Lost Your AirPods While Traveling? Here’s What to Do Next

Lost your AirPods while traveling? Whether it happened in an airport, Uber, or hotel, here’s how to find them — or what to do if they’re truly gone. Whatever the case, don’t panic. You’ve got options.

Here’s exactly what to do if you lose your AirPods while traveling — plus a few smart ways to avoid it happening again.

Don’t Panic — Try This First

The moment you realize your AirPods are missing, time matters. If they’re still charged and within Bluetooth range, Apple’s Find My feature can help you locate them fast.

Use the Find My App

• Open the Find My app on your iPhone, iPad, or via iCloud.com.
• Tap on the Devices tab and select your AirPods.
• If they’re nearby and powered on, you’ll see their current location.
• Hit Play Sound to trigger a high-pitched chirp from the earbuds (as long as they’re not in the case).

This works best in quiet environments — like a hotel room or quiet terminal — and can help you zero in if they’re under a bed, stuck in a bag, or just out of sight.

Check the Last Known Location

If your AirPods are offline or out of range, Find My will show their last known location before they went dark. Use that as your breadcrumb trail.

Retrace your steps: did you take them out before security? Use them in a rideshare? Leave them charging at the Airbnb?

Sometimes a quick backtrack is all it takes to recover them.

What If Your AirPods Are Offline or Dead While Traveling?

Unfortunately, if your AirPods are in the case with no battery or you’ve left them behind for a while, you may see a “No location found” or “Offline” status. But that doesn’t mean all hope is lost.

Give It Time

Find My updates if the AirPods come online again — for example, if someone opens the case or charges them. It’s worth keeping alerts on just in case they ping later.

Check with Lost & Found

Lost & found success depends on where you lost them:

• Airports: Most have centralized lost & found services. Larger airports may even list lost items online.
• Airlines: If you suspect you left them on a flight, contact the airline directly — seat-back pockets are notorious AirPod traps.
• Hotels or Rentals: Call ASAP. If you’re still nearby, physically check with the front desk or host.
• Rideshares: Use the app to contact your driver quickly — some services offer in-app lost item reporting.

Pro tip: be specific when describing your case. A white AirPods case is…well, not exactly rare.

Mark Them as Lost

If you haven’t already, activate Lost Mode via Find My:

• Open Find My > Devices > Select your AirPods.
• Scroll down and tap Mark As Lost.
• Follow the prompts to leave a phone number and message.

This feature does two things:

1. It locks your AirPods to your Apple ID — if someone else tries to use them, they won’t work.
2. It displays your contact info when they’re found and connected.

While it won’t physically track them if they stay offline, Lost Mode increases your chances of recovery if someone finds them and tries to pair.

Backup Plan: Replacement Options

If you’ve exhausted every lead and they’re truly gone, it might be time to look at replacement options.

Apple’s Replacement Program

Apple offers out-of-warranty replacement for individual AirPods and charging cases. Prices (as of now) are:

• $69 for a single AirPod (2nd gen)
• $89 for a single AirPod (3rd gen or Pro)
• $79–$99 for a replacement case, depending on model

You’ll need your original serial number (usually on the case or original box).

Got AppleCare+?

If you bought AppleCare+ for Headphones, you may get a replacement for $29 per incident — much cheaper.

Credit Card or Third-Party Insurance

Some premium credit cards include travel insurance or lost item protection. Worth checking the fine print — you might be eligible for a partial reimbursement if the loss happened on a trip paid for with that card.

How to Avoid Losing Your AirPods While Traveling

You shouldn’t have to stress over tiny white earbuds every time you travel. Here are some smarter ways to carry and keep track of your AirPods:

Always Use a Dedicated Case

Keep them in their case unless they’re in your ears. Loose AirPods fall out of pockets, bags, and laps constantly.

Even better? Use a case that clips to your bag or has a bright color. A silicone case with a keychain loop is a small investment that prevents a big headache.

Add an AirTag (or AirTag Case)

Some third-party AirPods cases come with built-in AirTag slots. This lets you track the case itself — even if the AirPods are dead. A good option for forgetful travelers.

Avoid the Usual Danger Zones

• Plane seat-back pockets: A black hole for all things small.
• Jacket or hoodie pockets: Easy to fall out unnoticed.
• Unzipped bags: Don’t tempt fate.

Train yourself to always stow your AirPods in the same secure spot.

Final Thoughts

Losing your AirPods mid-trip sucks, but you’ve got tools and backup plans. Act quickly, use Find My to your advantage, and don’t overlook old-school lost & found methods. And if they’re truly gone? Take it as a lesson — and maybe upgrade your case game before the next flight.

Tony Simons

Tony has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and over 11 years of writing experience between multiple publications in the tech, photography, lifestyle, and deal industries.