Why Are You Getting Cannot Verify AirPods Alert in iOS 16/17/18?

Receiving “Cannot verify AirPods” alert after iOS 16 update? Read this guide to see why you are getting iOS 16/17/18 Cannot Verify AirPods alert and what to do if you encounter it.

By @Lena Last Updated September 5, 2024

iOS 16/17/18 Cannot Verify AirPods alert

iOS 16 comes with lots of new features, in addition to a new customizable lock screen, the ability to edit sent messages, amazing Photo editing tool, it also adds many minor updates. Obviously, most of the updates make the iPhone better, but some of them may confuse you. Now you get the "Cannot verify AirPods" warning when you try to connect to AirPods.

Well, you are not the only one who received this warning. iOS 16 adds a verification step for AirPods. Anyone who has updated their iPhone to iOS 17 may have encountered this problem. Just keep reading to learn when this iOS 16/17/18 Cannot Verify AirPods alert will appear and what to do if you encounter it.

Why are you getting iOS 16/17/18 Cannot Verify AirPods alert?

? Will not receive Cannot Verify AirPods in iOS 16/17/18 - If you're trying to connect official AirPods – any previously released series, whether the first generation AirPods or the new AirPods Pro 2, or the AirPods in collaboration with Kim Kardashian, or other compatible Bluetooth headset devices - then you won't get this Cannot Verify AirPods alert in iOS 18.

⚠️ Will receive Cannot Verify AirPods in iOS 16/17/18 – If you’re trying to connect fake AirPods, then you will see the “Cannot Verify AirPods” message. This alert suggests that the earbuds may be a knockoff of the official AirPods.

In a word, you will see the Cannot Verify AirPods alert in iOS 18 when trying to connect counterfeit AirPods. This update is designed to verify that the AirPods are genuine. But in fact, you can still use the unofficial earbuds if you want.

 

What to do when you get Cannot Verify AirPods alert in iOS 16/17/18

When you get Cannot Verify AirPods alert in iOS 18, you can first go to this website - https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT209580 to identify your AirPods. It helps you verify that your AirPods are genuine. But even if your AirPods are not genuine, you can still use them.

You can tap Connect in Bluetooth Settings option to connect the unverified AirPods via Bluetooth and listen to music as usual. However, Apple says that they may not behave as expected.

If you are sure that your AirPods are genuine but won’t connect to iPhone, you can go to this AirPods not connecting to iPhone guide to get the solutions.

Bonus tip: how to easily add music to iPhone

You will see the Cannot Verify AirPods alert in iOS 18 if the devices are not compatible. But fortunately, you can still connect them to iPhone and listen to music. Here in this part, let’s learn a simple way to transfer music from computer to iPhone.

Usually, we can download and purchase music from Apple Music or iTunes Store. Besides, we can also rely on iTunes to help us sync music from computer to iPhone. However, if you've ever tried it, you'll know it's not as easy as you think.

When you use iTunes to sync music, it will erase all existing songs on the device. iTunes does not allow you to transfer music from other people's computers to your iPhone.

Well, if you want to easily add music to iPhone, you can use AOMEI FoneBackup. It is one professional iOS data management tool for Windows users, which can help users transfer music, photos, contacts, etc. from computer to iPhone, from iPhone to computer and from iPhone to another one.

Steps to transfer music from computer to iPhone

Below are the steps to transfer MP3 to iPhone from PC. (AOMEI FoneBackup also supports WAV, M4A, AIFF, FLAC, etc.)

Step 1. Download, install and launch AOMEI FoneBackup.

Download FreewareWin 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Step 2. Connect iPhone to computer via cable.

Step 3. Click Phone Transfer > Go to PC to iPhone and click Start Transfer.

Step 4. Click Music > Drag the music to the box or you can click anywhere in the box to browse your computer and choose the songs you need.

Step 5. Click Start Transfer to add songs to iPhone.

★Tips:
AOMEI FoneBackup supports transferring both purchased and non-purchased songs. You can go to iPhone to PC and transfer non purchased music from iPhone to computer.
In addition, you can let it help you transfer music from one Apple ID to another, easily share music with family and friends.

Final words

As you can see, iOS 18 will help users identify counterfeit AirPods. Users will see the Cannot Verify AirPods alert in iOS 16/17/18 if they try to connect fake AirPods. But it just tells users the AirPods are not genuine and users can still connect the devices to iPhone via Bluetooth connection. What do you think about the update?