How to Find One AirPod + 5 Tips to Never Lose Them Again!

There’s a saying that something is better than nothing.

But when it comes to AirPods, that’s not really the case!

It’s a real pain to lose one AirPod. You miss out on the full audio experience with just one earbud, and getting a replacement isn’t exactly pocket change.

But hang in there! There’s a chance you might still track down your lost AirPod.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps of finding a lost AirPod and share some handy tips to prevent misplacing them in the future.

Can you find a single AirPod?

Yes, indeed!

Apple’s Find My app is a great tool for finding a single lost AirPod. If your AirPods have been separated, the Find My app will display one location at a time.

Simply follow the instructions for the first location. After you’ve found one of your AirPods, pop it back into its case. All you need to do next is refresh the map in the app to find the location of your other AirPod.

How to find one AirPod using the Find My app

The Find My app, provided by Apple, is a nifty utility that can help you locate misplaced Apple devices. It uses Bluetooth, as well as Apple’s vast network of devices, to pinpoint a location.

If you’ve misplaced one of your AirPods, it becomes easier to find if it still has some juice left and is within Bluetooth’s range.

• Open the Find My app.
• Go to the Devices tab.
• Select your AirPods from the list.
• If the lost AirPod is within Bluetooth range, hit the Find button.
• Gently move your iPhone around until it connects to your AirPod.
• Once connected, tap L for left or R for right in the upper left corner to narrow down your search to the specific missing AirPod.
• Follow the on-screen instructions or use the Play Sound button (marked by the volume icon in the lower right corner).
• Your missing AirPod will play a chime that gradually gets louder.
• Follow the sound to locate your missing AirPod.

But what if you lost an AirPod in a distant location where Bluetooth isn’t accessible?

As long as your AirPod still has some battery life, you can use the Find My app.

However, without Bluetooth, the ‘Find’ or ‘Play Sound’ buttons will be absent. Instead, you’ll find a ‘Directions’ button that could potentially display the last known location of your AirPods. (This is also particularly useful if you need to locate dead AirPods.)

If your lost AirPod hasn’t been picked up by anyone, chances are it’s still where you left it.

By visiting the last known location and getting within Bluetooth range, you can use the Play Sound button to make your search easier.

What if I can’t find my missing AirPod?

If your AirPod stays missing, and you happen to be a user of the AirPods Pro or the AirPods 3rd Generation, you can switch to the Lost Mode.

As a final attempt to recover your lost AirPod, Lost Mode is a pretty handy feature. When activated, you’ll get a notification as soon as your missing AirPod’s location becomes available.

Your AirPods will also get linked to your Apple ID, which means that if anyone else tries to use them, their location will be revealed. Plus, you can leave a message with your contact details for the person who finds them.

To enable Lost Mode:

• Open the Find My app.
• Go to the Devices tab.
• Select your AirPods from the list.
• Swipe the handle up.
• Tap Activate under Mark as Lost.
• Tap Continue and follow the instructions on your screen.

Can you replace just one AirPod?

If you’ve tried everything and your missing AirPod is still at large, regretfully, your only remaining option might be to invest in a replacement.

Truth be told, while many people successfully find their missing AirPods, there are also many who don’t. Tracking down a small device like a single AirPod can be a real challenge, even with all the technological help. There are a host of factors that can derail your search.

The silver lining here is that you don’t have to shell out for a brand new pair. If you’ve only misplaced one AirPod, you can just purchase a replacement for it.

The cost? $89 for a replacement if you’re using the AirPods Pro, and $69 for any other AirPod model.

It’s still a bit of a hit to the wallet, but it’s definitely cheaper than buying a completely new pair.

Does the Limited Warranty or AppleCare+ cover lost AirPods?

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

Apple’s Limited Warranty only protects your AirPods against manufacturing defects for one year from the date of purchase. AppleCare+ for AirPods covers you for two incidents of accidental damage every 12 months.

Sadly, the AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss upgrade applies only to iPhones.

If you’re unable to locate your missing AirPod using the Find My app or other methods, purchasing a replacement is your only remaining recourse.

Should I just upgrade to newer AirPods?

If you’ve got extra cash, why not?

Losing one AirPod might actually give you a perfect excuse to upgrade to a newer model.

