Connect AirPods to a Mac or Windows PC in Three Steps

To connect AirPods to your computer, put them in pairing mode, then select them from your system's Bluetooth settings. The exact steps differ slightly between Mac and Windows, but both take less than a minute once you know where to look. Your AirPods will remember your computer after the first connection, so you won't have to pair them again unless you reset them.

The key is getting your AirPods into pairing mode first—this tells them to accept a connection from a new device. After that, your computer's Bluetooth menu does the rest.

Key Takeaways

  • Put AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for three seconds until the light flashes white.
  • On a Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, then select your AirPods from the list of available devices.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, then click Add device and select your AirPods.
  • Once paired, your AirPods will connect automatically to your computer whenever Bluetooth is on and they are nearby.
  • If your AirPods don't appear in the Bluetooth list, make sure they are in pairing mode and your computer's Bluetooth is turned on.

How to Put AirPods in Pairing Mode

Before your computer can see your AirPods, they need to be in pairing mode. This is the state where AirPods listen for new devices trying to connect. If your AirPods have already been paired with another device (like an iPhone), they won't automatically enter pairing mode when you turn them on—you have to trigger it manually.

Open the AirPods case and look at the small button on the back. Hold this button down for about three seconds. You'll see a light on the front of the case start to flash. At first it will flash amber (orange), then after a few more seconds it will flash white. The white flashing means pairing mode is active and your AirPods are ready to connect to a new device. Leave the case open during this process.

If the light flashes red, something went wrong—try again. If the light never appears, your AirPods may need to charge. Pairing mode stays active for about 15 minutes, so you have time to get to your computer's Bluetooth settings without rushing.

Connecting AirPods to a Mac

On a Mac, the Bluetooth menu is in System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). In the sidebar on the left, find and click Bluetooth.

Your Mac will show a list of available Bluetooth devices. If your AirPods are in pairing mode, they should appear in this list with their name—usually "Your Name's AirPods" or just "AirPods." Click on them once to select them, then click the Connect button that appears next to their name. Within a few seconds, your Mac will confirm the connection and your AirPods will be ready to use.

After this first connection, your AirPods will automatically connect to your Mac whenever both are turned on and Bluetooth is enabled. You won't see the pairing screen again unless you reset your AirPods or manually forget them in Bluetooth settings.

Connecting AirPods to a Windows PC

Windows stores Bluetooth settings in a different place than Mac. Click the Start button in the bottom-left corner, then type "Settings" and open the Settings app. Once inside, click on Bluetooth & devices in the left sidebar.

At the top of the Bluetooth & devices page, you'll see an "Add device" button. Click it, then select Bluetooth from the menu that appears. Windows will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. Your AirPods should show up in the list if they're in pairing mode. Click on them to connect. Windows may ask you to confirm the pairing—if so, click Yes or Pair. The connection usually completes within 10 seconds.

Like on Mac, your AirPods will remember your Windows PC after the first pairing. The next time you turn on your AirPods near your computer, they'll connect on their own without any action from you.

What to Do If Your AirPods Don't Show Up

If you open Bluetooth settings and your AirPods aren't in the list, check three things first. Make sure the AirPods case is open and the light on the front is flashing white—if it's not flashing, hold the back button again for three seconds. If the light is amber instead of white, wait a few more seconds for it to turn white.

Next, confirm your computer's Bluetooth is actually turned on. On a Mac, look at the top menu bar—you should see a Bluetooth icon. On Windows, check the taskbar in the bottom-right corner for a Bluetooth icon or open Settings and verify Bluetooth is toggled on. If Bluetooth is off, turn it on and wait a few seconds for your computer to start searching for devices.

If your AirPods still don't appear after waiting 30 seconds, try closing the case completely, then opening it again and holding the back button for three seconds. Sometimes this resets the pairing mode. If this doesn't work, your AirPods may need to be reset—this erases all previous pairings and lets you start fresh, though it requires holding the back button for 15 seconds instead of three.

Switching AirPods Between Your Computer and Other Devices

Once your AirPods are paired with your computer, they can also stay paired with your phone, tablet, or other devices at the same time. However, AirPods can only play audio from one device at a time. When you want to switch which device is using them, you have two options.

The easiest way is to open the Bluetooth menu on the device you want to use and select your AirPods from the list. Your AirPods will when ready disconnect from whatever they were playing and connect to the new device. On a Mac, this takes about five seconds. On Windows, it may take slightly longer.

Alternatively, if you're on an Apple device like an iPhone or iPad, you can swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center, long-press the audio card, and tap your AirPods to switch to them. This method only works on Apple devices, but it's often faster than opening full Bluetooth settings.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

AirPods connect but produce no sound: Check your computer's volume settings. On a Mac, click the volume icon in the top menu bar and make sure it's not muted or turned all the way down. On Windows, right-click the volume icon in the taskbar and check the volume slider. Also verify that your AirPods are selected as the audio output device in your sound settings—sometimes your computer defaults to speakers or another device even after pairing.

AirPods keep disconnecting: Move closer to your computer. Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet, but walls and other devices can interfere. If disconnections happen even when you're close, try forgetting your AirPods from Bluetooth settings and pairing them again from scratch. On a Mac, right-click your AirPods in Bluetooth settings and select Remove. On Windows, go to Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods, click the three dots next to them, and select Remove device.

One AirPod isn't working: Put both AirPods back in the case for 10 seconds, then take them out again. If only one still works, try resetting your AirPods by holding the back button for 15 seconds until the light flashes red and white. This erases all pairings, so you'll need to pair them again with your computer, but it often fixes audio problems in a single earbud.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. After the first pairing, your AirPods will connect automatically whenever you turn them on and your computer's Bluetooth is on. You only pair once. If you reset your AirPods or forget them in Bluetooth settings, you'll need to pair them again, but normal daily use requires no pairing step.

Can I use AirPods with both a Mac and a Windows PC?

Yes. AirPods can be paired with multiple computers at once. However, they can only play audio from one device at a time. To switch between your Mac and Windows PC, open Bluetooth settings on whichever device you want to use and select your AirPods. They'll disconnect from the other device and connect to the new one.

Why do my AirPods keep connecting to my phone instead of my computer?

AirPods automatically connect to whichever Apple device is closest and most recently used. If your phone is nearby and turned on, your AirPods may prefer it over your computer. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone, or move it to another room while using your AirPods with your computer. You can also manually select your computer in Bluetooth settings to override the automatic connection.

What if my AirPods are already paired with another computer?

AirPods can be paired with multiple computers without any conflict. Just put them in pairing mode and follow the steps for your new computer. Your AirPods will remember both computers and connect to whichever one you're using based on which has Bluetooth on and is closest.

Do AirPods Pro connect differently than regular AirPods?

No. AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and standard AirPods all use the same pairing process. Hold the button on the back of the case until the light flashes white, then select them in your computer's Bluetooth settings. The steps are identical across all AirPods models.