Buzz
Since AirPods Pro lack a charging indicator light, it can be challenging to know if they are charging, especially when an iPhone or iPad isn’t nearby. However, there’s no need to worry—several straightforward methods allow you to check the charging status and battery level of your AirPods Pro, whether you’re using Android, MacBook, Chromebook, Windows PC, or simply observing the status light on the charging case. This article will guide you on how to tell if your AirPods Pro are charging and what to do if they aren’t.
Steps
Check the Status Light on the Charging Case
When you place your AirPods Pro in the case and close the lid, they will start charging inside the case. You can verify this by opening the lid while keeping the AirPods inside and observing the status light.
- If the status light on the case shows an amber or orange color when you open the lid, the AirPods are charging inside the case.
- When the AirPods are fully charged, the status light will turn green.
To determine if the AirPods Pro case is charging, connect it to a power source and observe the status light. When you place the case on a MagSafe charger, a Qi-certified wireless charging pad, or connect it to a wired charger, the LED light will illuminate for about 8 seconds. The color of the light indicates the charging status of the AirPods.
- If the light is amber or orange, it means the AirPods Pro and the case are charging.
- If the light is green, it means the AirPods Pro and the case are fully charged.
- Note that the status light does not stay on while charging—it turns off after about 8 seconds, which might give the impression that the AirPods are not charging.
If using a wireless charging pad, you can also tap the case while charging to check the status light. This method only works when using a wireless charger and the case lid is closed.
- If you’re using a Lightning cable instead of a wireless pad, tapping the case while charging won’t work.
Check Charging Status on iPhone or iPad
When you have an unlocked iPhone or iPad nearby, open the AirPods Pro case with the earbuds inside. Upon opening the case, the screen will display the charging status and battery levels of both the AirPods and the case.
- A lightning bolt icon next to the AirPods Pro battery icon indicates that the earbuds are charging inside the case. If you don’t see the lightning bolt, the earbuds are either not in the case or the case isn’t charging.
- A lightning bolt icon next to the case’s battery icon indicates that the case is charging. This icon only appears when the case is actively charging.
- You can also ask Siri, "What's my AirPods battery level?" or use the Battery widget on your home screen to check the battery level and charging status.
Check Charging Status on Mac
Open the AirPods case or remove the earbuds from the case. If the AirPods Pro are connected to a Mac, you can check the charging status of the earbuds or the case by accessing the Bluetooth settings.
Hover your mouse over the AirPods in the Bluetooth menu. You’ll now see the battery levels of each AirPod (left and right) as well as the case.
- Unlike on an iPhone or iPad, you won’t see a lightning bolt icon indicating that the AirPods are charging, but if the battery percentage increases over time, you can be sure the AirPods Pro are charging.
- You can also ask Siri, "What's my AirPods battery level?" to quickly get this information.
Check Charging Status on Android or Chromebook
Use AirBattery to check the battery level of AirPods Pro on Android. This free app allows you to view the battery status of your AirPods Pro whenever they’re connected to an Android device or Chromebook, similar to how it works on an iPhone or iPad. You can download AirBattery for free from the Play Store on Android or Chromebook.
- When the AirPods are charging, a lightning bolt icon will appear next to the battery icon for both the earbuds and the case.
- You’ll only see the case’s battery level if at least one earbud is inside the case.
- If your Chromebook doesn’t have the Play Store, you can check the AirPods’ battery level while connected by clicking on Quick Settings in the bottom-right corner and selecting the Bluetooth icon.
Check Charging Status on Windows
When using Windows 10 or Windows 11, you’ll need a battery monitoring app. Windows displays charging information for most Bluetooth devices, except AirPods. MagicPods is an excellent choice with earbud detection support. The app offers a free trial and charges a small fee if you decide to purchase it. Visit https://magicpods.app for more details.
- If you prefer not to pay for an app, you can check the status light on the case to see if the AirPods are charging.
Why Aren’t AirPods Pro Charging?
When using wireless charging, ensure the case is placed face-up on the charging pad. The button and status light should face upward and be centered on a Qi-certified or MagSafe charger. Remove the case and reposition it correctly—if placed properly, the status light will illuminate for about 8 seconds before turning off, indicating the case is charging.
Double-check the connection. If you don’t see the status light on the AirPods Pro after connecting to a charger:
- The wireless charger must be connected to a power source. Ensure the charging cable is securely plugged into the charger’s power port, and the other end is connected to a power source, such as a wall outlet or USB power port.
- If using a Lightning-to-USB cable, disconnect and reconnect it, ensuring the other end is connected to a power source like a wall outlet or USB power port.
- If the light still doesn’t appear immediately after connecting, try a different power source or charging method.
Use a different charging cable or adapter. Non-Apple-certified cables or chargers may prevent your AirPods from charging. Use the cable that came with the case or an Apple-certified Lightning-to-USB cable.
Clean the AirPods Pro. If the issue is that the AirPods Pro case isn’t charging the earbuds, dust or debris might be preventing the earbuds from connecting properly to the case.
Reset the AirPods. If you still can’t charge the AirPods and have tried everything else, resetting them might resolve the issue.
- Place the earbuds in the charging case and close the lid.
- Wait for 30 seconds, then open the lid while keeping the earbuds inside.
- If you don’t have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, press and hold the setup button on the case until the light flashes amber and then turns white. Release the button to reset the device.
- If you do have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, tap the small "i" in a circle next to the AirPods, and select Forget This Device. Press and hold the setup button on the AirPods Pro case until the light flashes amber and then turns white, then release. Now, try charging the AirPods in the case and reconnecting them to your phone or tablet.
Tips
- You can use the AirPods Pro for up to 4.5 hours on a single charge.
- When the AirPods Pro case is fully charged, simply place the earbuds inside to recharge. Placing the AirPods Pro in the case for about 5 minutes provides enough battery for 1 hour of use.
