The AirPod is one of the most ingenious inventions by Apple. The pair is entirely wireless, thus doesn’t come with a cable for charging or any form of connection. This unique design makes new users question how it works and whether the earbuds can function even when the case is not working.
So, do AirPods turn off when the case dies? AirPods will work perfectly even when the case’s battery dies and runs out, or you misplace it. They will keep working and only shut down when the charge depletes. The two do not connect since the link is with the primary device via Bluetooth while the enclosure serves as a power bank. The case is exclusively for charging or storage, thus you don’t need to carry it around unless for the initial pairing.
To understand AirPods better, it is essential to discuss how the AirPods and charging case operate. Here is a glimpse of the AirPods charging system.
AirPods charging is one of Qi’s latest technologies, facilitating wireless powering of gadgets. First, you will need a cable compatible with the case, and after charging it, you will later use it for the AirPods.
The buds are wireless, meaning that there is no way to plug them into a power source, but this design is brilliant because you don’t need extra cords. You will only place them in the case, and they will charge automatically.
The AirPod owes its wireless design to the Qi solution since the charging case is compatible with the system. The same criteria in cordless charging pads are found on many online and physical retail stores. You can purchase the case independently from Apple’s website or buy one with new AirPods.
It is also advisable to ensure that you get the right type that supports Qi technology. Next, plug in the pad and use the case to charge the AirPods. It helps that the AirPods are fast-charging devices, taking about 30 minutes to maximum power, although the case takes longer.
Besides, the buds are not at risk of overcharging because they stop power intake when they get to 100%, even when the case is still plugged in. This design is an excellent feature to make the AirPods truly wireless.
Instead of plugging them, they only require placing inside the charged case to obtain power directly. Moreover, you can monitor the charge level using LED lighting when you open the top of the case.
If it shows amber, it is still charging; otherwise, it will light up green if fully charged. If you have problems with the system, you can always reset the connection or reconfigure the earbuds afresh to troubleshoot. However, if the problem persists, you can seek help from Apple Support.
Do AirPods Turn Off When the Case Has no Charge?
Conventionally, the AirPods charge when you place them in the case, which must charge for it to power the earbuds. A common question among new users is what happens when the case’s battery depletes. Will the AirPods still work?
Your AirPods will work as usual even when the case dies and has no charge. The buds do not connect to the case to operate since they only link with the main device using Bluetooth. You don’t even have to carry the case around when using the AirPod.
Primarily, the box runs like a power bank for the earbuds when their battery dies and is a safe storage space given how tiny they are. You will only need the charging case when the AirPods’ power runs out, and you need to recharge them.
If you had previously paired the device and have fully charged your case and AirPods, you will notice no attachment between the two. The buds will work independently, and you can leave the charging case at school or work.
The case is only handy for the pairing process because the pods must be inside with Bluetooth enabled. You cannot do the pairing unless you have the box. Otherwise, you may have to buy a new one.
Fortunately, you can track it down if you misplaced it. You can use the “Find My iPhone” feature to detect all the paired gadgets from your device, and you will see it light up green if it is near you. Remember that the sole purpose of the case is to charge the device and keep your AirPods safe. The buds cannot charge wirelessly and entirely rely on the system for power.
Since they are tiny devices, it is easy to lose them, but the larger case is a thoughtful way to track them. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about not charging the case because your AirPods work on their own, as long as they still have power.
They do not have any link with the case, only the connected device. You will only need the enclosure for charging when the power depletes, and you can keep them when not in use to keep powering.
How To Connect the AirPods When the Case Is Dead
You have learned how AirPods charge and that they do not turn off when the case’s battery depletes. The follow-up question from new users would be how to connect them when the charging case doesn’t work. Thus, can you use another case?
To use your AirPods with a new case, you can place them inside and long-press the button as you wait for reset. The next step is to sync the two, and you will have connected the pods with a new case.
You can link the AirPods if the case is dead as long as they have enough charge and you had previously connected the two. You will go to your phone’s main screen with the pods close to you, but inside the case, press connect and follow the setup process or use Siri if you have AirPods Pro. If successful, you will get a “DONE” notification, and you will have set the pods in the system.
While you can connect AirPods to a dead or new case, it is impossible to do this if you have not previously paired the two. You cannot connect if it is a new purchase until you power the case. If you were worried that you lost your case, you would be glad that a workaround only takes a few steps. You can always buy a new one and sync it with the AirPods. First, ensure that your AirPods are inside or near your phone as you open the home screen.
