Found Apple AirPods - any way to reunite with owner?

[595Heaven]

As per the title, found someone's AirPods still in the case on a Retail Park car park this afternoon.

I was hoping when I opened the case my iPhone might give me a clue as to whose they are but it just says 'Not your AiPods' or something like that.

Had a quick look on the web and couldn't find a way of reuniting them, but maybe my Googling wasn't perfect - any ideas?

I'll post on the local FaceBook site but wondered if there might be a better way?

[ajprice]

Is there a serial number on the case, or a name for them on the Bluetooth devices on your phone? You should be able to contact Apple if there is any ID on them.

[595Heaven]

Thanks.

There's a model number and a serial number on the case - the case is a wireless charging version

I get the option to connect them to them via my phone, but don't want to do that as I might unlink them from the owner's Find My app

I'll see if Apple want to help...

[595Heaven]

Just had an online chat with Apple.

They responded 'I regret to inform you that we cannot return the AirPods to the original owner. However, you can return the AirPods to a near by Apple Store.', but then couldn't confirm whether this would actually help the owner get them back.

Shame they didn't have an AirTag with them...

[carlove]

Could you try social media? If they won’t connect to your iPhone could you say you’ll only pass them over if they successfully connect to their phone, so you know it’s the actual owner not some chancer.

[595Heaven]

carlove said:

Could you try social media? If they won’t connect to your iPhone could you say you’ll only pass them over if they successfully connect to their phone, so you know it’s the actual owner not some chancer.

Yep, that's the next step. Was hoping there was a better way but seemingly not

[ajprice]

595Heaven said:

carlove said:

Could you try social media? If they won’t connect to your iPhone could you say you’ll only pass them over if they successfully connect to their phone, so you know it’s the actual owner not some chancer.

Yep, that's the next step. Was hoping there was a better way but seemingly not

If your local news has a Twitter account, contact them to RT your message.

[otolith]

It’s crap, and there is no security on them to stop someone nicking them and pairing to their phone.

[Durzel]

Unless there's any way to uniquely identify them - e.g. a third party case - then there's no way of really guaranteeing that they go back to the owner really. You could post on the local Facebook group and say that you found a pair in the area, without being specific as to exactly where, and see if anyone can pinpoint it.

[Evolved]

Doubt you’ll find the owner. Social, maybe.

You’ve essentially scored a free set of AirPods. They knew what they were doing when they made them, lost pods will be a money spinner for them.

[Ambleton]

If only these wireless headphones had a tether back to the device to stop people losing them....

[aparna]

There is an option to engrave your phone number on the case on checkout.

They don't have a tracker in or anything like that, but still feature on 'find my phone' item list, uselessly. I guess the owner can look up where they last used them? Not sure how accurate it is.

[595Heaven]

Ambleton said:

If only these wireless headphones had a tether back to the device to stop people losing them....

Lol, true, but AirPods are so good at their job

Use mine every morning whilst walking the dog to listen to the Today programme. I’d forgotten to charge mine a couple of weeks ago so had to take the old iPhone wired headphones and they were an utter PITA with the cable flapping around and snagging on stuff.

I’d be lost without mine which is why I’d like to get these back to their owner - I know that’ll be cursing their bad fortune in losing them…

[633Squadron]

Ambleton said:

If only these wireless headphones had a tether back to the device to stop people losing them....

Very good