How to Connect AirPods to Your Tablet

The Basic Steps to Pair AirPods with Your Tablet

To connect AirPods to a tablet, turn on Bluetooth on your tablet, open the AirPods case near the tablet, and tap the setup prompt that appears on your screen. Your tablet will then pair with the AirPods automatically. The whole process takes about 30 seconds and only needs to happen once — after that, your AirPods will reconnect to your tablet whenever both devices are turned on and in range.

The exact steps depend on whether you have an iPad (Apple's tablet) or an Android tablet, since they use different operating systems. Both are straightforward, but the menus look different. If you already use AirPods with an iPhone or Mac, pairing them to a tablet is even faster because Apple devices share your account information.

Key Takeaways

Turn on your tablet's Bluetooth, hold your AirPods case nearby with the lid open, and tap the setup notification that appears on your screen.
iPad users see a setup screen automatically; Android tablet users must go to Settings and select the AirPods from the Bluetooth menu manually.
If you already use AirPods with an iPhone or Mac signed into the same Apple account, your iPad will recognize them without a setup screen.
Once paired, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near your tablet and unlock it.
If pairing fails, forget the AirPods from your tablet's Bluetooth settings and try again with the case lid open.

Pairing AirPods with an iPad

On an iPad, the pairing process is designed to be automatic. Open your AirPods case (but do not remove the AirPods yet) and hold it within a few inches of your iPad. A setup screen should appear on your iPad showing an image of the AirPods and a Connect button. Tap that button, and the pairing begins.

Your iPad will ask you to name the AirPods and choose which services you want to use them with — things like phone calls, media, and Siri. You can accept the defaults or change them. Once you tap Done, the AirPods are paired and ready to use. If no setup screen appears, make sure Bluetooth is turned on: go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle it on.

If you own other Apple devices (iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch) and they are signed into the same iCloud account as your iPad, your iPad may recognize the AirPods without showing a setup screen at all. In that case, the AirPods straightforward appear in your Bluetooth settings as already connected.

Pairing AirPods with an Android Tablet

Android tablets do not show an automatic setup screen for AirPods, so you will pair them manually through the Bluetooth menu. First, open your AirPods case and hold it near your Android tablet. Then go to Settings > Bluetooth (or Connected devices, depending on your tablet's brand) and turn Bluetooth on if it is not already on.

Look for AirPods in the list of available devices. It may appear as "AirPods" or "AirPods [your name]" if you have customized the name. Tap it to pair. Your tablet will connect to the AirPods, and they should appear in your Bluetooth settings as Connected. From then on, they will reconnect automatically when you turn on Bluetooth and open the AirPods case near your tablet.

Some Android tablets organize Bluetooth settings differently depending on the manufacturer (Samsung, Lenovo, Amazon, etc.). If you cannot find Bluetooth in Settings, try searching for "Bluetooth" in your tablet's settings search bar, or look for a Connected devices or Wireless section.

What to Do If Your AirPods Do Not Appear in Bluetooth

If the AirPods do not show up in your tablet's Bluetooth list, the most common reason is that they are already paired with another device. AirPods can only connect to one device at a time, so if they are currently paired with your iPhone or Mac, they will not appear as available on your tablet. Hold the AirPods case near that other device and wait for them to reconnect, then try pairing with your tablet again.

Another common issue is that the AirPods case lid is closed. The AirPods enter pairing mode only when the case is open. Open the lid and hold the case near your tablet for a few seconds. You should see the AirPods appear in your Bluetooth list within 10 to 15 seconds.

If the AirPods still do not appear, try resetting them. Press and hold the small button on the back of the AirPods case for about 15 seconds until the light inside the case flashes amber, then white. This erases all pairings. Now open the case near your tablet and pair again from scratch.

Reconnecting AirPods After the First Pairing

After you have paired your AirPods with your tablet once, you do not need to repeat the setup process. The next time you want to use them, straightforward open the AirPods case near your tablet and unlock your tablet. The AirPods will reconnect automatically within a few seconds. You will see them listed as Connected in your Bluetooth settings.

If your AirPods do not reconnect automatically, open your tablet's Bluetooth settings and tap the AirPods name to connect manually. This usually means Bluetooth was turned off on your tablet, or the AirPods were paired with a different device in the meantime.

Switching AirPods Between Your Tablet and Other Devices

Because AirPods can only connect to one device at a time, you will need to switch them if you want to use them with your phone, computer, or another tablet. The easiest way is to open the AirPods case near the device you want to use them with and unlock that device. The AirPods will disconnect from the old device and reconnect to the new one within a few seconds.

If that does not work, go to the Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use and tap the AirPods name to connect. You can also use the AirPods themselves to switch: press and hold the button on the back of the case for a few seconds until the light flashes, then pair with the new device.

Troubleshooting Sound and Connection Issues

If your AirPods are connected but you hear no sound, check that the volume on your tablet is turned up and that the AirPods are selected as the audio output device. Go to your tablet's Bluetooth settings and make sure the AirPods show as Connected. If they show as paired but not connected, tap them to reconnect.

If the connection keeps dropping or the sound cuts out, move your tablet and AirPods closer together. Bluetooth works best within about 30 feet with a clear line of sight. If you are far from your tablet or there are many walls between them, the connection may be weak. Also check that no other Bluetooth devices are interfering — turn off other nearby Bluetooth devices and try again.

If one AirPod is quieter than the other or only one works, go to your tablet's Bluetooth settings, tap the AirPods, and look for an option to adjust the audio balance or reset the AirPods. Some tablets also have a Bluetooth audio or Sound menu where you can check the connection strength.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same AirPods with multiple tablets at the same time?

No. AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. If you want to switch them to a different tablet, you must disconnect them from the first tablet and then pair them with the second one. You can do this by opening the AirPods case near the new tablet and unlocking it, or by manually selecting them in Bluetooth settings.

Do I need to pair my AirPods every time I use my tablet?

No. Once you pair them the first time, they stay paired. The next time you use your tablet, just open the AirPods case nearby and unlock your tablet — they will reconnect automatically. You only need to pair again if you reset the AirPods or forget them in your tablet's Bluetooth settings.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my tablet?

This usually happens if Bluetooth is turning off on your tablet, if the AirPods are too far away, or if they are trying to connect to another device at the same time. Make sure Bluetooth stays on, keep your tablet and AirPods within 30 feet of each other, and check that the AirPods are not paired with your phone or another device that is also nearby.

Can I use AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with a tablet the same way?

Yes. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max pair with tablets using the exact same steps as regular AirPods. Open the case near your tablet, tap the setup prompt (on iPad) or select them in Bluetooth settings (on Android), and they will connect. All AirPods models work with both iPad and Android tablets.

What if my tablet does not have Bluetooth?

Most modern tablets have Bluetooth built in, but if yours does not, you cannot use AirPods with it. Check your tablet's specifications or go to Settings and look for a Bluetooth menu. If there is no Bluetooth option, your tablet does not support it, and you will need wired headphones or a Bluetooth adapter instead.

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