AirPods Max are Apple’s over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation, spatial audio, transparency mode and a deep integration with iPhone, iPad and Mac. But sometimes you want to turn them off for many reasons, e.g., to save battery, to fully disconnect them from devices, to ship them somewhere or because they keep auto-connecting at the wrong times.
Heads up before you start. AirPods Max do not have a real power button. Apple designed them to sleep automatically when you set them down or put them in the Smart Case. Trust me on this, most people who try to power them off cannot find a button because there is not one.
This easy guide will help you turn off AirPods Max by walking you through the Smart Case method, the deep sleep mode and helping you fully disconnect them from your Apple ID when you need to.
How AirPods Max Power Off Actually Works
Real talk. Apple designed AirPods Max to never really power off. Instead:
- After 2 minutes of being still and not playing audio, they enter low-power mode.
- After 5 minutes of being still and not playing audio, they enter deeper low-power mode.
- After 72 hours of inactivity, they enter ultra-low-power mode.
- In the Smart Case, they enter deep sleep immediately.
So technically you cannot fully power them off. But you can get pretty close.
Method 1: Put Them in the Smart Case
This is the fastest way to put AirPods Max into deep sleep.
- Place both ear cups into the Smart Case.
- Close the case.
- AirPods Max disconnect from your devices and enter deep sleep within seconds.
This drains battery slower than just leaving them out. Worth doing if you will not use them for a few hours.
Method 2: Use the Noise Control Button
Heads up, this is a workaround.
- Hold the noise control button for 15 seconds.
- The LED flashes amber.
- AirPods Max forget paired devices and enter setup mode.
This is more of a reset than a power-off but it does fully disconnect them from your stuff.
Method 3: Disconnect Bluetooth on Your iPhone
If you just want them disconnected without putting in the case:
- Open Settings > Bluetooth.
- Find your AirPods Max.
- Tap the info button and tap Disconnect.
They stay nearby but stop receiving audio. Set them on a flat surface and they enter low-power mode in 5 minutes.
Method 4: Forget the Device
If you are giving them to someone else or want to completely unlink them:
- Settings > Bluetooth > AirPods Max info.
- Tap Forget This Device.
- Confirm.
They are now unpaired from your iPhone. You will need to re-pair to use them again.
Battery Drain Concerns
Real talk. AirPods Max have a known battery drain issue when not in the Smart Case. Reports of 8-10% battery loss overnight. Why:
- Without the Case, they stay in low-power mode but never deep sleep.
- Low-power mode still uses some battery for instant wake.
- If they move at all (you bump them), they wake up again.
Smart Case is the fix. Use it.
My Honest Opinion
The lack of a real power button is a design choice I do not love. The Smart Case helps but adds another thing to carry.
Personally I just disconnect Bluetooth on my iPhone and lay the headphones flat. Gets them to low power without the case. Good enough for short breaks.
Final Thoughts
Turning off AirPods Max really means putting them into low-power mode since they have no power button. Smart Case for deep sleep. Bluetooth disconnect for short breaks. Forget Device when handing them off to someone else.
Also, if you follow our steps and still face difficulties with AirPods Max, seek help from Apple Support or leave a comment in the comment section of our blog.