X
Tech
Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

Close

How to reset AirPods on an iPhone

Whether you are dealing with an issue or preparing to sell them, resetting AirPods can be quite beneficial. Here's a step-by-step explanation to restore your AirPods to working condition.
Written by Josh Slate, Contributor

You're jamming out to your favorite song, but your AirPods suddenly disconnect and won't reconnect to your phone. A reset might be what you need. 

As someone who uses their AirPods Pro every day, this was an essential skill I needed to learn. I discovered that resetting these wireless earbuds is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, it only takes two minutes.

How to reset AirPods

    Airpods case leaning against a red wall
    ZDNet
  1. Place your AirPods inside the charging case and close the top for 30 seconds. Doing this will restart your AirPods and prepare them to be reset. 
  2. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  3. Screenshots of Airpods settings on an iPhone
    ZDNet
  4. From Settings, tap Bluetooth.
  5. In the Bluetooth menu, find your AirPods and hit the blue "i" located on the right side.
  6. At the bottom of this menu, you will find "Forget this Device."
  7. iPhone screenshot of settings to reset AirPods
    ZDNet
  8. When you hit "Forget this Device," another option will pop up. Hit "Forget Device," which is in red font.
  9. Open AirPods case with AirPods inside leaning against a red wall
    ZDNet
  10. Next, pick up your AirPods case and open the lid.
  11. Photo of two different sizes of AirPods cases
    Apple
  12. On the back of the case you will notice the Setup button. Press and hold that for 15 seconds, or until the light on the front changes from amber to white.
  13. iPhone screenshot of settings to pair AirPods
  14. Open the AirPods case near the device you want to pair them with; the setup screen should automatically appear.

That's all it takes. To find the best deals on AirPods, check out ZDNet's roundup of where to find the cheapest pair of Apple earbuds.

Editorial standards