6 Simple Tips to Keep Your AirPods From Falling Out

Here are simple yet innovative solutions for when ​​your AirPods won’t stay put.

Apple worked with Stanford to 3D-scan hundreds of ears to make sure the AirPods would fit the majority of the population.

Despite this, many people complain that their AirPods keep falling out of their ears. And this happens for all models: AirPods (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen) and AirPods Pro (1 & 2).

From wearing them right to DIY hacks, here are the top six tips on how to keep your AirPods from falling out. Let’s dive in!

1. Make Sure You’re Wearing Them Right

This first tip may sound a little too obvious, but there is a proper way to put your AirPods in your ears, which many people aren’t aware of, resulting in them falling out.

To make sure this isn’t the problem, wear your AirPods correctly by following the press-rotate-wedge method:

1. Press: Insert the AirPods into your ears, ensuring the stem is vertically aligned with your head or parallel to your face.
2. Rotate: Gently rotate the AirPods until they feel snug and secure. This is typically when the stems are almost parallel to your jawline.
3. Wedge: You’ll know they’re correctly positioned when they feel “locked” in place, providing a comfortable yet firm fit.

After ensuring they’re worn correctly, consider these tips to enhance your experience:

• Wipe the AirPods dry before wearing: Keeping your AirPods dry helps maintain hygiene and prevents slippage. Gently wipe them with a soft, dry cloth before use, especially if they’ve been exposed to moisture.
• Run the Ear Tip Fit Test: This test ensures that you’re using the right ear tip size for AirPods Pro. To access this feature, go to your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings > tap the i icon beside your AirPods’ name, click on Ear Tip Fit Test, and follow the on-screen instructions to check the fit.

2. Try Wearing the AirPods Upside Down

If wearing your AirPods properly don’t keep them secured in your ears, you can try wearing them upside them.

Wearing earbuds upside down is a known trick used by runners that have seemingly faded with time because of wireless earbuds. But it still works! I’ve personally tried it out while running or working out, and it has worked wonders in keeping my AirPods from falling out.

Here are some tips on wearing AirPods upside down:

• Switch Earbuds: Swap the left AirPod with the right one and vice versa.
• Turn Off Ear Detection: In your device’s settings, disable “Automatic Ear Detection” to prevent interruptions.

3. Twist the AirPods in

If the previous tips aren’t working or are too uncomfortable, you can try another trick to keep the AirPods from falling out. This time, try twisting the AirPods in.

To do this, insert your AirPods into your ears. Then, rotate them slightly, about 30 degrees, so that the stem becomes more horizontal and extends away from your ears. While this technique may not work for everyone, it’s certainly worth trying.

4. Switch to Memory Foam Tips (For AirPods Pro)

While silicon tips are made to improve the AirPods Pro’s fit, the silicon material itself can be quite slippery, especially if you are prone to sweating. If that’s the reason why your AirPods fall out, it’s a good idea to switch to memory foam tips instead.

Unlike Apple’s silicone tips, memory foam seamlessly molds itself to the shape of the ear, providing a better seal in the ear canal.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to change your AirPods Pro’s ear tips to memory foam:

• Remove the silicone tips. You can do this by gently pulling on them until they pop off the earbuds.
• Choose the right memory foam ear tip. The rule of thumb is that your silicone tip and memory foam tip should be the same size. Try to go for brands like Foam Masters that actually follow Apple’s sizing. These are made specifically for AirPods, so there should be no issues with the fit.
• Squeeze and push the new tips in until they’re locked in. Install the memory foam tips the same way you would when putting on silicone tips. Once the ear tip is securely placed on the earbuds, you should hear a click.
• Squeeze and plug the AirPods into your ears. While the process of attaching silicone and memory foam ear tips to the earbuds is the same, the method of wearing them is slightly different. When putting on AirPods equipped with memory foam ear tips, you’ll need to squeeze the tip first before doing the push-rotate-wedge action.

5. Apply a Waterproof Tape

Waterproof tape retains its stickiness even with moisture present, so using this material can help give your AirPods a better grip that’ll keep them from falling out.

Here are the tools you will need for this method:

• Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape
• Hole Punch

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to adding waterproof tape to your AirPods.

• Punch out a couple of small dots from the waterproof tape. Create as many dots as you wish so you’ll have extra ones you can use if your initial placements do not work. Also, since you may need to change the tapes from time to time, it doesn’t hurt to have a collection of waterproof tape dots ready.
• Place the tape below and above the black sensor dot. This may require a bit of trial and error as we all have differently shaped ears. You can even try experimenting with different shapes to achieve a better fit for your ears. In the end, it depends on what makes you comfortable.

Once you’re good, it should look something like this:

6. Use Third-Party Accessories

If all else fails, you could look into third-party accessories to improve the fit of your AirPods and keep them from falling out.

Here are some of our favorite third-party accessories for AirPods:

• DamonLight AirPods Covers
• Ahastyle Silicone AirPods Ear Hooks
• GOGOSODU AirPods Strap

DamonLight AirPods Covers

The DamonLight AirPods Covers are silicone ear tip covers that provide additional grip to the earbud part of the AirPods. They come in two variants – one for AirPods 1, 2, & 3, and one for AirPods Pro 1 & 2.

These silicone covers are thin enough to fit inside AirPods and AirPods Pro charging cases. So, you won’t need to keep taking them off every time you want to put them away.

Ahastyle Silicone AirPods Ear Hooks

Hooks are often found in earphones or earbuds designed for sports use. So, if you’re thinking of using your AirPods for contact sports, you can opt for the Ahastyle Silicone AirPods Ear Hooks instead. This also comes with options for AirPods and AirPods Pro.

GOGOSODU AirPods Strap

Finally, we have the AirPods strap from GOGOSODU. This product doesn’t directly address in-ear fit. Still, it does offer an extra layer of security for your AirPods in case the earbuds decide to pop out of your ears.

In a way, this AirPods strap acts as insurance for those involved in a lot of outdoor activities and are worried about losing their AirPods.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why do AirPods fall out easily?
• Can you return AirPods if they don’t fit your ears?
• Which AirPods stay in the ear best?

Why do AirPods fall out easily?

AirPods often fall out due to the wrong fit for individual ear shapes, slippery silicone tips on AirPods Pro, and external forces like knocking them out accidentally while changing clothes or adjusting hair, exacerbated by activities like running or removing face masks.

Can you return AirPods if they don’t fit your ears?

You can return AirPods within 14 days after buying them if they’re in good condition with original packaging and receipt, and purchased from an official Apple Store.

Which AirPods stay in the ear best?

AirPods Pro, with their customizable and in-ear design, theoretically fit best. Yet, effectiveness depends on each user’s ear size and shape for ideal comfort.