace my lost one?
You can – you won't find this option on Apple's regular store, but you can buy a replacement case through the Apple Support site or app. They cost from $59 / £59 / AU$99 for the AirPods 2nd Gen Lightning case up to $99 / £89 / AU$159 for the AirPods Pro 2 USB-C case – though these are Apple's "estimated" prices. When you enter serial details about your AirPods, you get the confirmed price.
• US Apple Store replacement case site
• UK Apple Store replacement case site
• Aus Apple Store replacement case site
How to find an AirPods case: Final thoughts
It's never nice to lose something, let alone the case to an expensive pair of one of the best earbuds you can buy. But hopefully this article has helped you to track it safely down. If you're looking for more helpful tips and tricks to get the most out of your AirPods, there's also a way to adjust the volume of the sound your AirPods Pro 2's case plays if you find it too noisy. For more audio guides, check out our how to page.
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Amelia Schwanke
Senior Editor UK, Home Entertainment
Amelia became the Senior Editor for Home Entertainment at TechRadar in the UK in April 2023. With a background of more than eight years in tech and finance publishing, she's now leading our coverage to bring you a fresh perspective on everything to do with TV and audio. When she's not tinkering with the latest gadgets and gizmos in the ever-evolving world of home entertainment, you’ll find her watching movies, taking pictures and travelling.
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