Tap “Connect” for setup as you follow the stepwise processes or use Siri with your AirPods Pro. You will get the “DONE” confirmation when everything is set, and the pods will automatically save on your iCloud account on your phone. It is equally easy to connect the earbuds without the case, and the only rule is that you must have previously paired them to your phone and are only trying to reconnect.
First, open the Control Center from the top of the screen and long-press the device’s audio card in the top right. Afterward, click the AirPlay icon and select AirPods from the available Bluetooth gadgets. They should now link with the iPhone, and you are free to use them. Otherwise, if unavailable in the list, perhaps they don’t have enough power, or it’s your first time pairing them.
Do AirPods Still Work When the Case Dies?
Apple’s AirPods are gaining popularity thanks to their ease of use and convenience. Their functionality is excellent, and they come with a case that is an essential component for charging and storage. A question that comes to mind when you start using AirPods is what happens when the case dies.
AirPods will continue to function provided they have enough charge before the case goes off and dies. Besides charging, the earbuds don’t rely much on the enclosure to run. Therefore, the enclosure often holds the AirPods when not in use.
Also, the box powers the devices and comes in handy when you want to sync the earbuds to an output device like your iPhone. Hence, after charging and initiating the initial pairing, the case and AirPods are separate unless you run out of power.
You don’t need to panic if you are using the AirPods and suddenly notice that the case switches off because it doesn’t affect the earbuds. You are free to keep listening to the earpiece until you get battery-low alerts, for which you must find the enclosure and place the pods inside for charging. Similarly, lack of power in the AirPods’ case doesn’t impact the earplugs’ functionality, as long as you have adequate power to keep them on.
Also, you may wonder why the case depletes its power unexpectedly fast. If this happens to you, your lithium-ion battery is likely worn out due to wrong usage or prolonged use, damaging dry cells. If the battery is working perfectly at full charge, the case should last a few days, but the charge on the earplugs will depend on how much you use them.
They can last a few hours if you use them often for music or calls. Normally, the AirPods should run out of power while the case is still active. You can charge the case first, insert the earplugs later, or let them power up simultaneously. This way, you will get them fully charged and continue listening with your AirPods.
Will AirPods Turn off if Not in Case?
Unlike regular earplugs, AirPods have rechargeable batteries. Users place them in a charging pod, which is part of the purchase, thus there is no need for cords. It begs the question of whether the AirPods will turn off if you remove them from the case.
The AirPods remain active outside their case even when you flip the lid open or take them out. The pair is also ready to link with the primary device, but you can tweak some settings to keep them switched off.
Therefore, without any adjustments to the device’s settings, the AirPods will remain running provided that the docking lid is open. You can activate the double-tap feature and enable the ear detection system to read automatically.
AirPods won’t switch off once you remove them from their enclosure, which is the point of the design. It is supposed to be a wireless device that stays running and is always ready to pair. They are off only when charging and closed inside the case but opening the lid turns them on.
Besides enclosing the earplugs in the dock, you can activate or configure automatic detection and double-tap when necessary. Alternatively, you can also shut them down automatically when outside the case.
If you don’t want to use the case to turn off the earbuds, you can enable the double-tap. Open the settings on your phone, open Bluetooth, and click on the icon in front of “Your-AirPods”.
On the next window, pick either the left or right AirPod, and another window will open, prompting you to turn off the particular earbud. Lastly, you can try double-tapping the specific AirPod and see whether it switches off. Now you can repeat the procedure for the other earplug.
Automatic ear detection is an excellent method to turn off the AirPods where you go to settings and select the Bluetooth icon from your iPhone. On the following window, find “Your-AirPods” and press the icon next to it before toggling on the “Automatic Ear Detection”.
With this setup, the AirPods will turn off when you remove them from your ears, and they are outside the case. Switching off the earpiece helps in conserving power, preventing frequent charging.
Summary
If you have recently bought your first pair of AirPods, you must have had several questions about how they charge, and, hopefully, you now have your answers. You will buy them alongside the case that is essential for charging.
While you must plug it in for power, you only need to place the pair inside to charge them. Therefore, the case is a power bank and storage for the earbuds. Luckily, the two are independent components, and the pods don’t rely on the case to work.
Once fully charged, you can remove and use them until the battery depletes. It is only then that you will need the case for recharging. Besides, they will keep working even when the enclosure dies, and if lost, you can link with another case.
