How To Disconnect Your AirPods From All Your Devices

Disconnecting your AirPods from all devices can be necessary when you want to pair them with a new device or troubleshoot connection issues. Apple’s wireless earbuds automatically connect to devices linked to your Apple ID, which is convenient but sometimes problematic. To disconnect AirPods from all devices at once, you can either unpair them from a single Apple device (which removes them from all devices sharing the same Apple ID) or perform a factory reset by holding the setup button on the charging case until the status light flashes amber.

Many users don’t realize that simply turning off Bluetooth doesn’t fully disconnect AirPods from their device ecosystem. When you unpair AirPods from your iPhone, they’re automatically removed from other Apple devices using the same Apple ID. This makes switching between your personal and work devices much easier without having to manually disconnect each time.

Ways To Disconnect Your AirPods From All Your Devices

If you’re planning to sell your AirPods, give them to someone else, or troubleshoot persistent connection issues, disconnecting them from all your devices is a smart move. AirPods are tied to your Apple ID via iCloud, which allows them to automatically switch between your Apple devices. To completely disconnect your AirPods, you need to remove them from your iCloud account and unpair them manually. Here’s how to do it step by step.

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1. Remove AirPods From iCloud (Unlink From All Devices)

Because your AirPods are synced through iCloud, removing them from your Apple ID will disconnect them from all connected devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, etc.).

On iPhone or iPad:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap your Apple ID at the top.
3. Scroll down to see a list of your devices.
4. Tap your AirPods.
5. Tap Remove from Account.
6. Confirm the removal. You may need to enter your Apple ID password.

On a Mac:

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences).
2. Click your Apple ID.
3. Select your AirPods from the device list.
4. Click Remove from Account.

⚠️ This will turn off automatic device switching and fully unlink the AirPods from your Apple ecosystem.

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2. Forget AirPods on Each Device (If You’re Not Using iCloud)

If you’re using the AirPods with non-Apple devices or want to be extra thorough, manually remove them from the Bluetooth list on each device.

On iPhone or iPad:

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Tap the (i) next to your AirPods.
3. Tap Forget This Device and confirm.

On Mac:

1. Open System Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Click the (i) next to the AirPods.
3. Select Forget This Device.

On Android or Windows:

1. Open the Bluetooth settings on the device.
2. Find your AirPods in the list.
3. Tap or click Unpair or Forget.

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3. Reset Your AirPods (Optional But Recommended)

Resetting your AirPods clears all device connections and prepares them for pairing with a new user.

To reset:

1. Place your AirPods in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait 30 seconds, then open the lid.
3. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the LED light flashes amber, then white.
4. Your AirPods are now reset and ready to pair with a new device.

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Summary

To disconnect your AirPods from all devices:

• Remove them from your iCloud account.
• Manually unpair them from any remaining devices.
• Optionally, reset them for a clean start.

Doing all of this ensures your AirPods are no longer linked to your Apple ID and won’t auto-connect to any of your previous devices.

Key Takeaways

• Unpairing AirPods from one Apple device removes them from all devices linked to the same Apple ID
• Reset AirPods to factory settings by holding the setup button on the charging case until the light flashes amber
• Toggle Bluetooth off or use Airplane Mode for a temporary disconnection without removing the pairing information

Disconnecting AirPods from Apple Devices

AirPods connect seamlessly with Apple devices, but sometimes you need to disconnect them completely. The process varies slightly depending on which Apple device you’re using and what you want to accomplish.

From iPhone and iPad

Disconnecting AirPods from an iPhone or iPad is straightforward through the Bluetooth settings.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap Bluetooth (make sure it’s turned on)
3. Find your AirPods in the list of devices
4. Tap the information icon (i) next to your AirPods name
5. Tap Forget This Device
6. Confirm by tapping Forget Device when prompted

This action will disconnect your AirPods from the iPhone or iPad. If you’re signed into the same Apple ID on other devices, your AirPods will also be removed from those devices automatically.

To temporarily disconnect without removing the pairing, you can simply turn off Bluetooth or select “Disconnect” instead of “Forget This Device.”

From Mac and Apple Watch

The process for Mac computers and Apple Watch follows similar steps but with slight interface differences.

For Mac:

1. Click the Apple menu → System Preferences (or System Settings)
2. Select Bluetooth
3. Find your AirPods in the devices list
4. Right-click on your AirPods or click the (x) or three dots
5. Select Forget This Device
6. Confirm your choice

For Apple Watch:

1. On your Apple Watch, go to Settings
2. Tap Bluetooth
3. Find your AirPods in the list
4. Tap the information (i) button
5. Select Forget Device

Both methods will remove your AirPods from the device. If you encounter situations where AirPods reconnect automatically to devices after disconnecting, you may need to use the Find My app method below.

Using Apple ID and Find My App

The Find My app provides a central way to disconnect AirPods from all your Apple devices at once.

1. Open the Find My app on any Apple device
2. Tap the Devices tab at the bottom
3. Select your AirPods from the list
4. Scroll down and tap Remove This Device
5. Confirm your choice

This method is particularly useful when you want to disconnect AirPods without having your phone. It removes the AirPods from all devices linked to your Apple ID simultaneously.

If you’re selling or giving away your AirPods, you should also reset them by placing them in their case, opening the lid, and holding the setup button on the back until the status light flashes amber, then white.

Resetting AirPods to Factory Settings

When AirPods have connection issues, resetting them to factory settings can solve most problems. This process removes your AirPods from all paired devices and returns them to their original state.

Standard AirPods and AirPods Pro

To reset AirPods or AirPods Pro to factory settings, users need to follow these simple steps:

1. Place AirPods in the charging case and close the lid
2. Wait 30 seconds before proceeding to the next step
3. Open the case lid
4. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds
5. Watch for the status light to flash amber and then white

The amber light indicates the AirPods have been reset to factory settings. After resetting, users will need to pair their AirPods with their devices again.

For a complete reset, it’s also helpful to unpair the AirPods from the iPhone first. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the “i” next to the AirPods, and select “Forget This Device.”

AirPods Max

Resetting AirPods Max requires a different process since they don’t have a charging case:

1. Let AirPods Max rest for at least 30 seconds
2. Press and hold both buttons (noise control button and Digital Crown) simultaneously
3. Continue holding for 15 seconds until the LED light flashes amber, then white

This process removes the AirPods Max from all devices connected to the same iCloud account. Users will need to bring their AirPods Max near their iPhone to set them up again.

After resetting, all custom settings including noise control modes and audio preferences will be lost. This reset often fixes issues like connection problems, audio cutting out, or charging issues.