How to Charge Apple AirPods

This wikiHow will teach you how to charge your AirPods and their case. Generally, this is as simple as putting the AirPods into their case and placing it on a QI-certified wireless charging pad, or using the built-in lightning port to charge if the case does not have a charge.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Charging Wirelessly

  1. Image titled Charge Apple Airpods Step 1
    1
    Put your AirPods in their case. Position the AirPods so the speakers are pointing outwards; they also fit into the molding inside the case when positioned correctly.
  2. Image titled Charge Apple Airpods Step 2
    2
    Close the lid. When you have the AirPods inside the case, you need to close the lid to start charging.[1]
    • If the lid is open, the AirPods will not charge.
    • If the light on the case flicks on, your AirPods are charging with the charge from the case and you can skip the next step. If the light does not turn on, you'll need to set the case on a charging pad.
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  3. Image titled Charge Apple Airpods Step 3
    3
    Place the case on a Qi-certified charging mat. You can purchase these wireless charging pads from most major electronics retailers like Best Buy or the Apple store.[2]
    • You can expect to wait about 15-20 minutes to get a full charge on your AirPods.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Charging with a Lightning Cord

  1. Image titled Charge Apple Airpods Step 4
    1
    Put your AirPods in their case. Position the AirPods so the speakers are pointing outwards; they also fit into the molding inside the case when positioned correctly.
    • Close the lid when you have the AirPods inside the case.
    • If your case has a charge, the light on the outside of the case will flash, indicating that your AirPods are charging, and you can skip the next step. If your case does not have a charge, you'll need to continue to the next step to continue charging your AirPods.
  2. Image titled Charge Apple Airpods Step 5
    2
    Connect the Lightning Cable to the case. The cord you use to charge any Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch will also have a Lightning connection, so you'll be able to use those cords without buying a new one, if you don't have the cord that came with your AirPods.
    • The Lightning port is located at the bottom of the AirPods case.
  3. Image titled Charge Apple Airpods Step 6
    3
    Plug the USB or USB-C side of the cable into a power source. You can use either a laptop or a wall adapter, but charging will be fastest if you charge with a Mac.[3]
    • You can expect to wait about 15-20 minutes to get a full charge on your AirPods.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    My ear pods are 100% charged but the container reads 14%. How do I charge the container to match the pods?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Put your AirPods in the case and let them and them and the case. Depending on what type of case you may have, you may charge them wirelessly or with a cable. When the case is charging, the LED on the case will flash a few times, then turn off.
  • Question
    What color will the light be when airpods are charging? ?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The light will be orange when the case is charging. It will be green when it is charged completely.
  • Question
    When will I know when my air pods are fully charged?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    The light on your AirPods case will be green when it is fully charged. If they are paired with an iOS device, you can check the battery percentage. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, open the lid to the AirPod case and make sure your earbuds are inside it. Hold the case close to your iOS device, and you should see a notification on your screen that lets you know the charge percentage of your AirPods and the case. You can also access the Batteries widget on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. If you have a Mac, open the lid to your AirPods case and remove your AirPods. Click the Bluetooth icon on your Mac's menu bar, then hover your mouse over your AirPods' name to see their charge.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207012
  2. ↑ https://www.apple.com/shop/accessories/all-accessories/wireless-chargers
  3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204178
  4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207012#status

About This Article

Darlene Antonelli, MA
Written by:
Darlene Antonelli, MA
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been viewed 23,600 times.
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Co-authors: 7
Updated: September 6, 2020
Views: 23,600
Categories: IPhone Headphones
Article SummaryX

1. Put your AirPods in their case.
2. Close the lid.
3. Place the case on a Qi-certified charging mat.

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