Can Reset AirPods Be Tracked? – A burning question on the minds of many AirPod owners. The straightforward answer is no; once AirPods are reset, they can’t be tracked using the Find My app. Dive in to understand the intricacies behind this!
Tracking Features of AirPods
Apple has a handy feature called Find My AirPods which helps you locate your AirPods if you ever misplace them. This feature is part of the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Under normal situations, when your AirPods are nearby, you can use Find My AirPods to see them on a map, play a sound to find them, or get directions to them. But, if someone resets your AirPods, these tracking features stop working.
The reset erases your AirPods’ memory, including the information that connects them to your Apple ID and Find My app. So, if your AirPods are reset, the Find My app can’t help you find them anymore.
What Happens When AirPods Are Reset
Sometimes, AirPods might not work right, or they might connect to devices you don’t want. In such cases, a reset can help fix these problems. To reset, you put them in their case, then hold a button on the back till a light flashes white.
But, a reset changes some things. It erases the AirPods’ memory, making them forget your devices. This means the Find My feature can’t see them anymore. So, if you lose your AirPods and someone resets them, the Find My app won’t help find them. It’s like the AirPods become invisible to the app, making it impossible to track them using Find My again.
Differences in Tracking Capabilities Between AirPods and Other Apple Devices
Unlike iPhones and iPads, AirPods do not have a feature called iCloud Activation Lock. This feature helps keep iPhones and iPads safe even if they get lost or stolen. But since AirPods don’t have this, after a reset, they become untraceable. So, while you can still track and find lost iPhones or iPads using the Find My app, you won’t have the same luck with AirPods if they are reset. This makes AirPods different and a bit less secure compared to other Apple devices when it comes to finding them if they get lost or stolen.
Potential Workarounds and Tips
Even though reset AirPods can’t be tracked, if they got lost or stolen recently without being reset, there’s still hope. You can use the Find My app to look for them. Before anything happens, set up the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Then, if your AirPods go missing, open the app, select your AirPods from the list, and see where they are on the map. You can also make them play a sound to find them easier. So, even if AirPods are tricky to track after a reset, there are ways to find them if they are not reset yet.
Preventing Unauthorized Tracking
To stop others from tracking your AirPods, you can reset them. This will erase their memory and disconnect them from your Apple ID and iCloud account. Or, you can remove them from your iCloud account on your device. Go to Settings, tap your name, choose Find My, then Devices. Find your AirPods on the list and choose Remove from Account. Now, no one can track your AirPods using the Find My app, keeping your privacy safe.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned about the Find My feature and how it helps find AirPods. But if AirPods are reset, this feature can’t find them. Unlike iPhones and iPads, AirPods lack extra security like the iCloud Activation Lock. Yet, before a reset, using the Find My app can help find lost or stolen AirPods. Also, to keep others from tracking your AirPods, you can either reset them or remove them from your iCloud account. It’s good to know these tips to keep your AirPods safe and enjoy using them without worry!
FAQs
Can AirPods be tracked if stolen?
Yes, but only if they haven’t been reset by the thief. Use the Find My app to track them.
Does resetting AirPods remove the previous owner?
Yes, resetting AirPods disconnects them from the previous owner’s Apple ID and iCloud account.
How do I stop AirPods from being tracked?
You can reset the AirPods or remove them from your iCloud account to stop them from being tracked.
Can someone else track my AirPods?
Only if they have access to your Apple ID and iCloud account. Resetting or removing AirPods from your account prevents unauthorized tracking.