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How to turn off your Apple AirPods Max
If you are reading this, it’s because you’ve probably noticed that the AirPods Max don’t have a power button. So, how the heck do you turn them off? For a company that caters to convenience and simplicity, Apple has overcomplicated something as basic as an off switch. Don’t worry; we’re here to help. Here are a few things you can do to turn off your AirPods Max.
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Unfortunately, there is no way to turn off your AirPods Max except by letting the battery die completely. If you want to preserve battery life, the simplest way to do this is to put them in the Smart Case. This will put the headphones in a low-power mode. After 18 hours in the case, the headset will go into ultralow power mode, which turns off Bluetooth and Find My capabilities.
Keep reading to learn more about these power modes for putting your AirPods Max to sleep.
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How to put AirPods Max in low-power mode
The simplest way to enter low-power mode is to put your AirPods Max inside the included Smart Case. This will force them into power mode immediately.
Additionally, low power mode activates when you set your AirPods Max somewhere and leave them stationary. After five minutes of no movement, the headphones will go into low-power mode.
How to put AirPods Max in ultralow power mode
If you want your AirPods Max to go into ultralow power mode, you’ll have to be more patient. Ultralow power mode will activate after 18 hours inside the Smart Case.
Those who have used the second method of leaving the AirPods Max static outside the Smart Case will have to wait 72 hours for ultralow power mode to kick in.
Disconnect your AirPods Max from any device
If you don’t want to wait, there are some unofficial ways to turn off your AirPods Max. The most basic one is to disconnect them from your device. Let’s show you how to do this on iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. These are most likely what you’re using with your AirPods Max.
- Launch the Settings app.
- Go into the Bluetooth section.
- Find your AirPods Max and tap on the i icon next to it.
- Tap on Forget This Device.
- Confirm by selecting Forget Device.
How to unpair your AirPods Max from a Mac computer:
- Click on the Apple menu.
- Select System Preferences.
- Go into the Bluetooth option.
- Find your AirPods Max and right-click on it.
- Select Remove.
- Confirm by hitting Forget Device.
Factory reset your AirPods Max
Here’s a bit of a more drastic way to disconnect your AirPods Max from your devices and turn it off. A factory reset will do the trick. This may be annoying, as you will have to repair your headphones later. That said, it can be a good solution if you don’t have your device within reach and want to save battery.
How to reset your AirPods Max:
- Simultaneously press and hold the digital crown and noise control button for 15 seconds.
- The LED will flash amber, then white.
- You can let go now.
- Put your AirPods Max into the case or set them somewhere.
Does the magnet trick actually work?
Some people have reported and recommended using physical magnets to disable their AirPods Max. They say even small fridge magnets will work when placed close to the sensors inside the earcups.
We tried this for ourselves and found that the magnets won’t turn off the AirPods Max but can cause them to enter a low-power mode. However, we don’t recommend doing this as we are unsure of any long-term damage and are sure that the warranty won’t cover it if damage is done. You are better off using the prescribed methods to put the headphones in low power mode normally.
FAQ
You don’t have to turn them off or put the headphones in low-power mode, but always leaving them on will drain the battery faster and shorten the lifespan of the AirPods Max overall.
No, there is no power button or switch.
They enter low power mode after 5 minutes of inactivity, not fully shut off.
They’re always on. Just take them out of the case or move them to use. If they aren’t turning on, it’s likely because the battery is dead and they need to be recharged.
Enter ultralow power mode (18 hours in Smart Case or 72 hours stationary), which disables Find My.