How to charge your AirPods in 2 ways - wirelessly or with a cable

• To charge your AirPods, place them into their case and close it, and then connect the case to a charger.
• You can't charge AirPods directly — instead, you charge the carrying case, which will charge the AirPods when they're placed inside.
• If you're charging your AirPods case with a cable, you can use the same Lightning cable that you use to charge your iPhone or iPad.
• Some AirPods cases can charge using a wireless charging pad — but only the newer AirPods Pro come with a wireless charging case by default.

Apple's AirPods are a useful tool - at least, when you aren't busy trying to track them down after losing them in the couch cushions.

With their relatively short battery life, though, you'll want to make sure that you keep your AirPods charged. Luckily, charging AirPods is easy.

Unlike some devices, you can't charge the earbuds directly. Instead, you'll charge the carrying case. Then, when you place your AirPods into their carrying case and close it, power will be transferred from the case to the earbuds.

This means that you don't have to be connected to a charger to restore your AirPods. You can charge the case up before you travel, then place the AirPods inside of it while on the go.

There are two ways to charge an AirPods case: with a Lightning cable, or with a wireless charging pad.

How to charge your AirPods with a charging cable

Due to the AirPods' short battery life, it's a good idea to keep the case charged whenever you can.

Every AirPods case has a charging port on the bottom. This port will fit a Lightning cable, which is the same charger that you use for iPhones and iPads. Just plug the charger into your AirPods case and leave it to refill.

Your AirPods case will take a bit more than an hour to get a full charge. Once it does, though, it can fully charge your AirPods multiple times over before needing a refill.

Once you place your AirPods into their case, they should take about 20 minutes to regain a full charge.

How to charge AirPods with a wireless charging case

Every Apple-made AirPods Pro case has wireless charging enabled, and Apple offers wireless charging cases on their website that are compatible with first- and second-generation AirPods.

If you have a wireless charging case, you'll charge it by placing it on a Qi-compatible charging mat.

Once the case is charged, you can place your AirPods inside and let them charge up.

Just note that wireless charging isn't as fast as charging with a cable - it might take longer for your case to refill when using a charging mat.

You can use your Apple devices' Bluetooth to keep tabs on the battery life for your case and AirPods, or even estimate their charge using the LED light on the case if you don't have a paired device with you.

Finally, there are few things you can try if you're having trouble charging your AirPods with any of the aforementioned charging methods.

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