Connect AirPods to a Mac or Windows PC

To pair AirPods to your computer, put them in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for three seconds until the light flashes white, then select them from your computer's Bluetooth settings. The exact steps differ slightly between Mac and Windows, but both take less than a minute once your AirPods are in pairing mode.

Your computer must have Bluetooth turned on before you start. If you have never paired these AirPods to this computer before, they will appear as "AirPods" or with your custom name in the available devices list. Once you select them, they connect automatically and will reconnect whenever they come in range.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the button on the back of your AirPods case for three seconds until the white light flashes to enter pairing mode.
  • On a Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, wait for your AirPods to appear, and click Connect next to them.
  • On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device, select Bluetooth, and choose your AirPods from the list.
  • After the first pairing, your AirPods will reconnect to your computer automatically whenever Bluetooth is on.
  • If your AirPods do not appear in the device list, reset them by holding the back button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then try pairing again.

Pairing AirPods to a Mac

On a Mac, open System Settings and click Bluetooth in the left sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you will see a toggle at the top of the window. Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for three seconds until the light flashes white.

Your AirPods will appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Click the Connect button next to them. The pairing process takes about 10 to 15 seconds. Once connected, you will see "Connected" next to your AirPods in the Bluetooth menu, and they will appear in the audio output menu when you click the volume icon in the menu bar.

Pairing AirPods to a Windows PC

On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings and select Bluetooth & devices from the left sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — the toggle should be blue. Click the button that says "Add device" or "+ Add device" at the top of the window.

A window will open asking what type of device you want to add. Select Bluetooth. Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for three seconds until the light flashes white. Your AirPods will appear in the list within a few seconds. Click on them to pair. Windows will show a confirmation message when pairing is complete.

What to Do If Your AirPods Do Not Appear

If your AirPods do not show up in the available devices list after you put them in pairing mode, they may already be paired to another device. AirPods can only pair to one device at a time, though they will switch between devices automatically if you are signed into the same Apple account on both.

To unpair your AirPods from another device, go to that device's Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods in the list of connected devices, and select Forget or Remove. Then return to your computer and try pairing again. If you still do not see them, reset your AirPods by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber. Wait a few seconds, then hold the button again for three seconds to enter pairing mode and try connecting to your computer.

Switching AirPods Between Your Computer and Other Devices

Once your AirPods are paired to your computer, they will automatically switch to whichever device you are actively using if that device is also paired with the same AirPods and you are signed into the same Apple account. For example, if you are listening to music on your Mac and then start playing a video on your iPhone, your AirPods will switch to the iPhone.

If your AirPods are paired to a Windows PC, they will not switch automatically to an Apple device. You will need to manually disconnect them from Windows and reconnect them to your Apple device through Bluetooth settings. To switch back to Windows, repeat the process in reverse.

Using AirPods With Your Computer After Pairing

After your AirPods are paired, they will connect automatically whenever you turn them on and your computer's Bluetooth is on. You do not need to go through the pairing process again. If your AirPods do not connect automatically, check that Bluetooth is turned on in your computer's settings and that your AirPods are charged.

To use your AirPods as your computer's audio output, click the volume icon in your menu bar (Mac) or go to Settings > Sound (Windows) and select your AirPods from the output device list. You can also control volume and pause playback using the touch controls on your AirPods themselves — tap once to play or pause, tap twice to skip forward, and tap three times to skip back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pair the same AirPods to both a Mac and a Windows PC?

Yes, but only one at a time. You will need to unpair them from one device before pairing to the other. If both devices are Apple products and you are signed into the same Apple account, your AirPods will switch between them automatically. With Windows, you must manually disconnect and reconnect.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my computer?

This usually happens if Bluetooth is turned off, your AirPods are out of range, or the battery is low. Check that Bluetooth is on in your computer's settings, move closer to your computer, and charge your AirPods. If disconnections continue, try forgetting the AirPods from your computer's Bluetooth settings and pairing them again.

Do I need to put my AirPods in pairing mode every time I use them?

No. After the first pairing, your AirPods will connect automatically whenever they are on and your computer's Bluetooth is on. You only need to enter pairing mode when connecting to a new device for the first time.

What if my AirPods are already paired to my iPhone — will they work on my computer too?

If you are signed into the same Apple account on both devices, your AirPods will switch between them automatically. On a Windows PC, you will need to pair them separately, and they will not switch automatically between Windows and Apple devices.