AirPods connect to your computer through Bluetooth, and the process takes less than a minute once you put them in pairing mode
To connect AirPods to a Mac or Windows PC, you turn on Bluetooth pairing on the AirPods themselves, then select them from your computer's Bluetooth menu. The exact steps differ slightly between Mac and Windows, but both systems find and remember your AirPods after the first connection. Once paired, your AirPods will reconnect automatically when you turn them on and your computer is nearby.
You do not need iTunes, an Apple account, or any software beyond what your computer already has. If your AirPods have been used with another device, you may need to reset them first — this takes about 15 seconds and clears the pairing history.
Key Takeaways
- Put your 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, go to Bluetooth, and select your AirPods from the list.
- On Windows, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, and click Add device, then select your AirPods.
- If your AirPods do not appear, reset them by holding the back button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then try pairing again.
- After the first connection, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever Bluetooth is on and they are nearby.
How to put AirPods in pairing mode
Before your computer can find your AirPods, they must be in pairing mode. This is the state where they broadcast their presence to nearby devices and wait for a connection request.
Open the AirPods case and hold down the small button on the back of the case for about three seconds. You will see a light on the front of the case start to flash white. This white flash means the AirPods are in pairing mode and ready to connect. Leave the case open during this process — the AirPods do not need to be in your ears yet.
If the light flashes amber instead of white, the AirPods are in reset mode. This happens if you hold the button too long. You can still proceed with pairing, but if pairing fails, you may need to reset them fully (see the troubleshooting section below).
Connecting on a Mac
On a Mac, open System Settings by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner and selecting System Settings. Then click Bluetooth in the left sidebar.
Your Mac will begin scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices. When your AirPods appear in the list, click the Connect button next to them. The connection usually completes in a few seconds, and you will see "Connected" next to your AirPods' name. You can now close System Settings — your AirPods are ready to use.
If you want to use your AirPods as both input and output (so your computer uses them for both sound and microphone), they will do this automatically once connected. You do not need to change any settings.
Connecting on Windows
On Windows, open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then press Enter. Click Bluetooth & devices in the left sidebar.
Click the Add device button at the top of the window. A small window will open asking what kind of device you want to add. Select Bluetooth. Windows will begin scanning for nearby devices, and your AirPods should appear in the list within a few seconds. Click on your AirPods to connect.
Once the connection is complete, you will see "Connected" next to your AirPods' name in the Bluetooth & devices menu. Close Settings, and your AirPods are ready. Windows will remember them and reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on.
What to do if your AirPods do not appear
If your AirPods are in pairing mode but your computer does not show them in the Bluetooth list, the most common fix is to reset the AirPods. This clears any pairing history and often solves connection problems.
To reset AirPods, hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds. The light will flash white, then amber, then white again. When you see this sequence, release the button. The AirPods are now reset and will enter pairing mode automatically. Try connecting again using the steps above.
If resetting does not work, check that Bluetooth is turned on in your computer's settings. On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen — it should show "Bluetooth: On." On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and make sure the Bluetooth toggle is switched on. If Bluetooth is off, turn it on and try pairing again.
Reconnecting after the first time
After you have connected your AirPods once, your computer remembers them. The next time you turn on your AirPods near your computer, they will reconnect automatically without any action from you — as long as Bluetooth is turned on.
If your AirPods do not reconnect automatically, open your Bluetooth settings and look for your AirPods in the list. On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar. On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices. If your AirPods are listed, click Connect next to them. If they are not listed, they may have been paired with another device — see the reset section above.
You can pair your AirPods with multiple computers. Each time you pair them with a new computer, that computer is added to the list of devices your AirPods know. Your AirPods will try to reconnect to whichever device they were last used with, but you can manually switch between computers by opening Bluetooth settings on the computer you want to use.
Switching AirPods between your computer and other devices
If you use your AirPods with an iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device, you can switch them between devices without unpairing. When you want to use your AirPods with your computer, straightforward open Bluetooth settings on your computer and click Connect next to your AirPods. They will disconnect from your other device and connect to your computer.
To switch back to your iPhone or iPad, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center, tap the audio card, and select your AirPods. They will reconnect to that device instead.
If you use your AirPods with non-Apple devices, the switching process is the same: open Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use and select your AirPods. Only one device can use your AirPods at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to reset my AirPods if I have used them with another device?
Not always. If you want your AirPods to connect to your computer instead of your iPhone or iPad, you can straightforward open Bluetooth settings on your computer and select them. However, if your AirPods are not appearing in your computer's Bluetooth list, or if they keep reconnecting to another device, reset them using the 15-second button hold described above.
Can I use AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with my computer the same way?
Yes. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max connect to computers using the same Bluetooth pairing process. Put them in pairing mode, then follow the Mac or Windows steps above. The button location and reset process are the same.
Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my computer?
This usually happens if your AirPods are paired with multiple devices and one of them is trying to reconnect. Move away from your other devices, or turn off Bluetooth on them temporarily. If disconnections continue, reset your AirPods and pair them with your computer again. Also check that your computer's Bluetooth is not being blocked by a physical obstacle or another wireless device.
Can I use my AirPods microphone on my computer for video calls?
Yes. Once your AirPods are connected, your computer will automatically use them for both sound and microphone input during calls. You do not need to change any settings. If your computer is using a different microphone, open your video call app's settings and select your AirPods as the microphone input.
What if I forgot which computer my AirPods are paired with?
Reset your AirPods by holding the back button for 15 seconds until you see the white-amber-white light sequence. This erases all pairings. Then pair them with your current computer using the steps above. You will need to re-pair them with any other devices you use them with.