If you are frustrated with the annoying left-behind location notifications for your own AirPods on the connected device, or if someone else’s earbuds are detected nearby by your iPhone or iPad, you may want to disable these alerts. Let’s show you 4 ways to do this quickly.

Why did I get a notification that AirPods are tracking my location?

You received a notification because an unfamiliar set of AirPods, separated from their owner, was detected traveling with you over time.

Why does this happen?

• Borrowed Items: You might be carrying a pair of AirPods borrowed from a friend or family member.
• Nearby Commuter: Someone near you on a bus, train, or in a crowded area has left their earbuds behind, and your phone registered their movement alongside yours.
• Unwanted Tracking: Someone may have intentionally placed them near you to track your location without your consent.

How to disable AirPods found moving with you notification?

To stop unwanted tracking and get rid of the notification about an unknown set of AirPods moving with you, use your iPhone’s Find My app to locate and disable them.

1. Open the AirPods Found Moving With You alert on your iPhone.
2. Tap Continue and select Play Sound to hear where the unknown AirPods are hidden.
3. Search your pockets, bags, or car for a misplaced case or stray earbud.
4. If you find an unknown device and suspect malicious tracking, open the Find My app, go to Items, and select Unknown Items Detected with You.
5. Tap Instructions to Disable on your screen and follow the steps to stop the AirPods from tracking and sharing their location with the owner.

How do I turn off AirPods location notifications on my iPhone?

To turn off AirPods location notifications (such as “Notify When Left Behind”), remove them or disable the feature via the Find My app.

1. Disable the Notify When Left Behind feature

If you want to stop AirPods from sending you tracking notifications when you don’t carry them with you, use the Find My app on your iOS device to disable this option.

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch via Bluetooth.
2. Open the Find My app, select Devices, and choose your AirPods. 
3. Then, scroll to Notifications > Notify When Left Behind and toggle it off.
4. Tap Continue and select Done.

2. Use the device settings menu

Another method to disable your own AirPods location pings is through the iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch Settings menu. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple device and select Bluetooth.
2. Tap the i icon that shows next to the name of your AirPods.
3. Select Forget This Device and confirm again.

Tip: You can also toggle off Bluetooth on your device to turn off AirPods location notifications instantly.

3. Limit Find My access for location sharing

You can also restrict the Find My capabilities to your current location. Doing this halts AirPods tracking notifications on your Apple device but also results in your contacts not being able to trace you anymore.

1. Open Settings on your Apple device and head to Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. Scroll and tap Find My.
3. Under Location Access, choose Never.

4. Turn off location sharing altogether

You can also totally disable location services for a specific user or device to get rid of AirPods tracking notifications:

1. Launch the Find My app and then tap People.
2. Here, tap Stop Sharing My Location.
3. Now select a person or device, and they won’t get your AirPods location notifications.

Why does it say my AirPods are with me when they’re not?

The Find My app often shows your AirPods are with you because it relies on the last recorded Bluetooth connection to your phone rather than live GPS.

If they are nearby (such as dropped between car seats or hidden inside a jacket pocket), your phone may hold an old location pin.

The mapping feature frequently lags and can incorrectly mirror your phone’s current movement.

Can AirPods give a false location?

Yes, AirPods can display a false or inaccurate location alert in the Find My App. They do not have their own GPS or Wi-Fi chips and rely entirely on nearby Apple devices via Bluetooth to report their position. 

The location on the map often belongs to the iPhone, iPad, or Mac that last “heard” or connected to the AirPods, rather than the AirPods themselves. 

Also, a stranger’s Apple device passing near your lost AirPods can relay an incorrect location to your iCloud account, making the pin jump to a random neighbor’s house or a completely different town. 

If the AirPods are dead or out of range, the Find My Network displays their last recorded spot, which might be hours or days old. 

Do AirPods show location when not in use?

AirPods show a last known location when not in use, but live tracking depends on whether they are in their charging case and if the Find My Network is turned on.

How to mute AirTag tracking notifications?

To silence or pause an unwanted AirTag tracking notification on your iPhone, tap the notification on your screen and select Pause Safety Alerts to stop alerts for 24 hours.