Airpods Connecting While In Case? – Best Fixes

It is no news Apple has mastered the seamless gadget experience with the introduction of their flagship earphones, but sometimes, there can be a fallout in the functioning of your AirPods. When you have paired your AirPods to your device, you only have to bring them out of their case for them to connect to your device and put them into the charging case to up their charge and they disconnect automatically. 

Sometimes you find your AirPods connecting while in case and this can be worrying. 

Here are the possible causes and top fixes for this issue.

AirPods connecting while in case? Possible causes 

When you put your AirPods in their charging case, they disconnect automatically from your device and start to charge. If your AirPods are still connecting while in their case, here are some possible reasons why: 

• Debris buildup

A buildup or cake of debris from dust, your sweat, or bodily oils can coat the terminal and keep the AirPods from connecting to your device the right way. 

• The case has developed a charging problem

Your AirPods won’t connect to your device while still in the case if there’s a charging problem with the case or the AirPods. 

• Your AirPods are on full 100% charge

The main use of a charging case is to charge your AirPods. When the AirPods have reached a 100% charge level, they can stop charging and connect to any device they have been previously paired with. 

• Trying to pair the already paired device to another Bluetooth accessory

Attempting to pair a device that you have previously paired with your AirPods to another Bluetooth accessory can cause some kind of unauthorized connection with your AirPods while they’re in the case. Some users have experienced this problem when trying to connect their phones to their car Bluetooth speaker and their AirPods seem to wake up and connect while in their charging cases. 

• A minor glitch in the software

If your AirPods are connecting to your device in their case, there’s a likelihood that this problem stemmed from a software issue probably caused by a bug. Not to worry though, this switch-up is usually harmless and can be fixed in the blink of an eye with a simple reset procedure. 

• AirPods case is open

If your AirPods case is open while they’re still in the case then they may connect automatically to previously paired devices. This is a pretty common cause if AirPods connect while they’re still in their case. 

AirPods connecting while in case? Working fixes

Fix 1. Disable your Bluetooth from settings

This is the easiest fix. You can stop your AirPods from connecting while they’re still in the case by simply turning off your device’s Bluetooth. This will stop the unauthorized connection as your AirPods needs a Bluetooth connection to work. 

Fix 2. You should try resetting your AirPods

If the issue persists, you may need to reset your AirPods. Here’s how:

1. Press the button at the back of the AirPods charging case and hold it down for up to 20 seconds.
2. Release the button when the LED light starts blinking white and voila.

Fix 3. Unpair and re-pair your AirPods and your device

If the above fixes didn’t work out, you should try unpairing and re-pairing your AirPods with your device.

Here’s how to do that:

On your iPhone go to Settings >> Locate Bluetooth and tap on it >> Locate your AirPods and tap on ‘i’ by the right of your AirPods name >> Choose the ‘forget this device’ option and affirm your choice >> Put your AirPods into the charging case and leave to charge >> Open your AirPods charging case and place it close to your phone >> Tap connect on the control pop-up that appears on your screen >> As soon as they have connected, place your AirPods back into their case to check if they are still connecting while in the case. 

Fix 4. Update your AirPods firmware

Having old firmware can cause connectivity problems for your AirPods. Getting the latest firmware updates for your AirPods will prevent them from connecting while in the case or having other connectivity problems.

You can update your AirPods firmware by:

1. Make sure they are connected to your device through Bluetooth first.
2. Connect the case to power and close the lid while the AirPods are inside.
3. Leave the AirPods overnight so that the firmware can be updated. 

Fix 5. Clean the case’s charging port

Debris or dust in the AirPods case’s charging port can give rise to connectivity issues. You can clean the charging port by gently wiping off the terminal. This will help get rid of body oil, dust, or sweat that may have caked the terminal.

• Fix 6.  Restart your device (iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad).
• Fix 7. Update your iPhone’s, iPad’s, or iPod touch’s iOS software.
• Fix 8. Contact Apple to make arrangements to get them repaired.
• Fix 9. Reach out to Apple for a replacement.

Ultimately, if any of these fixes haven’t worked for you, you should consider getting a replacement. Replacements are free if your AirPods are still within the warranty window and otherwise if they are not.

How do I stop my AirPods from randomly connecting?

• Turn off your device’s Bluetooth from settings.
• Ensure the AirPods charging case is closed.
• Reset your AirPods.
• Clean the charging terminal of your AirPods to ensure a more efficient connection.
• Unpair your AirPods and device and re-pair. 
• Keep your AirPods firmware up-to-date.
• Restart your iPhone.

– Send your AirPods for repair or replacement.

Detailed steps for the above fixes can be found earlier in this post.

Read also: Airpods Disappeared from Find My iPhone

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my AirPods randomly connect?

Common reasons as to why your AirPods randomly connect to your device include:
Old firmware update, dirt/debris in the case’s charging port, open charging case, bugs that can impair connectivity, a glitch in the software, and an enabled Bluetooth. Quick and straightforward fixes to these issues were detailed earlier in this post.

Should AirPods connect while in case?

Yes and no. AirPods connecting while the lid of the case is closed is a sign that there may be a problem somewhere.
Meanwhile, when AirPods connect while the lid of the charging case is open, that’s normal and does not pose any signs of concern.

Why do my AirPods switch between devices?

When you’re signed in on different Apple devices with the same Apple ID, your AirPods will consistently switch between activities on the different devices. Your AirPods will automatically connect to whichever device you are listening to at the time.

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