Apple’s AirPods have become an indispensable accessory for many, offering wireless convenience and superior audio quality. However, with their compact size, it’s easy to misplace or lose the AirPods case that houses these coveted earbuds. The resulting frustration is something many AirPods users can relate to. Fortunately, the question arises: Can you track AirPods cases? In this article, we delve into the various methods and technologies available to help you locate your misplaced or lost AirPods case, ensuring that you can enjoy your wireless audio experience without the constant worry of losing your essential accessory.
Can You Track AirPods Case?
Yes, you can track your AirPods case using Apple’s built-in tracking features. If you have enabled Find My iPhone and connected your AirPods case to your iCloud account, you can use the Find My app to locate it on a map. Additionally, some third-party tracking devices and apps are compatible with AirPods cases, offering an extra layer of security against loss. However, it’s essential to act quickly if you’ve misplaced your case to increase your chances of finding it.
How To Use Find My iPhone To Locate AirPods Cases?
To use Find My iPhone to locate your AirPods case, follow these steps:
Ensure AirPods Are Paired: To use the Find My iPhone feature for your AirPods case, you must ensure that your AirPods are correctly paired with your iPhone or another Apple device signed in with your iCloud account. This connection is crucial for tracking your AirPods and their case.
Open the Find My App: On your iOS device, open the “Find My” app. This app is typically pre-installed on Apple devices, so you should find it in your app list. If you can’t locate it, you can also access the Find My feature through the iCloud website (icloud.com/find) using a web browser on a computer.
Sign In to iCloud: If you still need to be signed in, you’ll be prompted to enter your Apple ID and password. Make sure to use the same iCloud account that your AirPods are associated with.
Locate Your AirPods Case: Once you’re signed in, the Find My app will display a map with the last known location of all your paired Apple devices, including your AirPods and their case. If your AirPods and their case are currently within Bluetooth range (approximately 30-40 feet or 10-12 meters), you’ll see their location marked on the map. If they’re not within Bluetooth range, the app will display their last known location.
Tap on Your AirPods Case: Locate the icon representing your or their case on the map, then tap on it. This action will open a card at the bottom of the screen, providing more details about your AirPods and case.
Use “Play Sound” or “Directions”: If your AirPods and their case are nearby but you can’t see them, you can tap the “Play Sound” button on the card. This will make your AirPods emit a loud, distinctive sound to help you locate them. If they are further away, you can use the “Directions” feature, which provides navigational instructions to their last known location.
Mark as Lost: If you believe your AirPods case is genuinely lost and you want to take additional measures, you can activate the “Mark as Lost” feature. This allows you to input a contact phone number displayed on the device’s screen when someone finds your lost case and tries to connect it.
Check Battery Status: The Find My app also provides information about the battery status of your AirPods and their case. This helps you assess how much time you have to locate them before their batteries run out.
Built-in Features For Tracking
The built-in features for tracking AirPods cases primarily rely on Apple’s ecosystem and the integration of AirPods with your iCloud account. Here are the key built-in tracking features:
Find My iPhone and Find My App:
AirPods cases can be tracked using the “Find My iPhone” or “Find My” app on your iOS device. This feature is available for devices running iOS 10.3 or later. It allows you to locate not only your iPhone but also your AirPods and their case if they are paired with your iCloud account.
Location Tracking via Bluetooth:
Your AirPods and their case use Bluetooth to connect to your iPhone or another Apple device. This connection also enables location tracking. When your AirPods and case are within Bluetooth range (approximately 30-40 feet or 10-12 meters), their location is displayed on a map in the Find My app.
Play Sound Feature:
If your AirPods case is nearby, but you can’t see it, you can use the “Play Sound” feature within the Find My app. This function makes your AirPods emit a loud, distinctive sound, helping you locate them. It’s beneficial when they’re buried in couch cushions or hidden in a bag.
Directions to the Last Known Location:
The “Directions” feature in the Find My app provides navigational instructions to the last known location of your AirPods and their case. This can be helpful if you suspect you left them somewhere but are unsure of the exact spot.
Battery Status Indicator:
The Find My app also provides information on the battery status of your AirPods and their case. This helps you gauge how much time you have to locate them before their batteries run out.
Mark as Lost:
If you believe your AirPods case is genuinely lost, you can activate the “Mark as Lost” feature through the app. This allows you to input a contact phone number displayed on the device’s screen if someone finds your lost case and tries to connect it.
How Do These Devices Work?
Devices like Tile and Chipolo work as Bluetooth trackers that help you locate misplaced items, including AirPods cases. Here’s a detailed explanation of how these devices work:
Tile and Chipolo trackers utilize Bluetooth technology to establish a connection between your smartphone and the tracker. When you attach a Tile or Chipolo device to your AirPods case, it creates a Bluetooth link.
To use these devices, you must download and install the respective apps for Tile or Chipolo on your smartphone. These apps act as the control centers for your Bluetooth trackers.
These trackers work based on proximity. When your AirPods case and the attached tracker are within the Bluetooth range of your smartphone (typically about 100-200 feet or 30-60 meters), they communicate with each other. The tracker sends its location data to your smartphone via the app.
Tile and Chipolo trackers also allow for two-way communication. If you misplace your AirPods case, you can use the app to send a signal to the tracker, causing it to emit a loud ring or beep. This sound helps you pinpoint the location of your lost case.
Tile, in particular, has a vast network of users. If your AirPods case goes out of range from your smartphone but it’s within range of another Tile user’s smartphone with the Tile app, that user’s device can anonymously detect your tracker and relay its location to your app, helping you track it even when it’s far from you.
Some premium versions of these trackers, like Tile Premium, offer additional features such as location history and Smart Alerts. Location history lets you see where your AirPods case has been over time, while Smart Alerts notify you if you’ve left your case behind.
Tile has a feature called “Crowd Find” that leverages the entire Tile user community. If you mark your Tile as lost, other Tile users’ devices can anonymously detect your tracker and update its location, increasing your chances of finding your AirPods case.
FAQ’s
Can I track my AirPods case using Find My iPhone?
Yes, you can track your AirPods case using the Find My iPhone or Find My app on your iOS device. If your AirPods and their case are paired with your iCloud account and within Bluetooth range, you can locate them on a map and even make them play a sound for easier retrieval.
What if my AirPods case is out of Bluetooth range?
If your AirPods case is out of Bluetooth range, the Find My app will display its last known location. It’s essential to act quickly to increase your chances of finding it once it reconnects to the internet.
Can I track my AirPods case if it’s offline?
If your AirPods case is offline (not connected to the internet), the Find My app will display the last known location when it was online. However, you can track it in real-time once it reconnects to the internet.
