What does the amber light on the AirPods case mean when AirPods are not in the case?

Question

When I take the AirPods out of their case sometimes the case light changes color from orange to green or vice versa. I know the amber light means it is either charging or needs a charge. Is it associated with a particular battery percentage?

Answer 1

Apple's support article for AirPods doesn't point to an exact percentage but rather if the case can fully charge the AirPods.

If your AirPods are in your case, then the light shows the charge status of your AirPods. If not, the light shows the status of your case. Green means charged, and amber means less than one full charge remains. If the light flashes white, your AirPods are ready to set up with one of your devices. If the light flashes amber, you might need to set up your AirPods again.

Answer 2

Amber in an empty case means that the case doesn't have enough battery to fully charge a drained pair of AirPods.

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(# AirPods in Case)

• (2) if both fully charged Green else Amber
• (1) if AirPod (in case) fully charged Green else Amber
• (0) if case has capacity for a full charge of drained AirPods Green else Amber

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Case changing color example:

Amber → Green when removing uncharged AirPods from charged case