How to find lost earbuds with your phone
Wireless earbuds send a Bluetooth signal regularly while they are powered on. If you measure that signal on your phone and move toward where it gets stronger, you can often find them in a few minutes. Earbuds with a completely dead battery send no signal, so this method cannot find them.
Before you start
Earbuds connected to your phone often stop advertising. Disconnect them in Bluetooth settings first. If you lost only one bud, put the other one in its case so the lost one is easier to pick out.
Step by step
- Go back to the last place you used the earbuds.
- Scan with a Bluetooth finder and check the strongest signals first.
- Pick your earbuds and start tracking.
- Turn slowly through 360° to find the strongest direction, then walk a few steps that way.
- If the signal drops, stay put for a few seconds instead of starting over.
- When the signal is very strong, check spots that block it: sofa gaps, bag pockets, under car seats.
Where lost earbuds usually turn up
| Place | Tip |
|---|---|
| Couch or bed | Between cushions and inside blankets, fabric weakens the signal |
| Car | Between and under the seats, door pockets |
| Jacket or bag | Inner pockets and the bottom of the bag |
| Outdoors | Retrace your route until the signal appears |
Doing it with Budsonar
Budsonar shows a proximity ring, the live dBm value and a getting closer or moving away arrow, and vibrates and beeps faster as you get closer. Star your earbuds once and next time you can track them in one tap from My devices. No subscription.
Follow the signal to your earbuds
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