What you’re dealing with
The only real variable is battery. Over-ears buy you days; earbuds buy you an evening.
| Broadcasts as | Model name, usually with an LE_ prefix |
|---|---|
| Typical battery | Anywhere from 5 hours on earbuds to 40+ on over-ears |
| Findable by scan | Yes, while powered on |
| Search window | Days to weeks |
Once the battery is gone: Over-ear models give you days. Earbuds give you hours. Which you own changes the urgency completely.
Where it usually is
Wherever you last sat down
Headphones come off when you sit and stay where they landed.
Bags and rucksack side pockets
In the pocket you did not check because it looked empty.
Public transport seats
Slipped off during a nap.
How to search for it
- Check the last-seen map firstBefore you search a room, find out which building. A pin saves you from searching the right way in the wrong place.
- Scan from the middle of the roomNote everything that appears, then select the device you want so the rest of the list drops away.
- Walk and watch the signalSweep in a straight line, give each position a few seconds, and turn 90 degrees when the reading stops rising.
- Search inside things, not across themA strong signal with nothing visible means it is underneath or inside something. Fabric and metal block Bluetooth badly.
Tips specific to bluetooth headphones
- Look for the model number in the scan list rather than a nickname, headphones advertise the model, not what you renamed them to.
- If they are in a hard case inside a bag, expect a much weaker signal than you would predict from distance alone.
Other things people lose
The same method applies to these, with different battery windows and different hiding places.
- How to find a lost Kindle, Weeks
- How to find a lost Nintendo Switch or Joy-Con, About 20 hours on a Joy-Con
- How to find a lost Bluetooth mouse or keyboard, Weeks to months
- How to find a lost hearing aid, Around 16 to 24 hours rechargeable
- How to find lost luggage with a Bluetooth tag, Roughly a year on a coin cell tag
- Bluetooth scanner for iPhone, Scan tab
- How to find something in the dark, Method
- All device guides, the complete list
Common questions
Does this work with non-Apple headphones?
Yes, and that is the main reason to use a general Bluetooth scanner. Find My covers Apple hardware; a scanner covers whatever is broadcasting.