Did your left or right Airpods get missing, destroyed, or stolen? Then you might be needing a replacement Airpod that must have the same generation, model, and firmware version of the other Airpod or the charging case. This article explains how to pair a replacement AirPod in case you’ve done all you can (Even using the Find My app) to locate your missing Airpod, but you still can’t!
A replacement Airpod doesn’t just pair automatically like that with your existing Airpod, it requires some simple steps to pair your replacement Airpod so that both existing and new Airpods can sync together.
The same step is applicable for a new charging case, which can be paired with your Airpods just the same way.
A replacement Airpod cannot be compared to the wired earbuds since the two Airpods doesn’t connect in any physical way. Therefore, it is compulsory to pair a replacement Airpod to the existing one or a new charging case, it takes just a few seconds.
Once you’ve got your replacement AirPod in the charging case with your other AirPod, close the lid. Now, open the lid, long-press on the setup button, and put the case beside your iPhone with the AirPods still inside.
Your replacement Airpod and the existing one must be the same type of Airpod. It’s not possible to use or pair Airpod 2 and one Airpod Pro or Airpod 1 and Airpod 2. They must be of the same generation and type or else they won’t connect and pair together.
Follow through this guide to learn more about how to pair a replacement Airpod, reset Airpods after replacing one, how to set up AirPods and also how to pair a replacement Airpod and so on. Read on!
Replacement Prices for Various Airpods and Charging Cases
Below are the replacement prices for various AirPods and charging cases:
- AirPod (1st or 2nd Generation): $69 each
- AirPod Pro: $89 each
- AirPod Wireless Charging Case: $79
- AirPod Pro Charging Case: $99
- AirPod Charging Case: $59
You can visit Apple’s Get Support website to place an order for a replacement. In case you have your AirPods insured, contact your insurance company first to be aware of the different processes involved to follow.
How to Reset AirPods After Replacing One
Kindly note that once AirPods has been reset, you can’t track them again. Even though Apple has introduced their ‘Find My AirPods’ feature, just in case your AirPods get stolen, or you eventually locate them after they’ve been missing. You can only find it if they have not been reset. Here is our complete guide on how to reset Apple AirPods.
To pair a replacement AirPod to your existing AirPod, the first step requires you to reset the existing one to work with the new one. Resetting helps to change the old and new AirPods into a matched pair, and you can then go ahead to connect the AirPods to your iPhone.
Below is how to pair a replacement AirPod to an existing one:
- Place the existing AirPod and the replacement AirPod in your charging case, and ensure you close the lid (Ensure your charging case has at least a 30% charge remaining).
- Open the lid to check if the indicator light flashes amber color (In case the light doesn’t flash any color, ensure that the case is plugged in and charging.
- Remove the AirPods and place them back in place properly, fully inserted.
- Long-press on the setup button behind the case till the indicator light flashes white.
- On your iPhone, go to the Home screen.
- Open your AirPods case and put it very close to your iPhone.
- Ensure the AirPods remain fully positioned in the case.
- Wait for a few seconds to allow the setup animation to happen.
- Click on Connect.
- Click Skip.
- Click Not Now.
- Tap Done.
- That’s it!
After you’ve got a replacement Airpod, follow the steps above to use your AirPods together again.
How to Set up your AirPods or charging Case
The next step after resetting your replacement Airpod is to set up your AirPods or charging case. Follow the steps below to achieve that:
- On your Apple devices (Like iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch), navigate to Settings >> Bluetooth and click on the Information button, close to your AirPods.
- Click on Forget This Device.
- Select Forget Device, and click again to verify.
- Place both AirPods in their charging case.
- Open the lid and verify the status light, you should see a flash amber light.
- Long-press on the setup button behind the case for a few seconds, you should see a flash white light.
- Navigate to the Home Screen on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- Open the charging case with your AirPods properly placed inside and hold it close to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
- A setup animation will be displayed on your screen.
- Click on Connect.
- Tap Done.
- That’s it!
You have successfully set up your AirPods or charging case.
How to Pair a replacement AirPod or charging case
Do you have a replacement AirPod, AirPod Pro, or a charging case? Then, the process of pairing everything together is the same. Follow the steps below to pair a replacement Airpod:
- Return both AirPods into the charging case and open the lid.
- Once the status light flashes amber, it simply shows the AirPods aren’t paired.
- Long-press on the Setup button till the status light flashes white.
- If the steps above worked, place your iPhone next to the AirPods and navigate to the Home screen to initiate a connection animation to be displayed.
- Click on Connect on your iPhone to make use of your AirPods again.
- Enjoy!
In case the status light does not change from amber to white, connect the charging case to a power source, close the lid, and wait for about 20 minutes. Then open the lid and long-press on the setup button again for 15-30 seconds till the status light flashes white.
Kindly note that AirPods take 3-4 charging cycles to reach their full battery potential after you initially connect them.
According to Apple, this is all you need to pair a replacement AirPod, however, many users say the process above doesn’t work for them and the status light doesn’t flash white to signify that the AirPods have been paired.
How to sync two different AirPods
Here’s how to connect two different AirPods to a phone, follow the step below:
- Start by connecting the first pair of AirPods to your iPhone.
