Connect via Bluetooth on Windows or Mac
AirPods connect to your computer the same way they connect to your phone — through Bluetooth. On both Windows and Mac, you put your AirPods in pairing mode, then tell your computer to find and remember them. The whole process takes about two minutes and you only have to do it once; after that, your AirPods will reconnect automatically when you open the case near your computer.
The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, but the principle is identical: enable Bluetooth on your computer, make your AirPods discoverable, and confirm the pairing. Once paired, your AirPods will show up in your audio settings and you can switch between devices without re-pairing.
Key Takeaways
- On Mac, open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, put AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the case for three seconds, then select them from the list.
- On Windows, open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, put AirPods in pairing mode, then click Add device and select your AirPods from the list.
- After the first pairing, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near your computer.
- If your AirPods do not appear in the Bluetooth list, close the case, wait five seconds, then hold the pairing button again for three seconds.
Pairing AirPods on a Mac
On Mac, start by opening System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select System Settings. From there, click Bluetooth in the left sidebar.
While System Settings is open and showing the Bluetooth menu, hold your AirPods case in your hand and press and hold the small button on the back of the case for about three seconds. You will see a white light flash on the case — that means they are in pairing mode. Your AirPods should appear in the Bluetooth list within a few seconds. Click the Connect button next to your AirPods, and they will pair with your Mac.
Once connected, your AirPods will appear as "Connected" in the Bluetooth menu. You can now use them to listen to audio, take calls, or record video. The next time you open your AirPods case near your Mac, they will reconnect without any additional steps.
Pairing AirPods on Windows
On Windows, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Bluetooth & devices in the left sidebar, then click the toggle next to Bluetooth to turn it on if it is not already on.
With Bluetooth enabled, hold your AirPods case and press and hold the button on the back for three seconds until you see the white light flash. Then click Add device at the top of the Bluetooth & devices menu, select Bluetooth from the popup, and wait for your AirPods to appear in the list. Click on them to complete the pairing.
Windows will show your AirPods as "Connected" once the pairing is done. They will now appear in your audio output options whenever you need to switch to them, and they will reconnect automatically the next time you open the case near your computer.
What to Do If Your AirPods Do Not Appear
If your AirPods do not show up in the Bluetooth list after you press the pairing button, close the case completely and wait five seconds. Then open the case and hold the button on the back again for three seconds. The white light should flash — if it does not, your AirPods may need to be charged.
If the light flashes but your AirPods still do not appear, try turning Bluetooth off and back on. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select Turn Bluetooth Off, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. On Windows, toggle the Bluetooth switch off and back on in Settings. Then repeat the pairing steps.
If your AirPods have been paired with another device recently (like your phone), they may still be trying to connect to that device instead. Put your phone in airplane mode or move it out of range, then try pairing with your computer again.
Switching Between Devices Without Re-pairing
Once your AirPods are paired with your computer, you do not need to pair them again. When you want to use them with your computer instead of your phone, straightforward open the AirPods case near your computer. Your AirPods will automatically connect to whichever device you last used them with, or you can manually switch them in your audio settings.
On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, find your AirPods in the list, and click Connect. On Windows, go to Settings, click Bluetooth & devices, scroll down to Audio, and select your AirPods from the dropdown menu. Your computer will remember this choice and use those AirPods as the default audio output until you change it again.
Using AirPods for Calls and Video on Your Computer
Once connected, your AirPods work for video calls, voice recording, and any other audio task on your computer. In most applications like Zoom, Google Meet, or Discord, your AirPods will be automatically selected as both the microphone and speaker. If they are not, open the process's audio settings and select your AirPods from the microphone and speaker dropdowns.
The microphone on your AirPods works well for calls and recordings in quiet environments. If you are in a noisy space, you may want to use your computer's built-in microphone or an external one instead, since AirPods pick up background sound more readily than a dedicated microphone would.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my AirPods every time I use them with my computer?
No. After the first pairing, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near your computer. You only pair them once, unless you reset them or pair them with a different computer.
Can I use AirPods with both my phone and computer at the same time?
Your AirPods can only play audio from one device at a time, but they stay paired with both. To switch, open the case near the device you want to use, or manually select them in that device's audio settings. They will disconnect from the other device automatically.
Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my computer?
AirPods may disconnect if your computer's Bluetooth is turned off, if you move too far away, or if they are trying to connect to another device. Keep your computer's Bluetooth on, stay within about 30 feet, and make sure your phone is not actively trying to use them at the same time.
Can I use AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with my computer the same way?
Yes. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max pair with computers using the same Bluetooth process. Hold the pairing button on the case or headphones for three seconds, then select them in your computer's Bluetooth settings. They work identically to standard AirPods once paired.