How to Reset AirPods from a Previous Owner (2024 Guide)

If you’ve acquired a pair of used AirPods, whether purchasing them secondhand or receiving them as a hand-me-down, one of the first things you’ll want to do is reset them so they are no longer paired to the previous owner’s devices. Resetting AirPods is a simple process that will unpair them from any linked iCloud account and restore them to factory settings, allowing you to set them up as your own.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the steps to reset all models of AirPods, including 1st and 2nd generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3, and AirPods Max. We’ll also cover what to do if you’re having trouble resetting your AirPods or are unable to unpair them from the previous owner’s account.

Whether you’re new to AirPods or a seasoned user, by the end of this article you’ll know exactly how to claim ownership of your “new-to-you” AirPods so you can start using them with all your devices. Let’s dive in!

Is it Possible to Reset AirPods from Previous Owner?

Yes, it is possible to reset AirPods from a previous owner. Here’s how to do it:

1. Place the AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait at least 30 seconds.
3. Open the lid of the charging case.
4. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber a few times, then flashes white continuously.
5. Close the lid of the charging case.
6. The AirPods have now been reset and are no longer paired with the previous owner’s device.

After resetting the AirPods, you can pair them with your own device as if they were new:

1. Place the AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
2. Unlock your iPhone or iPad and hold it near the charging case.
3. Open the lid of the charging case.
4. A setup animation should appear on your device’s screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair the AirPods with your device.

If the previous owner didn’t unpair the AirPods from their iCloud account before giving them to you, the AirPods might still be linked to their account after resetting. In this case, you may see a “Not Your AirPods” message when trying to pair them, or they may re-pair with the previous owner’s device after resetting.

To fix this, the previous owner needs to remove the AirPods from their iCloud account by unpairing them from all their devices in the Bluetooth settings. Once this is done, you should be able to reset and pair the AirPods with your own device without any issues.

What You Need to Reset Used AirPods

To reset a pair of used AirPods, you’ll need:

• The AirPods and their charging case (for standard AirPods) or Smart Case (for AirPods Max)
• A compatible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 16.4 or later, or a Mac running macOS 13.3 or later
• An internet connection to download any necessary software updates

1. Resetting 1st & 2nd Generation AirPods and AirPods Pro

Resetting 1st gen, 2nd gen, and Pro model AirPods follows the same simple process:

1. Place both AirPods in their charging case and close the lid. Wait at least 30 seconds.
2. Open the lid of the charging case, but leave the AirPods inside.
3. On your iOS device, go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the “i” info icon next to your AirPods.
4. Tap “Forget This Device” and confirm. This will unpair the AirPods from your device and iCloud account.
5. With the charging case lid still open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds, until you see the status light flash amber a few times and then flash white continuously.
6. Close the lid. Your AirPods are now reset and ready to be set up with a new device and iCloud account.

When you open the lid of the case near a compatible iOS device, you should see a setup animation inviting you to connect the AirPods. If you don’t, repeat the steps above, ensuring you hold the setup button until the status light flashes white.

2. Resetting AirPods Pro 2 & AirPods 3

The process to reset AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3 is very similar to the method described above, with one small difference. After placing the earbuds in the charging case:

1. Locate the setup button on the back of the charging case, near the bottom edge.
2. Press and hold the setup button until the status light on the front of the case flashes amber and then flashes white continuously. This may take up to 20 seconds.
3. The earbuds are now reset to factory settings and ready to pair with a new device.

3. Resetting AirPods Max

As an over-ear headphone without a charging case, the process to reset AirPods Max is slightly different than other models:

1. Press and hold the noise control button and Digital Crown simultaneously for 12 seconds. The status light will flash amber and then white.
2. Release the buttons. Your AirPods Max will now be reset to factory settings.

If you’re still having trouble resetting your AirPods Max, try charging them for a few minutes first, as this process requires some battery power. You can also consult the user manual for additional troubleshooting tips.

What If I Can’t Reset My Used AirPods?

In some cases, you may attempt to reset your used AirPods but find they immediately re-pair with the previous owner’s device after resetting. This happens when the previous owner has not unpaired the AirPods from their iCloud account.

If you reset the AirPods near one of the previous owner’s devices, that device may automatically pair with the earbuds again during setup. In this situation, your best course of action is to contact the previous owner and ask them to manually unpair the AirPods from their device and iCloud account.

To do this, the previous owner should:

1. Place the AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
2. On their iOS device, go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the “i” info icon next to the AirPods.
3. Tap “Forget This Device” to unpair the AirPods from their device.
4. On all their other devices signed in to the same iCloud account, they should go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to the AirPods, and choose “Forget This Device” on each.