As of September 2022, Apple released the AirPods Pro 2nd Generation. This model comes with an advanced H2 chip and a bunch of exciting features that might just persuade you to level up:

• Enhanced sound quality that boasts deeper bass and sharper audio
• Upgraded Active Noise Cancellation and a fresh Adaptive Transparency feature (which, according to Apple, dials down noisy disturbances like sirens or power tools)
• Extended battery life (6 hours of listening time even with Active Noise Cancellation on)
• New touch sensors that allow you to conveniently adjust the volume by swiping up or down
• Superior in-ear detection thanks to an integrated skin-detect sensor
• An advanced charging case equipped with a new U1 chip (which lets you use Find My to locate it, built-in speakers for location sound and battery life information, and even includes a lanyard loop)

Feeling convinced?

Remember, now that there’s a new version of AirPods Pro on the shelves, older models might be up for grabs at discounted prices.

So, if the latest model doesn’t catch your fancy, opting for a more affordable older model could be your alternative.

How to avoid losing one AirPod

1. Keep AirPods in the case when not in use

To minimize the risk of losing your AirPods, always store them in their case when you’re not using them.

Resist the urge to simply slip your AirPods into your pockets or leave them laying around after use. If this becomes a habit, your AirPods are more likely to get damaged and attract dust and dirt.

Keeping them securely in the case not only protects and cleans your AirPods, but it also significantly reduces your chances of losing them.

2. Make sure AirPods are set up in Find My

The Find My app is a super useful tool to have on hand if you ever lose your AirPods. But remember, it’s no use if your AirPods aren’t linked to it.

To do this, you just need to pair your AirPods with your iPhone. Once they’re paired, they’re automatically set up in the app.

To make sure you can track down your AirPods even if they’re offline or disconnected, you’ll also want to ensure that your Find My Network setting is toggled on.

• Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
• Tap the “i” icon beside your AirPods’ name.
• Scroll down to Find My Network.
• Make sure the toggle is on.

3. Enable the Notify When Left Behind feature

Notify When Left Behind is another handy function that the Find My app offers.

If it’s activated, you’ll get a notification on your iPhone if your AirPods get left behind somewhere.

So, say you’ve accidentally left your AirPods at the gym.

If you have Notify When Left Behind on, your iPhone will alert you while you’re still relatively nearby. This means you can quickly turn around and snatch your AirPods up before anyone else does.

To enable this feature:

• Open the Find My app.
• Go to the Devices tab.
• Select your AirPods.
• Swipe the handle up.
• Under Notifications, tap Notify When Left Behind.
• Switch the toggle on.

And if there are certain locations where you don’t want to be notified, you can specify these in the Notify Me, Except At section.

4. Assign designated pockets or areas for AirPods

Even if you’re keeping your AirPods in their case when not in use, you could still lose them if you keep placing them randomly. To lessen this risk, create a designated spot for your AirPods.

For instance, I always keep my AirPods (in their case) in a particular pocket of my bag. When I’m home, I’ve allotted certain spots in my living room or bedroom for my AirPods.

By not placing them anywhere else, I know if my AirPods aren’t in that specific pocket or particular areas in my home, then I must’ve misplaced them.

This approach saves me a lot of worry about where my AirPods might be.

5. Use AirPods case cover with AirTag holder

Sometimes, a brightly colored cover for your AirPods case might not be enough to help you spot it.

Only the new AirPods Pro 2nd Generation has a case that can be tracked with the Find My app. For earlier models, you might want to consider a case cover equipped with an AirTag holder. You can then buy an AirTag to place in this holder to help you locate your AirPods case more easily.

An AirTag is a small, button-like tracker that uses Bluetooth, along with Apple’s network of devices, to send location updates.

Here’s how to add an AirTag:

• Unlock your iPhone and go to your Home Screen.
• Remove the battery tab from your AirTag.
• Place the AirTag near your iPhone.
• On your iPhone screen, tap Connect.
• Choose a name from the list or select Custom Name to type a name, select an emoji, then tap Continue.
• Press Continue to register the item to your Apple ID.
• Tap Finish.

To track your AirTag, you can find it under Items on the Find My app.

Final Thoughts

While it might feel like a Herculean task to find a single lost AirPod, it’s not impossible.

The Find My app is your best bet.

If your missing AirPod has some battery life and is within Bluetooth range, the Find and Play Sound features in the Find My app should help. But if it’s out of Bluetooth range, the app’s Directions feature might only show the last known location.

If you’re out of options, you can also activate ‘Lost Mode’. Once it’s on, you’ll get a notification as soon as a location is located. The mode also ties your AirPods to your Apple ID. If someone else uses them, you’ll get their location.

But if your missing AirPod remains elusive, your only path forward may be to purchase a replacement. You can buy a single AirPod, so no need to splurge on a pair unless you’re looking to upgrade.