How to Connect AirPods to a Windows or Mac PC

Yes, AirPods connect to PCs through Bluetooth, but the process and limitations differ from iPhones

AirPods will pair with any PC that has Bluetooth — Windows or Mac — but the connection works differently than it does with Apple devices. On a PC, you lose some features: automatic switching between devices, Siri voice commands, and the ability to see battery percentage in the system menu. What you keep is audio playback, microphone input for calls and video chat, and the ability to pair multiple AirPods to the same PC. The pairing itself takes about two minutes and requires only that your AirPods are charged and in pairing mode.

The process is straightforward: put your AirPods in pairing mode, open your PC's Bluetooth settings, and select them from the list. Once paired, they reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and Bluetooth is enabled on your PC.

Key Takeaways

AirPods pair with Windows and Mac PCs via Bluetooth, but without the seamless features you get on iPhones or iPads.
You must put AirPods into pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white.
On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device; on Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and click the plus button.
Once paired, AirPods will reconnect automatically when you turn them on, as long as Bluetooth is enabled on your PC.
Battery percentage, automatic device switching, and Siri do not work on PCs, even though they work on iPhones.

How to pair AirPods with a Windows PC

Start by making sure your PC has Bluetooth turned on. Open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, and toggle Bluetooth to On if it is not already. You should see a list of paired devices below.

Next, put your AirPods into pairing mode. Open the case and hold down the small button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds. The light inside the case will flash white — that means pairing mode is active. Do not close the case yet.

Back in Windows Settings, click Add device at the top of the Bluetooth & devices page. A window will open showing available devices. Your AirPods should appear in the list within a few seconds, usually labeled "AirPods" or "AirPods [Your Name]" if you have set a custom name in iCloud. Click on them to pair. Windows will confirm the connection, and you can close the case.

How to pair AirPods with a Mac

On Mac, open System Settings and navigate to Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you will see a toggle in the top right corner of the window.

Put your AirPods into pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white. Your AirPods should appear in the Bluetooth list on your Mac within a few seconds. Click the plus button or the Connect button next to your AirPods to pair them. Once connected, you can close the case.

What features work and what do not on a PC

AirPods will play audio and work as a microphone on any PC. You can use them for music, video calls, voice chat in games, and video conferencing apps like Zoom or Teams. The microphone quality is the same as on an iPhone — it picks up your voice clearly and filters background noise reasonably well.

Features that do not work on a PC include automatic device switching (the seamless handoff between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac), Siri voice commands, and battery percentage display in the system menu. On a Mac, you can see battery percentage in the Bluetooth menu, but on Windows you cannot see it at all without a third-party app. You also cannot use spatial audio or adaptive audio on a PC, even if your AirPods model supports those features.

Reconnecting after the first pairing

Once you have paired your AirPods to your PC, they will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on — as long as Bluetooth is enabled on your PC. You do not need to repeat the pairing process. If your AirPods do not reconnect, check that Bluetooth is on, that your AirPods are charged, and that they are in range (typically 30 feet or less).

If reconnection fails, you can manually reconnect by opening Bluetooth settings and clicking your AirPods in the list. If that does not work, forget the device and pair again from the beginning.

Pairing multiple AirPods to the same PC

You can pair more than one set of AirPods to a single PC. Each pair must be put into pairing mode separately and added through Bluetooth settings. Once both are paired, you can switch between them in Bluetooth settings by clicking the one you want to use. Only one set will play audio at a time — the PC will not split audio between them.

This is useful if you share a PC with someone else or if you own multiple AirPods models and want to use different ones depending on the situation.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If your AirPods will not pair, start by checking that they are charged. A low battery can prevent pairing mode from activating. Hold the button on the back of the case for the full 15 seconds — if you release too early, pairing mode will not turn on. The light should flash white; if it flashes amber, the battery is too low.

If your PC does not see your AirPods in the Bluetooth list, try restarting Bluetooth on your PC. On Windows, toggle Bluetooth off and back on in Settings. On Mac, turn Bluetooth off and on in System Settings. If your AirPods are already paired to another device (like your iPhone), they may not show up in pairing mode on your PC — disconnect them from the other device first or put them back in the case and try again.

If your AirPods pair but produce no sound, check that they are set as the default audio device. On Windows, go to Settings > Sound > Volume and select your AirPods from the Output dropdown. On Mac, open System Settings > Sound and select your AirPods from the Output tab.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unpair my AirPods from my iPhone to use them on my PC?

No. AirPods can be paired to multiple devices at once. However, if your iPhone is on and nearby, your AirPods may connect to it automatically instead of your PC. To prevent this, turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone or put it in airplane mode while using your AirPods with your PC.

Can I see the battery percentage of my AirPods on Windows?

Not in the system menu like you can on Mac or iPhone. Windows does not display AirPods battery percentage natively. Some third-party apps claim to show it, but they are unreliable. Your best option is to check the battery in the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone or iPad if you have one.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my PC?

Disconnections usually happen because Bluetooth is being turned off, your PC is going to sleep, or your AirPods are moving out of range. Check that Bluetooth is on and that your PC is not in sleep mode. If disconnections happen frequently, try forgetting the device and pairing again. Interference from other wireless devices can also cause drops.

Can I use AirPods Pro noise cancellation on my PC?

No. Noise cancellation, transparency mode, and adaptive audio do not work on Windows or Mac. These features are limited to Apple devices. You can still use your AirPods Pro for audio and calls on a PC, but without those features active.

What if my PC does not have Bluetooth?

You can add Bluetooth to a PC using a USB Bluetooth adapter, which costs between $15 and $40. Plug it into a USB port, install any drivers if Windows prompts you, and then pair your AirPods the same way you would with built-in Bluetooth. Adapters from brands like TP-Link and Plugable are widely available and work reliably.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.