- Open the Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top right corner of the Home Screen.
- Now, you are ready to connect the second pair of AirPods.
- Once your second pair of AirPods is displayed on the screen, click on Share Audio.
How to find a missing AirPod in your House
Are you using AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max? Whichever model you are using, you need to set up the Find My [device] with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that you’re using. Find My [device] app can assist you in locating your missing AirPod. Follow the simple steps below:
- Open the Find My [device] app.
- Choose the Devices tab.
- Select your AirPods from the available list.
- Click on Play Sound.
- That’s it! You will get a sound alarm from wherever your AirPod is lying fallow.
Can’t Pair a Replacement AirPod? Try these Fixes!
It could be very annoying to lose an AirPod but nothing can be more frustrating when you can’t get the replacement AirpPod to pair with your existing set.
Most times, this could be due to a minor software issue that can be fixed by following the steps below. To pair a replacement AirPod, AirPod Pro, or charging case again, follow each of the steps below:
Forget your AirPods from the Bluetooth Settings
Your iPhone may recognize each AirPod as coming from a different set entirely. You can always fix this by removing both AirPods from your Bluetooth settings. Follow the easy steps below:
- Go to Settings >> Bluetooth on your iPhone.
- Tap on the i button beside your AirPods, and select Forget This Device.
- In case there are multiple AirPods, click on i to forget each of them.
- That’s it!
Update your iPhone software
Outdated iPhone software can stop your replacement AirPod from connecting to the existing AirPod or charging case. Follow the steps below to update the software on your iPhone:
- First, connect your iPhone to a reliable Wi-Fi network and navigate to Settings >> General >> Software Update to search for new updates.
- Download and install any available updates.
- That’s it! You have successfully updated your iPhone software.
Update your AirPods’ firmware
Ensure that the firmware matches across both AirPods, if not, they might not be able to communicate with one another properly. You can fix this issue by initiating a firmware update by using the charging case. Follow the steps below:
- Place both AirPods in the case and close the lid.
- Using a Lightning cable, connect your AirPods case to power.
- Place your iPhone nearby (about four inches) so that the AirPods can download new firmware over the Internet.
- Wait for about 30 minutes. Ensure you do not open the case, remove the cable, or remove the iPhone during this period.
- That’s it!
Pair your AirPods one at a time
Some users can successfully pair their AirPods one at a time. This technique is a bit complex, and you may have to repeat it many times before you can make it work, but it’s worth trying anyway. Follow the steps below:
- Place one AirPod in your ear and return the other inside case.
- With the lid open, long-press on the Setup button till the status light flashes white.
- Switch the AirPods around and try pairing the other one.
- After pairing each AirPod one at a time, return both of them into the case and try pairing a final time by long-pressing on the Setup button again.
- In case, this doesn’t work, navigate to the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone to forget both AirPods, then try pairing them together again.
- This should work, but in case it doesn’t simply try the next fix below.
Disconnect your AirPods and leave them Plugged in
Some users found that disengaging their AirPods before initiating a firmware update fixed their pairing issues. Try it yourself by following the steps below:
- Go to Settings >> Bluetooth on your iPhone.
- Click on the i button close to your AirPods, then choose to Forget This Device.
- In case there are multiple AirPods, click i to forget each of them.
- Place both AirPods to the charging case again and close the lid.
- Using a Lightning cable, connect your charging case to power and leave it plugged in next to your iPhone for about an hour.
Forget both AirPods before returning them to the charging case to update and pair again.
AirPods seemed to Pair but only Play Sounds via one Ear
If this is what you are experiencing, when AirPods seemed to pair but only play sounds through one ear, then there might another problem at play. Many other software errors result in hearing the sound only via one of your AirPods. Try the steps below to fix it:
- Disconnect the AirPods from your mobile device.
- Place your AirPods in the charging case and leave it closed for about 30 seconds.
- Open the charging case.
- Long-press on the setup button till the indicator light flashes amber.
- Now, reconnect your AirPods to your mobile device.
- That’s it! You should be able to pair a replacement Airpod now without any hassle.
Factory reset your AirPods
Another effective way to fix the problem of can’t pair a replacement AirPod is to Factory Reset your Apple AirPods. Follow the steps below:
- Long-press on the setup button for at least 15 seconds.
- Keep holding the button till the status light begins to flash amber a few times then wait till it flashes white.
- Now, your AirPods have been fully reset.
- You will need to re-pair your AirPods to your devices to use them again.
- Go back to the steps on how to pair a replacement AirPod above.
In case you still can’t pair your AirPod, AirPod Pro, or charging case after trying all the fixes stated above, you might need to contact Apple again for assistance about getting a replacement Airpod for the one you got earlier.
The replacement may however have the latest firmware stopping the connection. If this is the case, you will need to mail in your AirPods for repair or take them to an Apple Store nearby.
I hope this article was constructive enough and it has helped you to pair a replacement AirPod without any hassle and troubleshoot any problem causing the Airpods flashing white light status.
Kindly let us know in the comment section below how this post has helped you o pair a replacement AirPod. Thanks for reading thus far. Stay tuned for more informative articles.