How to Connect AirPods to a New Phone

The fastest way to reconnect your AirPods

If your AirPods were already paired to an Apple device, connecting them to a new iPhone or iPad is usually automatic. Open the AirPods case near your new phone, and a setup screen appears within seconds — tap "Connect" and you're done. The AirPods remember your Apple ID and pull your settings from iCloud, so volume levels, automatic ear detection, and which device they switch to all transfer over.

If you're switching from Android or a non-Apple device, or if your AirPods have never been paired before, the process takes a few extra steps. You'll need to put the AirPods into pairing mode, then find them in your phone's Bluetooth settings. This takes about two minutes total.

Key Takeaways

AirPods paired to an Apple ID automatically show a setup screen when you open the case near a new iPhone or iPad — just tap "Connect" to restore them.
If the automatic setup screen doesn't appear, hold the button on the back of the AirPods case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, then select them in Bluetooth settings.
Connecting AirPods to Android requires manual Bluetooth pairing and does not restore settings like noise cancellation preferences from your previous device.
You can pair the same AirPods to multiple devices, and they will switch automatically when you use them with different phones or tablets.

Connecting to a new iPhone or iPad automatically

Open your AirPods case and hold it a few inches from your new iPhone or iPad. A white setup card should appear on your screen within a few seconds. Tap "Connect" on that card, then tap "Done" when the pairing finishes. Your AirPods are now connected and your settings have synced from iCloud.

This automatic method works only if your AirPods were previously paired to an Apple device under the same Apple ID. If you're using a different Apple ID on the new phone, or if you've never set up these AirPods before, the setup card won't appear and you'll need to pair them manually instead.

Manual pairing when the setup screen doesn't appear

If no setup card appears after opening the case, your AirPods need to be put into pairing mode. Hold the small button on the back of the AirPods case for about 15 seconds. The light inside the case will flash white — this means the AirPods are ready to pair with any device.

On your phone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on if it's off. Wait a few seconds and your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices. Tap the AirPods name to connect. Once connected, you can close the case and your AirPods will stay paired to that phone.

If your AirPods don't appear in the Bluetooth list after 30 seconds, hold the back button for another 15 seconds to reset them, then try again. Make sure your phone's Bluetooth is on and no other device is actively trying to pair with the AirPods at the same time.

Connecting AirPods to an Android phone

AirPods work with Android devices, but the connection process is manual and some features don't carry over. Put your AirPods into pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white. On your Android phone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on.

Your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices within 30 seconds. Tap them to connect. Unlike with iPhones, your AirPods won't automatically switch between Android and other devices, and features like automatic ear detection and spatial audio won't work. You'll also need to manually adjust settings like noise cancellation through your Android phone's Bluetooth menu rather than through an AirPods app.

Switching AirPods between multiple devices

Once your AirPods are paired to a device, they can also be paired to other phones, tablets, or computers at the same time. You don't need to unpair them from your old phone first. Just put them into pairing mode on the new device and connect them there too.

If your AirPods are paired to multiple Apple devices under the same Apple ID, they'll automatically switch to whichever device you're actively using — if you start playing music on your iPad, they'll disconnect from your iPhone and connect to the iPad instead. This automatic switching doesn't work when pairing with Android or non-Apple devices; you'll need to manually disconnect and reconnect in Bluetooth settings each time you switch.

What to do if your AirPods won't connect

If your AirPods don't appear in your phone's Bluetooth list after putting them in pairing mode, try restarting your phone's Bluetooth. Go to Settings, turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Put your AirPods back into pairing mode and try again.

If that doesn't work, reset your AirPods completely. Hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white. This erases all pairings and returns the AirPods to factory settings. You'll then need to pair them to your new phone from scratch using the manual pairing steps above.

Make sure your phone's Bluetooth is turned on and that no other device is currently connected to or trying to pair with your AirPods. AirPods can only pair with one device at a time during the pairing process, even though they can be paired to multiple devices overall.

Restoring your AirPods settings on a new phone

If you're moving to a new iPhone or iPad under the same Apple ID, your AirPods settings restore automatically when you connect them. This includes your noise cancellation preference, transparency mode settings, and which device they're set to switch to first.

If you're switching to a different Apple ID, or if you're connecting to Android, these settings won't transfer. You'll need to manually adjust noise cancellation, transparency mode, and other features through your new phone's settings or Bluetooth menu. On iPhone, you can find AirPods settings by going to Settings, then Bluetooth, then tapping the "i" icon next to your AirPods name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unpair my AirPods from my old phone before connecting to a new one?

No. You can pair your AirPods to a new phone without unpairing them from your old one. They can be paired to multiple devices at once. If you want to remove them from your old phone, go to Bluetooth settings, tap the "i" icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device."

Why does the automatic setup screen not appear on my new iPhone?

The setup screen only appears if your AirPods were previously paired to an Apple device under the same Apple ID. If you're using a different Apple ID, or if these are brand-new AirPods, you'll need to pair them manually through Bluetooth settings instead.

Can I use the same AirPods with both an iPhone and an Android phone?

Yes, but you'll need to manually switch them between devices each time. Pair them to your iPhone first, then put them in pairing mode and pair them to your Android phone. When you want to use them with one device, disconnect them from Bluetooth on the other device first.

What does the flashing light on my AirPods case mean?

A white flashing light means your AirPods are in pairing mode and ready to connect to a device. An amber flashing light means they're resetting to factory settings. A steady white light means they're already paired to a device.

Will my noise cancellation settings transfer to my new phone?

Only if you're connecting to a new iPhone or iPad under the same Apple ID. If you're switching to a different Apple ID or to Android, you'll need to manually set your noise cancellation preference again through your new phone's Bluetooth settings.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.