What Does the Button On the Back of AirPods Do? (Make the Most of Them)

Explore the functionality of the button on the back of your AirPods. Uncover how it plays a pivotal role in connecting your device to other gadgets, resetting your AirPods, and troubleshooting common issues. Delve into the simplicity and power of this tiny yet mighty feature.

The Apple AirPods have a range of unique features and functionalities that can be intimidating, especially for first-time users. Also known as the setup button, the button on the back of the Airpods case is one distinguishing feature that confuses Airpod users. While this unique button might be assumed to have no particular purpose, it comes in handy when solving connection issues caused by incompatible devices (even the most experienced Airpod users might not know this functionality!).

Read on to learn how to fully utilize the AirPods setup button!

Table Of Contents

How to Use the Button on the Back of the AirPod Case

You can use the setup button to;

1. Reset Your Airpods

If your Airpod has any bugs or incorrect settings causing audio stutters or sudden disconnections, resetting the device is a fresh start. And here is how to reset your Airpod using the setup button;

Step 1: Place the Airpods inside the charging case, close the lid, and wait for about 30 seconds. By doing so, the AirPods will disconnect from the connected device, and at the same time, they will be charging. After 30 seconds, open the lid to confirm the disconnection.

Step 2: On your Apple device, start the Settings app and navigate to the Bluetooth devices area.

Step 3: Locate your AirPods from the list of devices and tap on the “i” symbol.

Step 4: Next, tap “Forget Device” and touch the “Confirm” option to wind up the process.

Step 5: With your phone within the connecting range, open the lid of your AirPods case and long-press the setup button for about 15 seconds. The indicator light should flash from amber to white, signaling the factory resetting is successful.

Step 6: Close the cover and hold on for at least 15 seconds before reopening the lid. Once you reopen the cover, bring the charging case close to the device you intend to pair them with. Verify the connection by tapping “Connect” on the popup window on your device.

Note: Your Airpods should have at least a 50% charge before you initiate the reset process. Resetting your AirPods deletes all saved data and restores them to the condition they were in when they were shipped from the manufacturer.

2. Enable Manual Pairing

Airpods are made to automatically pair with your iOS device or Mac once you open the Airpod case lid. However, the automatic pairing will not happen if you use non-Apple devices. Similarly, the Airpods might struggle to auto-connect when switching from one device to another. Both situations warrant the use of the setup button to enable manual pairing. Here is how to go about it;

Step 1: Open the AirPods case’s lid and press the setup button until the status light flashes white.

Step 2: Open the Settings menu on your non-Apple device and turn on Bluetooth.

Step 3: Your device (Android or Windows phone) should now be searching for discoverable Bluetooth devices. Once Airpods appear in the list, tap on it to pair it with your device.

You should now be able to listen to audio playing or emanating from your paired device through your AirPods. Next time you open your AirPods case lid, your non-Apple device should connect automatically.

Note: AirPods paired with non-Apple devices will have limited features. For instance, the AirPods will not disconnect automatically when you double tap it or even after removing the headphones.

AirPods' Setup Button Won't Work? Here's What You Should Do

Even though the setup button can clear bugs and improper settings, it isn’t immune to malfunctioning. The feature might fail to work due to hardware problems or hygiene issues. Here is what to do when the setup button suddenly fails to work.

Clean the Airpods Case

Dirt and debris can effortlessly clog your Airpods, especially when you fail to clean them regularly. When the dirt and debris accumulate, it clogs and blocks the setup button causing it to malfunction. Here is how to clean it, but first;

You’ll need:

Cotton swabs
70% isopropyl alcohol
A toothpick
A toothbrush
A piece of lint-free cloth

To clean the case;

Step 1: Use a toothbrush to brush your AirPods case's edges and sides. Doing so breaks clumps of dirt and debris that might have accumulated.

Step 2: Pick out the stuck debris inside the crevices of the case using a toothpick.

Step 3: Damp the lint-free cloth in the 70% isopropyl alcohol and use it to rub the outside surface of your AirPods and the case.

Step 4: Use the cotton swabs to reach the interior parts of the case.

Contact Apple

If cleaning the Airpods case doesn’t solve the malfunctioning of the setup button, the problem could be hardware related. If this is the case, contact Apple Support! Use the Apple Support app to access solutions efficiently.

If your AirPods have a valid warranty, Apple might replace them.

Airpods: How to Make the Most of Them

Here are some super handy tips to help you enjoy your AirPods to the fullest;

Wear one Airpod to save battery life: Ideally, Airpods will give you up to 5 hours of listening to audio on a single charge. If you are on a long journey with no access to power for recharging your charging case, use one Airpod while the other is charging. Doing so, you will have more listening time through the earbud than when using the two Airpods.
Keep an eye on your Airpods battery life: A quick way to monitor your AirPods charge is to add the battery widget to your Apple device home screen. The widget will display your AirPods battery level whenever they are in use.
Use the Find My app to track down lost Airpods: Airpods are easy to misplace or lose because of their small size. When this happens, open the Find My app, choose the Devices tab, and tap on your Airpod from the list. The app will show the last location where the AirPods were paired to your phone.

Conclusion

The button on the back of the Airpod case, aka the setup button, comes in handy when you want to reset your AirPods or manually connect them to a non-Apple device. However, the setup button can sometimes fail to work when it's clogged with dirt and debris or has a hardware problem. You can resolve the former by cleaning the Airpods case, while the latter will require you to contact the Apple Support team.