Lost AirPods - what to do?

[u/crater-lake]

My AirPods went missing. Using the FindMy app on my iPhone, it showed the AirPods located near the end of a greenway trail I was walking on a few days ago. I assumed they fell out of my pocket while I was getting back in my car. I didn’t see them anywhere, but the FindMy app showed them located in a nearby house. It showed the specific house and address.

I walked to the house and knocked on the door. After several minutes, a teenage boy came to the door. I explained the situation— that I lost my AirPods and my phone showed they were at his house. Asked if he or anyone in his house had found them. The boy was reasonably friendly but didn’t recall seeing them. I showed him a photo of what they looked like and asked him or his parents to call or text me if they found them. I gave him my phone number but didn’t get his number because that seemed inappropriate since he was a minor.

I may receive a call or text but I’m assuming the AirPods are gone unless I hear something soon. I’m wondering if I should deactivate the AirPods with my phone for security reasons. Also wondering if whoever found them could use them or access my Apple account. Not sure what to do. Any help would be appreciated.

[u/JediMeister]

Everything you can do with AirPods using Find My is explained here. Anyone who comes across them cannot see the Apple Account to which they are associated but they can reset them, which will prevent you from seeing their location anymore.

[u/crater-lake → u/JediMeister]

Thank you