Losing an Airpods can be frustrating. But then, have you tried using the find my app to locate it before getting another one? Perhaps that is why you are here looking to figure out how to connect replacement Airpods.
Locating it might lead you to an endless loop most especially if the AirPods are dead or it is being a while since you found it.
While this is usually the case for most people, getting a replacement Airpods might be your next best alternative
You can simply get the single Airpods replacement instead of paying for the whole AirPods case and Airpods Pair again.
If you have gotten the case by mistake here is how much you could have spent your cash if you just got the replacement Airpods for your AirPods model
- AirPods Pro: $89 each
- Wireless AirPods Pro Charging Case: $99
- MagSafe AirPods Pro Charging Case: $99
- AirPods (1st, 2nd, or 3rd Generation): $69 each
- AirPods Wireless Charging Case: $79
- MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods: $79
- AirPods Charging Case: $59
Since you are aware of all these, let us delve into how to connect Replacement Airpods with some working methods
How to connect Replacement Airpods (gen 1 & 2)
If you’ve just gotten a replacement Airpods may be due to your Airpods dropping in water. and you are left with no choice but to get one which you have done.
How then do you connect it with the case so that you will be able to pair it with your smartphone?
Recommended: What you should do when you drop your Airpods in the Water
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Now tap Bluetooth.
- Locate your AirPods from the list of connected devices.
- Tap the I next to the “Airpods” icon.
- Now, tap Forget This Device.
- If you see the pop-up menu again, tap Forget Device.
- Now, tap the prompt again to confirm.
- Place both AirPods in the charging case.
- Open the lid and make sure that the status light is flashing amber.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light begins flashing white.
- Unlock your iPhone or iPad and make sure that you are on the Home Screen.
- Make sure that both AirPods are still in the case, and open the case lid.
- Tap Connect when prompted.
- Tap Done.
How to connect Replacement Airpods Pro
While AirPods might be slightly different from the Apple Airpods, there isn’t much difference in how to connect replacement Airpods Pro.
Anyway, to be double sure that you are doing the right thing. Follow the steps below closely if you have a replacement Airpods pro that you are trying to connect
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate and tap Bluetooth.
- Locate your AirPods Pro from the list of connected devices.
- Tap the I next to the “Airpods pro” icon.
- Next, tap Forget This Device.
- If you see the pop-up menu again, tap Forget Device.
- Once again, tap the prompt to confirm.
- Place both AirPods Pro in the charging case while ensuring the lid is open
- Make sure that the status light is flashing amber too.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light begins flashing white.
- Unlock your iPhone or iPad and make sure that you are on the Home Screen.
- Make sure that both AirPods are still in the case, and open the case lid.
- Tap Connect when prompted.
- Tap Done.
How to connect replacement AirPods 3rd generation
Airpods 3 has similar features to the AirPods Pro. However, that doesn’t make them compatible instead they share similar default settings and features.
Connecting a replacement Airpods pro and how to connect replacement Airpods 3rd generation follows the same process and here is how to go about it
- Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate and tap Bluetooth.
- Locate your AirPods Pro from the list of connected devices.
- Tap the I next to the “Airpods pro” icon.
- Next, tap Forget This Device.
- If you see the pop-up menu again, tap Forget Device.
- Once again, tap the prompt to confirm.
- Place both AirPods Pro in the charging case while ensuring the lid is open
- Make sure that the status light is flashing amber too.
- Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light begins flashing white.
- Unlock your iPhone or iPad and make sure that you are on the Home Screen.
- Make sure that both AirPods are still in the case, and open the case lid.
- Tap Connect when prompted.
- Tap Done.
How to connect replacement Airpods (Second Method)
If none of the above methods is working, and you are still stuck with your replacement Airpods pro or Airpods you should follow these steps highlighted below to get them working in no time
- Place one Airpods aside and put the other one in the case
- While the lid is open, hold the Setup button until the status light flashes white.
- After doing that, Exchange the AirPods and try pairing the replacement Airpods.
- Once both have been paired separately, insert them inside the case and pair them together by holding the Setup button again.
- If you are having any challenges these times, forget any Airpods connected to your phone Bluetooth and pair them again with your smartphone.
Replacement Airpods not pairing
After trying to pair your replacement AirPods there seems to be no positive outcomes, Firstly you need to ensure the battery is not low by charging it for a few minutes before repeating the pairing procedure.
If they are charged. Here are what you should do before trying to repair them
Update your iPhone software
It is very possible for outdated iOS to affect the pairing process since updates are made to take care of Bugs and security loopholes in an operating system.
And as such it could be one of the reasons why you are stuck with pairing your replacement Airpods.
Since that could be a possible scenario here is how to update your iOS
- Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update
- Now search for new updates
- Download and install any available updates.
Update your AirPods’ firmware
This exactly is a huge determinant of why one replacement Airpods will struggle to connect with the second real Airpods.
In most cases, it could be due to the difference in the firmware version of these Airpods which would require you to update the firmware version of both AirPods.
That said, here is how you should do it
- Place both AirPods in the case and close the lid.
- Connect your AirPods case to a power source.
- Now, bring your iPhone close to the Airpods to enable the Airpods to download the new firmware over the Internet.
- Be patient for half an hour and ensure that the case is closed
- After 40 minutes, try repairing both Airpods again.
How to connect one Airpods if you lost one
If you are faced with such a scenario, All you have to do is connect the Airpods the way you have been connecting them.
You shouldn’t face any issue connecting the single Airpods since it is not a replacement Airpods.
However, if you are having any issues connecting it.
Follow the steps below.
- Open your AirPods case.
- Remove the AirPods
- Place one AirPods in your ear.
- Your phone should automatically pair to the singular AirPods in your ear.
Can you pair Airpods with a different case?
You can pair your Airpods cases with a different case provided it is compatible with each other.
What that means is they must be of the same model or in the same category. Eg (Gen 1 and Gen 1 or Gen 1 and Gen 2)
The same also applies to the Airpods Pro and AirPods.
How long does it take for your Airpods to charge
Charging the Airpods using the Airpods case will take 20 -30 minutes before the Airpods get filled up.
However, if you are charging the case, it can take 2 – 3 hours provided you are using a Qi-certified charger.
You can check the list below for more detailed information on that
- AirPods (1st generation): around 30 minutes to an hour
- AirPods (2nd generation): about 45 minutes to an hour
- AirPods Pro and AirPods (3rd generation): one hour to two hours
Conclusion
By now you should have figured out how to connect replacement Airpods if you are having an issue with it.
That being said, if none of the steps above works, then you need to contact Apple support to get to resolve it.