Once these steps are completed, the previous owner will no longer see the AirPods in their Bluetooth device list and the earbuds will be unpaired from their account entirely. You should now be able to reset the AirPods normally without them re-pairing to any of the previous owner’s devices.

If you are unable to contact the previous owner or they are unwilling to unpair the AirPods from their account, you may, unfortunately, be unable to use them, as they will keep trying to re-pair with that account. In this case, your only solution would be to contact Apple Support, present proof of purchase of the secondhand AirPods, and ask them to manually unpair the AirPods from the linked account.

Troubleshooting Tips for Resetting Used AirPods

If you’re still having trouble resetting your used AirPods, here are a few additional troubleshooting tips:

• Ensure your AirPods are sufficiently charged. If the batteries are completely drained, they may be unable to reset. Try charging them for at least 15 minutes before attempting a reset again.
• Check for debris in the charging ports. Lint, dust, and earwax buildup can prevent your AirPods from charging properly in their case, which can cause issues when resetting. Carefully clean the charging ports on the earbuds and inside the case using a soft, dry brush or cotton swab.
• Update your iOS device. AirPods require a minimum iOS version to function properly (iOS 16.4 for the latest models as of 2024). Make sure your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest available software version before trying to reset and re-pair your AirPods. You can check for updates in Settings > General > Software Update.
• Restart your iOS device. If you’re having trouble getting the reset to stick or your device isn’t recognizing the AirPods after resetting, try restarting your iPhone or iPad and then attempt the pairing process again.
• Reset your AirPods near your iOS device. When you reset your AirPods, make sure you are near your iPhone or iPad so they can pair with it immediately after. If you reset the earbuds but don’t pair them with a device right away, they may try to reconnect to the previous owner’s device if it’s still linked to their iCloud account.
• Consult the user manual for your specific model. While the reset process is similar across all AirPods models, there may be slight variations or additional steps required for your particular model. Check the printed quick start guide that came with your AirPods or search online for the official user manual for the most accurate information.

Setting Up Your Newly Reset AirPods

Once you’ve successfully reset your used AirPods, you can set them up as new with your iCloud account. Here’s how:

1. Place the AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
2. Unlock your iPhone or iPad and hold the charging case with AirPods inside near your device.
3. Open the charging case lid. A setup animation should appear on your iOS device’s screen.
4. Tap “Connect” and follow the on-screen instructions to name your AirPods and choose your preferences for Hey Siri, Ear Detection, Spatial Audio, and Find My network.
5. Once setup is complete, your AirPods will be paired with your iCloud account and all devices signed in with the same Apple ID.

If you’re setting up AirPods Max, you’ll follow a similar process, but instead of placing them in a charging case, you’ll simply hold them near your unlocked iOS device and then press the noise control button to initiate pairing.

You can manage your AirPods settings, change their name, and update their firmware in Settings > Bluetooth on a paired device. Tap the info icon next to your AirPods in the list to access these options.

Can I Factory Reset AirPods That I Found?

If you found a pair of lost AirPods, it’s important to understand that resetting and using them yourself is not the right thing to do. Even if you are able to reset the AirPods, they may still be linked to the original owner’s iCloud account, which could cause issues with pairing and using them.

When you reset AirPods, it removes them from the previously paired device, but it doesn’t necessarily unlink them from the owner’s iCloud account. The owner can still see the AirPods in their “Find My” app and potentially track their location or even play a sound on them remotely.

The ethical thing to do with found AirPods is to try to return them to their rightful owner. Here are a few steps you can take:

1. Look for a name or contact information on the AirPods case, if there is one.
2. Hand them in to a lost and found service, such as at a school, workplace, or public transportation office, if you found them in such a place.
3. Bring them to a police station and report them as found property.
4. If you found them in a public place, you could leave a note describing where you found them and how the owner can contact you to retrieve them.

Remember, AirPods are expensive devices that likely hold sentimental value to their owner. Putting in some effort to return a lost pair is always appreciated. If, after taking these steps, you are unable to locate the owner, it’s best to consider donating the AirPods rather than keeping them for yourself.

Can the Old Owner Still Track Reset AirPods?

Yes, the old owner may still be able to track reset AirPods in certain situations.

When you reset AirPods, it unpairs them from the device they were previously connected to, but it doesn’t necessarily unlink them from the owner’s iCloud account. If the owner had set up “Find My” for their AirPods, they could still potentially see the location of the AirPods on a map, as long as the AirPods are powered on and connected to a device.

