Are you in a situation where you found AirPods how to find the owner is now the challenge? You are not alone. Many people even have asked the same question in the Apple community. But now that you’re here, you’ll get all the necessary information to locate the owner of the missing AirPods or know what to do in this scenario.
AirPods’ small sizes make it possible for users to misplace them often. But unlike mobile phones, you’ll need something extra to locate missing AirPods.
But there are ways to locate your missing AirPods or find the owner of a missing AirPod. We’ll discuss all you need to know in details, here.
So, continue reading if you’re looking for your missing AirPods or found misplaced AirPods and looking for means to locate the owner.
I Found a Pair of AirPods, How Can I Find The Owner?
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If you found a pair of AirPods and wish to return them, there are ways to find the owner. Firstly, resist the urge to reset the AirPods. Why? Once you reset the device, it won’t be possible for the owner to track your location. Another solution is to take the picture and post it on social media along with the location where you found it. If nothing helps, contact 1-800-MY-APPLE.
Another way to locate the owner is to try connecting the AirPods to your phone to know the owner’s name.
A Handy Tip: Note that besides iPhones, you can connect AirPods to your Samsung Galaxy S20 and other Android devices.
You’ll see the owner’s name or whatever the name the device when you connect the AirPods to your mobile device.
If you figure out the owner’s name, you can proceed by asking the people around the vicinity if they are aware of someone looking for missing AirPods.
But if no one is aware of someone looking for misplaced AirPods, please do well to drop your number with a couple of people around the area where you found the AirPods. Who knows, the actual owner may contact you sooner or later.
You can also locate the owner of the missing AirPods on social media platforms. Please take a picture of the AirPods, and post it on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and other local platforms popular in your area.
Furthermore, while uploading pictures of the missing AirPods, don’t forget to include the name the owner gave the device (You can find out by connecting it to your phone’s Bluetooth). With this, even if the original owner doesn’t see your post, someone close to them might.
If all the options prove abortive, consider calling Apple for help with the number 1-800-MY-APPLE.
What Do You Do If You Find Someone’s AirPods?
There are numerous things you can do if you find someone’s AirPods and wish to return them. The first thing is to locate the person that owns the device.
Now, here are other things you can do.
1: Ask around to locate the owner
There’s a chance that the owner of the AirPods is still very much around and looking for the devices. It’s so unfortunate that both of you haven’t crossed part.
Furthermore, there’s a possibility that the person doesn’t even know their AirPods are missing. But they will sooner or later.
So, don’t just leave the area you found the AirPods immediately after picking them up. Ask the people around to know if they dropped their AirPods or know of anyone that has been going around, and ask people if they saw missing AirPods.
Here’s one big reason why you should remain where you found the AirPods for a while. Using the Apple “Find My” App, the AirPods owner can come around and try to connect and locate the AirPods.
So, be patient. Wait a little while. However, if you found the AirPods near a coffee shop or a grocery store, approach any of the staffs there, explain the situation to them, and drop your phone number so the device owner can reach you.
There are approximately 2.9 billion active users on Facebook alone. So, the chance that you may find the owner of the missing AirPods when you make a post on Facebook is high.
Even if the original doesn’t find you, their friend, relative, or colleague, might. So, snap the missing AirPods and post them on Facebook right away.
When posting the device’s picture, endeavor to include important details that can help the owner decipher that it’s their missing device and contact you.
Include the location (where you picked up the AirPods), the name that popped up when you connected the device to your mobile phone, and other relevant details that can help the owner find you. You can also provide your number or urge the owner to leave a message in your inbox.
Besides Facebook, you can post a picture of the missing device on Instagram, TikTok, and other local media platforms popular in your area.
3: Contact the manufacturer
Contact Apple if your attempts to find the owner of the missing AirPods failed. You can call them at 1-800-MY-APPLE.
If you have access to the serial number, you can also inform Apple about this. Just request they track down the owner, but keep in mind Apple may want to thread with caution.
Finding the owner may lead to a breach of privacy, and Apple knows what can happen if they go down this path.
Can AirPods Be Tracked By The Previous Owner?
Yes, AirPods can be tracked by the previous owner. However, your Apple Device’s Bluetooth must be on and connected to the AirPods. And that means you must be within range for this to happen.
If you’re within range and your Apple device connects to the missing AirPods, you can locate where the AirPods are on the map using the “Find My” App.
Once the AirPods connect to your Apple device, you can play a sound via “Find My” App to locate where the AirPods are.
So, please note that you have to be within range (Close the missing AirPods) to track them. If you cannot connect your Bluetooth to the missing AirPods, the only thing you’ll find on the map is the last location the AirPods were found.
Can You Block Lost Or Stolen AirPods From Getting Used?
It is not possible to block lost or stolen AirPods from getting used. AirPods are expensive and boast impressive security features. But Apple didn’t make provision to block them or render them useless once stolen.
The only thing you can wish for is that the missing AirPods land in the hands of a good person. The person should have the intention to return the AirPods to you.
In this case, two things are essential. Have some hope that the person that found the AirPods haven’t reset and connected a new device to them. Secondly, be lucky to be within range to connect your mobile phone to the AirPods, so you can locate where they are via the “Find My” App.
You can mark your AirPods with paints too. Who knows, you might run into the person using your missing AirPods.
Can Someone Find Their Stolen AirPods?
Yes, someone can find their stolen AirPods, but it would depend on the circumstances. Firstly, be hopeful that the person that found the missing AirPods hasn’t reset them. If they have, you may have to rely on luck and a change of heart (on the thief’s part) to find the missing AirPods.
You can track your missing AirPods using the “Find My” App. But this can only be possible if you’re within range and can connect to the lost AirPods via Bluetooth.
Another way to find stolen AirPods is to check your “Find My” app to know the last location the AirPods were at and visit the area. Ask around to know if anyone around the area saw your missing AirPods or can help you find them.
How Do I Remove an Old Owner From My AirPods?
Here are the steps to remove an old owner from your AirPods.
Step 1: Go to your Find My devices App. Then tap on the devices or items tab.
Step 2: Locate the item or device you wish to remove. Tap on it, and after that, swipe up.
Step 3: Tap the icon “Remove This device” or “Remove Item.” Finally, tap to confirm that the device has been removed.
How Far Can AirPods Be Tracked?
The short answer to how far can AirPods be tracked is 40 feet. In other words, if you’re 40 feet away from your missing AirPods, you can track them, provided the devices are on and the person that found the AirPods hasn’t synchronized them with their iPhone.
So, if you’re above 40 feet away from your AirPods, there’s no way you can track them. Even Apple themselves cannot help you in this regard.
Can Reset AirPods Be Tracked?
No, reset AirPods cannot be tracked. In other words, if someone finds your AirPods and decides to reset them, you won’t be able to find them. It doesn’t matter if you’re 40 feet or less from the AirPods.
Once the thief or person that found the missing AirPods resets it and probably, synchronizes their device with the AirPods, the device could be gone forever.
Conclusion
You found AirPods how to find the owner is now the issue. Is this something you are dealing with now? If yes, you’ll find tips on locating the missing owner or making it easier for the AirPods owner to find you.
AirPods are small. So, it’s easier for people to misplace them. You can track missing AirPods, but note that once the device is reset, you can no longer track it.
So, if you find missing AirPods, do everything you can to return them to the owner.
