11 Ways to Fix: AirPods Pop up Not Showing up on iPhone [2024]

It's so frustrating when you go to use your AirPods and that connection popup fails to appear. Instead of zoning out to your playlists wirelessly, you're left with unpaired buds. These hiccups seem to strike from nowhere, quieting your audio just when you need tunes. But don't lose hope yet - this guide has put together the top 11 troubleshooting tips to Fix AirPods Pop up Not Showing up on iPhone issues. Just follow the steps and get your AirPods smoothly connected again in no time. 

Fix 1: Check Battery Levels

Let's start with the obvious potential culprit - battery charge. If either your iPhone or AirPods are low on juice, it can prevent that pop-up from appearing properly.

Plug in your AirPods case to charge for at least 5-10 minutes. This will give the earbuds enough power to activate the Bluetooth pairing mode.

Make sure your iPhone is charged above 20%. Low iPhone battery can interfere with Bluetooth and the AirPods connection pop-up.

Charging both devices eliminates power deficiency as the issue and sets the foundation for a strong AirPods pairing.

Fix 2: Clean Your AirPods

Debris buildup on your AirPods can physically block the sensors responsible for detecting when the case is opened. This stops the pairing signal from initiating.

Use a soft, dry, anti-static cloth to gently wipe down the entire surface of both AirPods. Pay extra attention to the metallic charging contacts and microphone holes where dirt tends to accumulate.

Cleaning removes any dust, pocket lint, or earwax on your AirPods that could be getting in the way of the iPhone popup.

Fix 3: Toggle Bluetooth

A quick Bluetooth reset is an easy connectivity troubleshooting step.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone and toggle the Bluetooth switch off. Count to 10 seconds, then switch Bluetooth back on.

Now try opening your AirPods case. This Bluetooth refresh will often make the popup reappear.

Fix 4: Update Software

Outdated software can wreak havoc on the communication between devices.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any iOS updates available. Keeping your iPhone's operating system current resolves bugs that may block the AirPods popup.

The AirPods firmware will be updated automatically when connected to your iPhone and in charging mode. Keep an eye out for firmware updates to optimize performance.

Updating to the latest versions ensures maximum iPhone and AirPods compatibility.

Fix 5: Forget and Reconnect

If your AirPods are still not popping up, try clearing the slate and setting them up from scratch.

Open the Bluetooth menu in Settings and select the (i) next to your AirPods. Choose “Forget This Device” to erase them from your phone.

Next, place the AirPods in the case, open the lid, and press and hold the small setup button on the back for 15 seconds until the status light flashes white.

This will reset your AirPods and make them discoverable for fresh pairing. Go through the connection process again like new.

Fix 6: Reset Network Settings

iPhone network glitches can also prevent the AirPods pop-up from showing properly.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

This will wipe all WiFi passwords and networks from your device to potentially fix network issues interfering with Bluetooth connections.

Fix 7: Factory Reset AirPods

If you want a deeper reset, you can completely erase your AirPods themselves back to factory settings.

First, unpair the AirPods from your iPhone's Bluetooth menu. Then, with the AirPods in the case, press and hold the setup button on the back until the status light flashes amber, then white.

This factory resets the AirPods entirely, erasing all settings and paired devices. You'll have to set them up like brand new.

Fix 8: Disable Automatic Ear Detection

The AirPods' Automatic Ear Detection is convenient for auto-pausing audio when removing an AirPod. However, it can also contribute to connectivity issues in some cases.

You can turn this feature off by going to Settings > Bluetooth > Tap your AirPods > Automatic Ear Detection.

Test if disabling Auto Ear Detection allows the AirPods pop-up to reappear properly when opening the case.

Fix 9: Switch AirPods to One Ear

Here's one more odd troubleshooting trick - try using just one AirPod instead of two.

Removing one AirPod from the case and pairing with only the single earbud avoids any synchronization issues between the two earbuds that may block the pop-up.

If the pop-up works fine with a single AirPod, the problem lies with syncing the dual AirPods together.

Fix 10: Eliminate Signal Interference

Environmental interference from other Bluetooth devices can disrupt your AirPods connecting to your iPhone.

If you're in an area crowded with active Bluetooth connections - like a gym or busy office - try moving to a location with less congestion.

Also turn off or disconnect any nearby Bluetooth speakers, headphones, or other electronics to eliminate signal conflicts.

Less wireless noise in the background means clearer communication between your iPhone and AirPods.

Fix 11: Reset All iPhone Settings

The nuclear option is to reset all settings on your iPhone. This will erase every custom setting and start the phone from scratch.

Only use this method as an absolute last resort if nothing else has worked. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Your phone will reboot to its out-of-the-box state. You'll have to reconnect to WiFi, redo your wallpaper, and pair all Bluetooth devices again.

Conclusion

In summary, troubleshooting AirPods connection issues involves methodically trying different fixes like charging, cleaning, resetting, and updating to identify the cause. Start with quick fixes like toggling Bluetooth before moving to deep resets. The key is proper maintenance and resetting your devices to refresh the connection. With some diligent troubleshooting, you can get the satisfying AirPods pop-up back on your iPhone. Let us know in the comments if these tips resolve your wireless woes!

FAQs - AirPods Pop up Not Showing up on iPhone

Why is my iPhone not showing AirPods pop up?

This is likely due to a connectivity issue between the iPhone and AirPods. Causes can include low battery, debris buildup, software bugs, Bluetooth interference, etc. Review the troubleshooting tips in the article to resolve it.

Are there any iOS updates that might cause this issue?

Yes, sometimes major iOS updates introduce bugs that affect Bluetooth connectivity and the AirPods pop-up. Check if the issue started after updating and try rolling back or restoring your iPhone to factory settings.

My AirPods connect to my iPhone automatically, but the pop-up still doesn't show?

Even if the AirPods connect, the pop-up may not display due to interference. Try the troubleshooting steps like forgetting the AirPods and re-pairing, turning off Automatic Ear Detection, etc.

Why are my AirPods showing up twice in the Bluetooth menu?

This is likely caused by having both your AirPods and AirPods case paired. Forget both from Bluetooth settings and freshly pair only the AirPods themselves.

How to Remove AirPods From iPhone?

Open Bluetooth settings, tap the "i" next to your AirPods, and select "Forget this Device" to disconnect them from your iPhone.

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