How to Remove AirPods from Apple ID Settings?

If you plan to sell or give away your AirPods or simply need to resolve a technical issue, it’s essential to know how to reset your AirPods and remove them from your Apple ID. 

Resetting your AirPods can fix malfunctioning controls, connectivity problems, or charging difficulties.

However, resetting them won’t always unlink them from your Apple ID, which is necessary when passing them to a new owner.

Apple has made AirPods easy to set up, offering automatic pairing and a seamless device experience.

But when your AirPods stop functioning correctly, resetting them can resolve many issues quickly.

A security feature on AirPods Gen 3, AirPods Pro 1 and 2, and AirPods Max can create complications for refurbished or second-hand devices.

This feature prevents the AirPods from being disconnected from the previous owner’s Apple ID even after a factory reset. 

To remove AirPods from an Apple ID, you must go through a separate process, ensuring that the following user can easily pair the AirPods to their device.

How to Factory Reset AirPods and AirPods Pro?

• Place both AirPods in the charging case if they aren’t already inside.

• Close the lid and wait for at least 30 seconds.

• Open the lid and go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

• Tap on your AirPods at the top (skip to step 6 if they don’t appear).

• Scroll down, select Forget This Device, and tap it again to confirm.

• Keep the charging case open, then press and hold the button on the back until the LED flashes amber and then white.

Your AirPods are ready to reconnect unless paired with someone else’s Apple ID. Follow the steps below to resolve that issue.

If your AirPods still don’t pair, take them to an Apple Store for a manual firmware update or repair.

How to Reconnect AirPods?

• With the charging case open, bring it close to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

• A prompt will appear on your screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.

How to Remove AirPods from Apple ID?

If you plan to sell or give away your AirPods, removing them from your Apple ID is crucial.

Failing to do so could cause problems for the new owner, as the AirPods will remain connected to your account.

Follow these steps to ensure the new user can set them up correctly:

• Open the Find My app on your iPhone or iPad.

• Tap the Devices tab at the bottom of the screen, then select your AirPods from the list.

• Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Remove This Device.

If you follow these steps while your AirPods are out of Bluetooth range and sell them, the buyer must reset them before pairing.

If you bought second-hand AirPods and see a message that they are still connected to another Apple ID when setting them up, ask the previous owner to follow the instructions above.

If you cannot contact the original owner, returning the AirPods may be your only choice.

According to Apple, the steps in the Find My app are the only way to unlink AirPods from an Apple ID. Even Apple cannot remove the Pairing Lock for you.

If you plan to sell your AirPods on sites like eBay, reset them and remove them from your Apple ID.

If you are the buyer, ask the seller to confirm they have completed the process before purchasing. That helps prevent setup problems later.