Here’s how the “Find My” feature works with AirPods:

1. If the AirPods are out of the case and connected to an iOS device, they will report their location to the “Find My” network.
2. If the AirPods are in the case, their last known location will be displayed in the “Find My” app as long as the case has some charge.
3. If the AirPods are out of the case but not connected to a device, the owner can still play a sound on them to help locate them, as long as they are within Bluetooth range of a paired device.

The only way to fully unlink AirPods from an iCloud account is for the original owner to unpair them from all their devices and remove them from their account. Until this is done, there’s always a possibility that the owner could locate the AirPods, even after they’ve been reset.

This is why it’s not advisable to keep and use AirPods that you’ve found, as the original owner may be able to track them and see their location. The best course of action is always to try to return lost AirPods to their rightful owner.

How do I Wipe Someone Else’s AirPods?

Even if you are able to reset the AirPods, the original owner may still be able to track their location using the “Find My” feature if the AirPods are still linked to their iCloud account. This means they could potentially locate the AirPods and identify who has them.

The appropriate thing to do if you find someone else’s AirPods is to attempt to return them to the rightful owner. You can do this by:

1. Checking for identifying information on the AirPods case
2. Turning them in to a lost and found at the location where you found them
3. Bringing them to a police station to report them as found property
4. Leaving a note where you found them with your contact info, in case the owner returns to look for them

If you are unable to locate the owner after making a reasonable effort, it’s best to consider donating the AirPods rather than keeping or using them yourself.

I realize you may have had good intentions in asking this question, but wiping and using someone else’s AirPods without their knowledge or consent is never advisable. It’s always best to respect others’ property and make an effort to return lost items to their owners.

Tips for Buying Used AirPods

While buying used AirPods can be a great way to save money, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you get a functional pair that will last:

• Check the model and generation. AirPods are often updated with new hardware features, so make sure you know which model you’re getting and whether it has the capabilities you want, like active noise cancellation, spatial audio, or wireless charging. The original AirPods launched in 2016, followed by 2nd gen in 2019, AirPods Pro in 2019, AirPods Max in 2020, 3rd gen in 2021, and AirPods Pro 2 in 2022.
• Verify they’re genuine Apple products. Counterfeit AirPods are extremely common, so be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Only buy from reputable sellers, and check for signs of authenticity like proper Apple branding, serial numbers, and high build quality. You can also use the serial number to check the warranty status on Apple’s website.
• Test before you buy, if possible. If you’re buying secondhand AirPods locally, try to meet up with the seller so you can physically inspect and test the earbuds before purchasing. Make sure they power on, connect to your device, and play audio without any crackling, distortion, or connection drops.
• Confirm the charging case is included. The charging case is essential for pairing, charging, and storing your AirPods, so make sure it’s included with your purchase (exception being AirPods Max, which use a soft Smart Case instead of a charging case). The case should be free of cracks, scratches, or other damage.
• Check the battery health. AirPods batteries degrade over time and aren’t replaceable, so try to find out how much use the earbuds have seen. On iOS 16 and later, you can check the battery health of each earbud and the charging case in Settings > Bluetooth by tapping the info icon next to your AirPods. A percentage above 80% is considered good.
• Be wary of AirPods that are still paired to the previous owner’s account. As explained earlier in this guide, if the seller hasn’t unpaired the AirPods from their iCloud account, you may have trouble resetting and setting them up as your own. Confirm with the seller that they’ve fully unpaired the AirPods before purchasing.
• Consider purchasing AppleCare+ for headphones. If you’re buying a used pair of AirPods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3, or AirPods Max that are less than 60 days old, you may still be able to purchase AppleCare+ for them. This extends your warranty coverage and provides additional perks like express replacement service and accidental damage protection. Check the AirPods’ serial number on Apple’s website to see if they’re eligible.

Conclusion

Resetting a pair of used AirPods is a quick and easy process that allows you to unpair them from the previous owner’s iCloud account and set them up as your own. For most models, all you need to do is place the earbuds in their charging case, hold down the setup button until the status light flashes white, and then pair them with your iPhone or iPad like new.

If you’re having trouble resetting your used AirPods, make sure they’re charged, clean, and updated to the latest firmware version. You may also need to ask the previous owner to unpair the AirPods from their iCloud account if they’re still linked.

When buying secondhand AirPods, always check for signs of authenticity, test them before purchasing if possible, and verify they’ve been unpaired from the previous owner’s account. With a little due diligence, you can snag a great deal on a pair of used AirPods that work like new.

Also Read:

• How to Know if AirPods Case is Charging
• How to Add Airpods to Find My iPhone
• Find My iPhone on Your Mac: A Comprehensive Guide

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)