How to reset AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max
Reset any AirPods model with the correct button or case-tap sequence. Includes AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, older cases, AirPods Max and troubleshooting.
Choose the reset method for your AirPods
Apple uses two different reset controls for earbud-style AirPods. Cases for AirPods 1, 2 and 3 and AirPods Pro 1 and 2 have a physical setup button on the back. AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 cases use a touch sequence on the front instead.
AirPods Max have their own button combination. Before starting, charge the AirPods and case if possible. A low battery can prevent the status light from completing the reset sequence.
- Back setup button: AirPods 1, 2 and 3; AirPods Pro 1 and 2
- Three front-case double-taps: AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3
- Digital Crown plus listening mode button: AirPods Max
Reset AirPods 1, 2 or 3 and AirPods Pro 1 or 2
Place both AirPods in their charging case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds. If they still appear on an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, choose Bluetooth, tap the information button beside the AirPods and select Forget This Device. If they are not listed, continue anyway.
Open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds. Do not release it when the light first changes. The reset is complete when the status light flashes amber and then flashes white.
- Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds
- Forget the AirPods in Bluetooth settings when they are listed
- Open the case and hold the rear setup button for about 15 seconds
- Release after the light flashes amber, then white
- Keep the lid open and hold the case near the device to reconnect
Reset AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 3
Newer cases do not use the rear setup button. Put the earbuds in the case, close the lid for 30 seconds and forget the AirPods from the paired device's Bluetooth settings if they appear there. Then open the lid and leave the AirPods inside.
Double-tap the front of the case while the status light is on. Double-tap again when the light flashes white. When the light begins flashing faster, double-tap the front a third time. The reset finishes when the light flashes amber and then white.
- First double-tap: while the status light is on
- Second double-tap: when the light flashes white
- Third double-tap: when the white flashing becomes faster
- Success signal: amber flash followed by white
Restart or factory-reset AirPods Max
A restart is less disruptive than a factory reset and is worth trying first. Press and hold the listening mode button and Digital Crown together until the status light flashes amber, then release the buttons.
If restarting does not solve the problem, hold the same two controls for about 15 seconds. Keep holding after the amber flash and release only when the light flashes white. That resets AirPods Max to factory settings so they can be paired again.
- Restart: hold both controls until the light flashes amber
- Factory reset: hold both controls for about 15 seconds until amber, then white
- Reconnect from Bluetooth settings after the white flash
How to reconnect after the reset
For AirPods and AirPods Pro, keep the earbuds in the case with the lid open and hold the case close to an unlocked iPhone or iPad. Follow the setup card that appears. If no card appears, open Bluetooth settings and select the AirPods under available devices.
The same AirPods can pair with Android phones and Windows computers. Put them in pairing mode until the light flashes white, open the device's Bluetooth menu and select the AirPods. AirPods Max enter pairing mode when the listening mode button is held for about five seconds until the light flashes white.
What to do if the light never flashes white
Close the case for 20 seconds, reopen it and repeat the exact sequence for the model. Make sure both earbuds sit correctly in the case and are charging. Charge the case by cable before trying again if its light is dim or does not turn on.
If one AirPod is not detected, gently clean dry debris from the earbud stems and the case wells without using sharp objects or liquid inside the charging ports. Update the paired phone or computer, then try forgetting and resetting the AirPods again. Persistent charging or hardware problems may require Apple Support.
- Confirm both AirPods are seated and charging
- Charge the case before repeating the reset
- Use the rear-button method only on models that have that button
- Repeat the timed light sequence from the beginning
- Contact Apple Support if the controls or status light remain unresponsive
Resetting is not the same as removing Activation Lock
A factory reset clears pairing and custom settings, but it does not necessarily remove AirPods from the previous owner's Apple Account or Find My network. If you bought or received used AirPods, the former owner may need to remove them from Find My before you can fully associate them with your account.
The previous owner can open Find My, select Devices, choose the AirPods and tap Remove This Device. There is no legitimate reset-button shortcut around account ownership. For AirPods you are selling or giving away, remove them from your own Apple Account before handing them over.
What a factory reset changes
Resetting erases the current Bluetooth pairing and restores AirPods settings to their defaults. You may need to reconfigure controls, microphone preference, automatic ear detection, noise control and personalized audio features after reconnecting.
A reset does not manually install new firmware, repair physical damage or replace a failing battery. Apple says AirPods firmware updates occur automatically under the required charging and connection conditions; if updates remain stuck, Apple recommends resetting the AirPods and trying the update process again.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my AirPods reset successfully?
The status light flashes amber and then white. White indicates that the AirPods are ready to pair again.
Why is there no button on my AirPods case?
AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 cases use a three-stage double-tap sequence on the front instead of a physical setup button on the back.
Will resetting AirPods remove them from someone else's Apple Account?
Not necessarily. The previous owner must remove the AirPods from Find My and their Apple Account. A factory reset does not bypass account ownership.
Does resetting AirPods delete firmware updates?
No. A reset clears pairing and custom settings, but it does not roll firmware back to an older version.
Can I reset AirPods without an iPhone?
Yes. The case or headphone controls perform the reset. You can then pair the AirPods through Bluetooth on Android, Windows, Mac or another supported device.
Should I restart or reset AirPods Max first?
Try a restart first because it does not factory-reset settings. If the problem continues, use the longer 15-second hold until the light flashes amber and white.
Sources
Primary and official references used for this guide:
Published August 9, 2026 · Reviewed for clarity and source accuracy.