Losing your AirPods can be stressful, but Apple has built features to help you find them again. When you mark your AirPods as lost in the Find My app, you create a digital lost-and-found poster that shows up if someone finds them. You can mark AirPods 3, AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro (all generations), or AirPods Max as lost, and Apple will notify you when they connect to another device.
For newer models like AirPods 4 with ANC or AirPods Pro 2, users can even mark individual pieces as lost. This means if someone finds just one AirPod or just the charging case, they’ll still see your contact information. The process takes about one minute to complete and gives peace of mind when AirPods go missing.
The Lost Mode links your AirPods to your Apple ID and allows you to add your phone number or email address to a custom message. This makes it easy for good Samaritans to return your expensive earbuds if found, without giving them access to your personal data or Apple account.
How to Mark AirPods as Lost
If your AirPods go missing, Apple’s Find My feature lets you mark them as lost, track their location, and display contact information for anyone who finds them. Follow the steps below to secure your AirPods and increase the chances of getting them back.
What You Need Before You Start
- Your AirPods must be paired with your Apple ID
- Find My must have been enabled on the device they were paired with
- An iPhone, iPad, Mac, or access to iCloud.com
✅ Works with AirPods (3rd generation and later), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max
⚠️ Location accuracy depends on battery life and model
How to Mark AirPods as Lost on iPhone or iPad
- Open the Find My app
- Tap the Devices tab
- Select your AirPods from the list
- Scroll down and tap Mark as Lost
- Tap Activate
- (Optional)
- Enter a phone number or email so someone can contact you
- Add a short message (for example: “These AirPods are lost. Please call me.”)
- Tap Activate to confirm
Your AirPods are now marked as lost.
How to Mark AirPods as Lost on a Mac
- Open Find My
- Click Devices
- Select your AirPods
- Click ⓘ (Info) next to the device
- Click Mark as Lost
- Follow the on‑screen instructions to add contact details
How to Mark AirPods as Lost Using iCloud
- Go to https://www.icloud.com/find
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Select Devices
- Choose your AirPods
- Click Mark as Lost
- Enter your contact information and confirm
What Happens After You Mark AirPods as Lost
- 🔍 Location tracking remains active in Find My
- 📩 Your contact info appears if someone connects the AirPods to an Apple device
- 🔒 AirPods are linked to your Apple ID, preventing others from pairing them
- 🔔 You can enable notifications when they’re found
Tips for Finding Lost AirPods
- Use Play Sound in the Find My app if they’re nearby
- Check Last Known Location if they’re offline
- For newer models, use Precision Finding for step‑by‑step directions
- If stolen, consider reporting them as lost to local authorities
How to Turn Off Lost Mode
If you recover your AirPods:
- Open Find My
- Select your AirPods
- Tap Mark as Lost
- Choose Turn Off Lost Mode
Final Notes
- AirPods must have battery power to update their location
- Individual AirPods may show separate locations
- Lost Mode does not lock or erase audio content—it’s designed for recovery, not data protection
Key Takeaways
- Mark lost AirPods through the Find My app to receive notifications when they connect to another device.
- Add your contact details to a custom message that appears when someone finds your AirPods.
- Newer AirPods models allow marking individual earbuds or the charging case as lost separately.
Activating Lost Mode for AirPods
If your AirPods go missing, you can use Lost Mode to help find them. This feature connects your lost AirPods to your Apple ID and can send notifications when they’re located.
Using the Find My App
To mark your AirPods as lost, you need to use Apple’s Find My app. The steps vary slightly depending on which device you’re using:
On iPhone or iPad:
- Open the Find My app
- Tap the Devices tab
- Select your AirPods from the list
- Scroll down to “Mark as Lost”
- Tap “Activate”
On Apple Watch:
- Open the Find Devices app
- Tap your AirPods
- Tap Lost Mode
- Turn on Lost Mode
On Mac:
- Open the Find My app
- Click Devices
- Select your AirPods
- Click the info button (i)
- Click “Activate” under Mark as Lost
This process works for AirPods (3rd generation), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Older AirPods models may have limited Lost Mode options.
What Happens When You Mark AirPods as Lost
When you activate Lost Mode, several things happen to help recover your AirPods:
First, your AirPods become linked to your Apple ID, making it harder for someone else to use them. The system will notify you if your AirPods connect to another device.
You can add a custom message with your phone number or email address. If someone finds your AirPods, this information appears on their iPhone when the AirPods are detected.
The Find My Network uses Bluetooth signals from nearby Apple devices to help locate your AirPods even when they’re not connected to the internet. The app shows their last known location on a map.
You can also make your AirPods play a sound to help find them if they’re nearby but out of sight.
After Marking AirPods Lost
Once you’ve marked your AirPods as lost, several features activate to help you recover them. The Find My app offers tools to track their location, receive notifications, and provide contact information to anyone who finds them.
Notifying When Left Behind
AirPods can send alerts if they’re left behind in unfamiliar locations. This “Notify When Left Behind” feature works through your Apple ID and connected devices.
To set up separation alerts:
- Open the Find My app
- Select your AirPods
- Tap “Notify When Left Behind”
- Choose locations where you want alerts enabled or disabled
These notifications work best when your AirPods are connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth. The alerts appear on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac when you walk away from your AirPods.
You can customize these alerts by creating exceptions for trusted locations like your home or workplace. This prevents unnecessary notifications in places you frequently visit.
Replacement and Serial Numbers
When AirPods are lost, knowing their serial number becomes crucial. You can find this information by:
- Checking the original packaging
- Looking in Settings > Bluetooth > Your AirPods
- Examining your purchase receipt
- Contacting Apple Support with proof of purchase
Apple uses these serial numbers to verify ownership if you need replacements. Each AirPod has its own unique identifier, which helps with individual replacement.
Replacement costs vary based on your warranty status:
| Component | With AppleCare+ | Without Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Single AirPod | $29 | $69-$89 |
| Charging Case | $29 | $59-$99 |
Keep records of your serial numbers in a safe place for quick access if needed.
Leveraging the Find My Network and Airtags
The Find My network helps locate lost AirPods even when they’re not connected to your device. This network uses millions of Apple devices to detect your lost AirPods anonymously.
To maximize the Find My network’s effectiveness:
- Ensure your AirPods are added to Find My
- Keep Location Services enabled
- Update to the latest iOS version
While AirPods don’t have the precise tracking capabilities of AirTags, they can still be located through the network. When nearby, you can play a sound to help find them even if they’re in a case.
For added protection, some users attach AirTags to their AirPods case. This provides more accurate location data since AirTags have dedicated tracking hardware that AirPods lack.
If someone finds your AirPods, they’ll see your contact information when connected to their device, allowing them to reach you.
