Losing AirPods Pro 3 is frustrating, but Apple built multiple safeguards to help you recover them or replace what’s missing. Understanding how Find My works — and what Apple’s warranty covers — can save time and reduce stress.
How Find My Works With AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 3 are deeply integrated with the Find My network. Each earbud has its own location signal when outside the case, allowing you to see where each one was last detected. If nearby, you can play a sound to help locate them.
The charging case also plays an important role. When it has battery power, the case itself emits a location signal that appears in Find My. If the case battery is empty, Find My will show its last known location instead.
Because the earbuds and case are tracked separately, it’s common to see different locations if they were left behind at different times.
What to Do If You Lost One Earbud
If only one AirPods Pro 3 earbud is lost, Find My lets you isolate that earbud on the map. You can mute the sound from the earbud you still have and play a tone on the missing one to narrow down its location.
This works best when the earbud is outside the case and within Bluetooth or Find My network range. If it’s offline, the app will show the last place it was detected.
What to Do If You Lost Both Earbuds or the Case
If both earbuds are lost together inside the case, Find My will track the case itself as long as it has battery. If the case is out of power, only the last known location will be available.
When recovery isn’t possible, Apple allows you to replace individual components. You don’t need to buy a full new set if only one earbud or the case is missing.
Apple Warranty and AppleCare Coverage
Standard Apple warranty does not cover loss or theft of AirPods Pro 3. However, AppleCare+ for Headphones extends coverage and includes protection for accidental damage, though loss coverage may vary by region.
Even without AppleCare+, Apple offers paid replacement for lost earbuds or cases. Replacing a single earbud is significantly cheaper than buying a full new pair.
Checking your coverage status before visiting Apple Support helps you understand replacement costs upfront.
How to Reduce the Risk in the Future
Keeping Find My enabled at all times is essential. Make sure your AirPods Pro 3 are linked correctly to your Apple Account and that Find My network participation is turned on.
Labeling your case, using notifications for left-behind alerts, and storing AirPods in consistent places can dramatically reduce the chances of losing them again.
While losing AirPods Pro 3 is never ideal, Apple’s tracking tools and replacement options make recovery — or replacement — far more manageable than it once was.
