image of an airpods with text that says how to tell if your airpods are charging

How To Tell If Your AirPods Case is Charging

Written by: Darlene

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Time to read 5 min

Is Your AirPods Case Charging Check for These Signs

Ever reached for your AirPods only to find the case isn't charged? Not knowing whether your case has enough charge can be frustrating and may disrupt your music experience. In this guide, let's clear up any confusion about checking your AirPods' charge levels to ensure you're always ready to listen to your favorite tunes.

Understanding the LED Indicator

When it comes to your AirPods, that little LED light indicator on the case is more informative than you might think. It's there to give you a quick, visual update on your case's battery status. Let's dive into what each color means, so you can interpret its signals without any guesswork.


Green: Fully Charged and Ready


Seeing a green light? It means your AirPods case is fully charged. If your AirPods are inside the case, they’ve soaked up all the power they need, too.


Amber: Charging in Progress


An amber light is like a heads-up that your case is currently recharging its battery. And if you’ve got your AirPods inside, they’re getting juiced up as well.


No Light: Check Your Power Source


No light? This could mean a couple of things: either your AirPods case is completely out of charge, or it's not currently charging for some reason.


First, make sure it's properly connected to a power source. If it is and you still don’t see a light, it might be time to troubleshoot.


Checking Charge with Your Apple Device

a picture shows airpods and charger with a text on image that says is your airpods charging?

Alternative Methods for Checking Charge

Don't have your AirPods case within reach or prefer using other devices? No problem at all. There are a few slick tricks to keep tabs on your charge levels.


Without Case


If your AirPods are connected to your iPhone or iPad, you can check it's charge level. Just open your device and follow these steps:


  1. Swipe to Open the Control Center: On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge.

  2. Locate the Battery Widget: This neat little section shows you the juice left on various connected devices, including your AirPods.

  3. Check those Percentages: No case needed; you can see the individual battery levels for each AirPod. If they're not displaying, they might not be connected properly. Give them a little nudge into your ears, or reconnect via Bluetooth.


Using a Mac


So you're working on your Mac and curious about how much listening time you have left? Easy peasy:


  1. Click the Bluetooth icon. Scope it out in the menu bar at the top of your screen. If it's not there, open System Preferences, click Bluetooth, and make sure 'Show Bluetooth in menu bar' is checked.

  2. Hover over your AirPods: Once you find them listed in the dropdown menu, you'll see a neat little battery level indicator next to them. Simple!


Ask Siri


Voice commands? Siri's there for you. Here's how to do it:


  1. Call Siri: You can say "Hey Siri" or long-press the Home or Side button on your device to get Siri's attention.

  2. Ask away: Once Siri is listening, say "How's the battery on my AirPods?" Siri will then read out your current battery status.


Charging Limitations


Remember, AirPods must be in their case to charge. They cannot charge independently.

Troubleshooting Tips for Charging AirPods

Experiencing charging issues with your AirPods can be a bit of a hiccup. Let's walk through some quick-and-easy fixes that can often solve the problem:


Clean Charging Port


Dust and lint have a knack for finding their way into the smallest of spaces, including your AirPods case's charging port.


  1. Grab a dry cotton swab; this simple tool is often all you need.

  2. Gently insert it into the charging port of the case. A soft touch is crucial here to avoid any damage.

  3. Twirl and remove the swab, then inspect it for any gunk it might have picked up. If you see debris, you're on the right track!

  4. Repeat if needed, until the cotton swab comes out clean. This small act can make a big difference in charging performance.


 Check Case & AirPods


An improper connection often throws a wrench in the charging process.


  1. Open the case and take a quick peek inside for any obstructions or debris.

  2. Place your AirPods back in the case, making sure each one fits snugly into its designated spot. They should click into place if aligned correctly.

  3. Gently press down on each AirPod to ensure a complete connection. Sometimes, a slight adjustment is all it takes.


Inspect Cable & Charger


Not all charging accessories are created equal, and sometimes they're the source of our troubles.


  1. Switch out your charging cable with another one that's compatible with your AirPods case. If the lights blink back to life, you've pinpointed the issue.

  2. Try a different power adapter. A faulty adapter can often masquerade as a bigger problem.

  3. Confirm the charge once you've swapped out accessories. If everything lights up as expected, you've cracked the case.


Test Different Outlet


Believe it or not, sometimes it's as simple as the power outlet being uncooperative.


  1. Unplug from the problematic outlet and opt for a change of scenery.

  2. Choose a different outlet, ideally one you know works well with other devices.

  3. Plug in and observe. If your case springs to life with a reassuring light, you've found the simple solution to your charging drama.

image of airpods with question mark and battery level

Final Thoughts

Understanding how to check your AirPods’ battery levels simplifies your user experience, ensuring you never run out of juice unexpectedly. With these tips, you're all set to enjoy your AirPods to their fullest. If you're looking to enhance your experience even more, consider exploring the best AirPods case options available on the market to provide your device with extra protection and style.

Explore a wide variety of AirPods cases by visiting our store now! Enhance your experience with the perfect case today.

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Can I Use AirPods While Charging the Case?

Absolutely, you can still enjoy using your AirPods while their case is charging. Just plug in the case, pop in your AirPods, and keep grooving to your playlist without missing a beat.

How Long Does It Take to Fully Charge AirPods?

Typically, charging both your AirPods and their case will take about 2 hours. This full charge provides you with hours of listening time, ensuring your tunes keep playing as long as you need them.

How to Check AirPod Battery on Android?

Since Android doesn't have a built-in way to check AirPod battery levels, you might want to explore third-party apps designed for this purpose. Apps like 'AirBattery' or 'Podroid' can help you keep an eye on your battery status effectively.

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Darlene Aberin

Content writer of Thinborne - The super thin phone case made of aramid fiber.


"I'm a tech enthusiast deeply passionate about all things related to smartphones. With extensive experience in the tech industry, I specialize in offering insightful tips and tricks to help users maximize their smartphone usage. When I'm not immersed in the latest mobile tech developments, I love losing myself in a good book or exploring new destinations."