You know your AirPods might be stolen if they show up in your Find My app in an unusual location, someone else's name appears when connecting (if not reset), you get "left behind" alerts for no reason, or they appear in Lost Mode with a message. To check, use the Find My app to see their last location or activate Lost Mode; if you bought used, check the serial number or try resetting them to see if they connect to your device.
You can use Find My on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or on the web at iCloud.com/find to help you locate your AirPods if they're lost. You can also turn on separation alerts to warn you if you've left your AirPods behind, or mark them as lost if you can't find them.
Technically, stolen AirPods could be used by someone else, assuming the thief can pair them with another device. AirPods use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to other devices, so unless the AirPods have been locked by the original owner or removed from their iCloud account, they could be connected to another device.
You will not receive a notification. However, if someone connects to your AirPods, they won't have full control over them because they are still linked to your Apple ID. You will still be able to find them via Find My, and they will not.
You can buy a replacement for a left or right AirPod or the Charging Case. Your replacement will be new. AppleCare for Headphones does not cover lost or stolen AirPods.
Once someone resets your AirPods, they're completely removed from your iCloud, and tracking becomes impossible. AirPods do not have Activation Lock, which means they're easier to steal and reuse than other Apple devices. Lost Mode and Find My alerts only work before a reset, so act quickly if you lose them.
How far can AirPods be tracked? Because AirPods do not have Wi-Fi or GPS connectivity built-in, it's not possible to track them over long distances. Using Bluetooth when connected to another Apple device, you should be able to see their location from around 40 feet (10 meters).
The best thing you can do is take them to a nearby lost & found, front desk of a nearby building, or the local police authority. You will not be able to find the owner for privacy reasons, but the owner is able to track the AirPods so they know exactly where they are at.
AirPods are not designed to be disabled. They have no locking feature, no password.
You can contact the police, they should go there and let them know this is where they've been tracked too and there's proof.
Reset AirPods to factory settings
AirPods 1, 2, or 3, or AirPods Pro 1 or 2: Put the AirPods in their case, close the lid, then wait 30 seconds. Open the lid, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until the status light flashes amber, then white.
Unknown Accessory Detected
This alert will only be displayed if a set of AirPods, a Find My network accessory or compatible Bluetooth location-tracking device is detected near you, not an AirTag. These could be borrowed AirPods, or AirPods inadvertently left behind by a friend or family member.
If your AirPods are "Offline" or show "No location found"
You might be able to get directions to their last known location — but you won't be able to play a sound or use Find Nearby. If they come back online, you get a notification on your iPhone (or other Apple device that you use them with).
You can buy a replacement for a left or right AirPod or the Charging Case. Your replacement will be new. AppleCare+ for Headphones does not cover lost or stolen AirPods.
To disable stolen AirPods, use the Find My app to locate and mark them as lost. This prevents pairing with new devices. You can also remove the AirPods from your Apple ID to stop access. Reporting theft to Apple Support may help avoid unauthorized charges.
3. Find the AirPods from the connected device list and select them. 4. Choose the option to remove the AirPods from the iCloud account.
Follow the factory reset steps to clear all previous settings and data. How to factory reset AirPods without iphone? You can use the setup button on the charging case to reset your AirPods without an iPhone.
AirPods can also act like an AirTag, which happened to a North Carolina family traveling internationally when a pickpocketer stole the bag containing their passport and ID.... AirPods aren't just the best headphones.