Your AirPods might take a while to pair. If you get an alert that they aren't paired or that pairing is incomplete, wait for a few minutes. Then try these troubleshooting steps:
- Update to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. Some AirPods and some Find My features work only with the latest version of iOS or iPadOS.
- Make sure you've turned on Find My on your iPhone or iPad.
- If you haven't, turn on Find My network for your iPhone or iPad.
- If you haven't, turn on Find My network for your AirPods.
- If you haven't, turn on two-factor authentication for your Apple ID.
- If you haven't, turn on iCloud Keychain.
- In the Settings app, tap Bluetooth and make sure that it's turned on.
- In the Settings app, check for an alert to Update Apple ID Settings. If there's an alert, follow the prompts to finish the setup process.
- Close the lid of your charging case, wait a few moments, then open the lid again.
After about a minute, pairing should be complete and the alert should no longer appear.
Still not working? Reset your AirPods, then add them in the Find My app again.