Your AirPods Max should flash amber, then white, during a factory reset. When the buttons do nothing, the light stops at amber, or the headphones refuse to pair afterward, the official fixes start with power and button timing. Work through the steps below in order before moving to service.
Charge them before trying the reset again
Connect AirPods Max to power before you press the reset buttons again.
Charge them to at least 50 percent before restarting or resetting.
Use the cable that came with them, and plug it firmly into the bottom-right earphone and the USB power adapter.
Plug the adapter into a working power outlet.
If they were drained, leave them charging for at least five minutes.
When you are not using them, place them in the Smart Case while they charge so they enter ultra-low power mode.
A low battery can make the reset sequence look dead even when the buttons are working.
Use the exact factory reset timing
Use this when AirPods Max respond to button presses but never reach the white reset light. A factory reset is longer than a restart, so the release point matters.
On the right headphone, press and hold the listening mode button and the Digital Crown at the same time.
Keep holding for 15 seconds.
Release after the LED flashes amber, then white.
Connect AirPods Max again to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or another Bluetooth device.
Restart first if you only need a fresh connection
Use a restart when the headphones are stuck but you do not want to erase pairing; release at the amber flash because holding longer turns it into a factory reset.
- 1.Press and hold the listening mode button and the Digital Crown at the same time.
- 2.Watch the status light next to the charging port.
- 3.Release the buttons as soon as the light flashes amber, at around 10 seconds.
- 4.Try pairing or playing audio again.
Forget AirPods Max on your Apple devices
On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap the name of your AirPods near the top of the screen, then tap Forget This Device. That removes the AirPods from all devices signed in to the same Apple Account.
On Mac, open System Settings, click the name of your AirPods in the sidebar, then click Forget This Device. Retry the reset and pairing after the old Bluetooth record is removed.
On Apple Watch, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, tap the Info button next to the AirPods, then tap Forget Device. On Apple TV, open Settings, select Remotes and Devices, choose Bluetooth, select your AirPods, then select Forget This Device.
Remove Find My Lock when they belonged to someone else
This applies when the AirPods Max were bought used, handed down, or still tied to another Apple Account. A factory reset does not remove Find My Lock; the current or previous owner must remove the headphones from the account.
On iPhone or iPad, the owner opens Find My, taps Devices or Items, taps the AirPods Max, swipes up on the handle, taps Remove, Remove Item, or Remove This Device, then taps Remove to confirm.
On Mac, the owner opens Find My, clicks Devices, selects the AirPods Max, clicks the More Info button on the map, then clicks Remove This Device.
If the owner is remote, they sign in to iCloud.com, open Find My or Find My Devices, select the AirPods, then choose Remove or Remove This Device. Apple says it cannot remove Find My Lock for you.
Update the device and AirPods firmware
For iPhone or iPad, back up the device, connect it to power and Wi-Fi, then open Settings > General > Software Update. If an update appears, tap Download and Install and follow the onscreen instructions.
If wireless updating fails, connect the iPhone or iPad to a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder, select the device in the sidebar, click General, then click Check for Update. Choose Download and Update and enter the passcode if asked.
On Mac, open the Apple menu and choose System Settings, click General, then click Software Update. Install any available Update, Upgrade, or Restart Now option before trying reset and pairing again.
For AirPods Max firmware, turn on Bluetooth, connect AirPods Max to an updated iPhone, iPad, or Mac, connect that device to Wi-Fi, plug the charging cable into the bottom-right earphone, and keep the headphones in Bluetooth range for at least 30 minutes. Reconnect them, then check the version in Settings > Bluetooth > Info > About on iPhone or iPad, or Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth > Info on Mac; Apple lists 8E258 for AirPods Max 2, 7E108 for AirPods Max 1 with USB-C, and 6F25 for AirPods Max 1 with Lightning.
Pair again without waiting for the animation
Turn on Bluetooth on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other device you want to use.
On iPhone or iPad, confirm the device is updated and connected to Wi-Fi or cellular.
Take AirPods Max out of the Smart Case and hold them near the iPhone or iPad within 60 seconds.
Follow the setup animation if it appears, then tap Done.
If the animation does not appear, press and hold the listening mode button for about five seconds, until the status light flashes white.
Open Bluetooth settings on your device and select AirPods Max from the device list.
On Mac, open System Settings > Bluetooth, select your AirPods, then click Connect.
On Android or another non-Apple device, turn on Bluetooth; on Android, use Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.
Press and hold the listening mode button for about five seconds, until the status light flashes white, then select AirPods Max when they appear.
Use an Apple device when you need Siri, because Siri is not available on non-Apple devices.
Use a cable while Bluetooth is still unresolved
Use a wired connection to keep listening while Bluetooth reset, pairing, or service steps are still unresolved.
- 1.For AirPods Max 1 with Lightning, connect Apple's Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable to the charging port and to the device's headphone jack.
- 2.For AirPods Max 1 with USB-C or AirPods Max 2, connect Apple's USB-C to 3.5 mm Audio Cable to the charging port and to the headphone jack.
- 3.For AirPods Max 1 with USB-C or AirPods Max 2, connect USB-C to USB-C to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac with a USB-C port; USB-C wired mode requires iOS 18.4, iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, or later.
- 4.For full functionality over USB-C, turn on Bluetooth on the connected device.
Check restrictions and book service
This applies when Bluetooth menus are blocked on a work, school, or organization-managed iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or when the headphones still will not flash white after the reset path above.
On a managed iPhone or iPad, ask the device administrator to allow Modify Bluetooth settings, then retry Settings > Bluetooth.
On a managed Mac, ask the administrator to allow Allow Bluetooth modification, then retry System Settings > Bluetooth.
Do not use freezer tricks, headband disassembly, or internal contact cleaning as reset fixes.
If visible contamination or moisture is involved, clean only the exterior surfaces, cushions, headband, and Smart Case; keep liquid out of openings, avoid sharp or abrasive tools, and let the parts dry before retrying.
If AirPods Max still will not flash white, use Apple Support, the Apple Support app, an Apple Store, or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for guided help, firmware service, repair, replacement, chat, phone support, or a reservation where available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the AirPods Max reset button?
There is no separate reset button. Use the listening mode button and Digital Crown together, then hold until the status light flashes amber and white.
Can I factory reset AirPods Max from Settings?
No. Settings can forget the AirPods and clear the Bluetooth record, but the factory reset itself uses the hardware buttons on the right headphone.
Can Android reset AirPods Max?
No. Reset AirPods Max with the listening mode button and Digital Crown, then pair them through Android Bluetooth settings after the light flashes white.
What if I do not own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac for firmware updates?
Apple says to set up an appointment at an Apple Store or with an Apple Authorized Service Provider to update AirPods firmware.