Connect replacement AirPods the same way as new ones
Replacement AirPods connect through the same pairing process as any new pair. Open the charging case near your device, hold down the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white, then select the AirPods from your device's Bluetooth menu. The entire process takes under two minutes on most devices.
The setup button is a small circular button on the back of the charging case — not on the AirPods themselves. You'll see a light inside the case that changes color during pairing. White means the AirPods are ready to connect; amber means they're still initializing.
Your replacement AirPods will not automatically connect to your old account or device. You must pair them fresh, even if you're replacing a lost or broken pair. This is a security feature that prevents someone else from connecting to your devices using your old AirPods.
Key Takeaways
- Open the case near your device, press and hold the setup button on the back for 15 seconds, and select the AirPods from Bluetooth settings.
- The light inside the case will flash white when ready to pair — this is your signal that the AirPods are discoverable.
- Replacement AirPods require a fresh pairing and will not automatically connect to your previous account or devices.
- Once paired to one device, you can switch between other devices signed into the same Apple ID without repeating the full setup.
- If the setup button doesn't work, reset the AirPods by holding the button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white.
Step-by-step pairing on iPhone, iPad, or Mac
Place your replacement AirPods in the charging case and open the lid. Hold the case within a few inches of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light inside flashes white — this takes about 15 seconds. Your device will show a pairing screen with an image of the AirPods and a "Connect" button. Tap or click Connect, then follow any remaining prompts.
Once connected, your AirPods will appear in Settings under Bluetooth (on iPhone and iPad) or System Settings under Bluetooth (on Mac). You can rename them here if you want to distinguish them from other AirPods you own. The pairing is now complete and your replacement AirPods will automatically connect whenever they're near this device and Bluetooth is on.
Pairing replacement AirPods with Android or Windows
Android and Windows devices do not have the automatic pairing screen that Apple devices show. Instead, open your device's Bluetooth settings, place the AirPods case nearby, and press the setup button on the back for 15 seconds until the light flashes white. Your replacement AirPods will appear in the list of available devices — select them to pair.
Android devices will show the AirPods in Settings under Connected Devices or Bluetooth, depending on your phone model and Android version. Windows computers list them in Settings under Devices and then Bluetooth. The pairing process is the same; only the menu location differs. Once paired, your replacement AirPods will reconnect automatically when Bluetooth is enabled.
What to do if the setup button doesn't respond
If pressing the setup button produces no light or the light doesn't change, the AirPods may not have power. Place them in the charging case and leave them there for at least 15 minutes, then try again. A completely drained battery can prevent the setup button from working.
If the light still doesn't appear after charging, perform a factory reset. Hold the setup button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then continue holding for another 5 seconds until it flashes white. Release the button. The AirPods are now reset and ready to pair. This clears any previous pairing information and returns them to factory settings.
If the light flashes amber and never turns white, or if the AirPods still won't pair after a reset, contact Apple Support or the retailer where you obtained the replacement. A persistent light issue usually indicates a hardware problem.
Connecting to multiple devices with the same Apple ID
If you own an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, your replacement AirPods can switch between them automatically. This works only if all devices are signed into the same Apple ID and have Bluetooth enabled. Pair the AirPods to your primary device first (usually your iPhone), then open the case near your other devices. They will recognize the AirPods and add them to your account without requiring the setup button again.
To manually switch between devices, open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, long-press the audio card in the top right, and select your AirPods from the list of available audio outputs. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select your AirPods. On Apple Watch, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and select your AirPods. The switch happens in seconds.
Forgetting and re-pairing your replacement AirPods
If you want to pair your replacement AirPods with a different device or account, you must first forget them on the current device. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the info icon next to them, and select Forget This Device. On Mac, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the three dots next to them, and select Remove. On Android or Windows, open Bluetooth settings, find the AirPods, and select Forget or Remove.
Once forgotten, the AirPods will no longer connect to that device. You can then pair them with a new device by repeating the setup button process. This is useful if you're giving your replacement AirPods to someone else or moving them to a different account.
Troubleshooting common pairing problems
If your replacement AirPods appear in the Bluetooth list but won't actually connect, try turning Bluetooth off and on again on your device. Wait 10 seconds between turning it off and back on. Then open the AirPods case and try pairing again. This often clears temporary connection glitches.
If your device shows the AirPods as connected but you hear no sound, check your device's volume and make sure the AirPods are selected as the audio output. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right to open Control Center and look at the audio card — if the AirPods aren't shown there, tap the audio card and select them. On Mac, click the volume icon in the menu bar and select your AirPods from the dropdown. If sound still doesn't work, forget the AirPods and pair them again from scratch.
If the AirPods keep disconnecting, move closer to your device — AirPods have a typical range of about 30 feet, but walls and interference can reduce this. Also check that your device's Bluetooth is not turned off and that no other devices are trying to connect to the same AirPods at the same time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to unpair my old AirPods before pairing the replacement?
No, but it's a good idea to forget the old AirPods on your device first to avoid confusion. If your old AirPods are lost or broken, you can straightforward pair the replacement without removing the old ones from your Bluetooth list. Just make sure the replacement AirPods are the ones you're actually using.
Will my replacement AirPods have the same settings as my old pair?
No. Replacement AirPods start with default settings. You'll need to reconfigure things like noise cancellation mode, automatic ear detection, and microphone settings. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to your AirPods, and adjust the options there.
Can I pair replacement AirPods to my Apple Watch without pairing them to my iPhone first?
No. Apple Watch requires that AirPods be paired to an iPhone on the same Apple ID first. Once they're paired to your iPhone, your Apple Watch will recognize them automatically if it's signed into the same account.
What if my replacement AirPods won't show up in Bluetooth at all?
Make sure the case has power by charging it for at least 30 minutes. Then open the case, press the setup button for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, and check your Bluetooth settings when ready. If the AirPods still don't appear, try resetting them by holding the setup button until the light flashes amber, then white.
Can I use my replacement AirPods with my old charging case?
Yes, replacement AirPods are compatible with older charging cases from the same model line. However, if you received a new case with your replacement, use that one — it may have updated firmware that improves performance.