Connect AirPods to Windows or Mac in Three Steps
To connect AirPods to a PC, turn on Bluetooth on your computer, open the AirPods case near the computer, and select the AirPods from your Bluetooth devices list. The process takes about one minute and works the same way on Windows 10, Windows 11, and macOS. After the first connection, your AirPods will reconnect automatically when you open the case near your computer.
The key difference between connecting to a phone and a computer is that AirPods do not automatically pair with every device you own. You must manually connect them to your PC the first time, but once paired, they remember your computer and reconnect without extra steps.
Key Takeaways
- Enable Bluetooth on your PC, then hold your AirPods case near the computer and press the button on the back of the case until the light flashes white.
- On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and select your AirPods from the list; on Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and click Connect next to your AirPods.
- AirPods will reconnect automatically to your PC whenever you open the case nearby, as long as Bluetooth stays on.
- If your AirPods do not appear in the Bluetooth list, reset them by holding the button on the back for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then try pairing again.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 Connection Steps
On Windows, start by turning on Bluetooth. Click the Windows Start button, type "Bluetooth settings," and open the Bluetooth & devices page. Make sure the Bluetooth toggle is switched on. If you do not see a Bluetooth toggle, your PC may not have Bluetooth hardware — check your computer's manual or contact the manufacturer.
Next, open your AirPods case near your Windows PC and press and hold the small button on the back of the case until the light inside flashes white (not amber). This usually takes about 10 to 15 seconds. Your AirPods are now in pairing mode and will show up in the Bluetooth list on your computer within a few seconds.
Go back to your Bluetooth settings window and look for your AirPods in the list of available devices. Click on them once to select them, then click the Connect button. Windows will confirm the connection with a notification. Your AirPods are now paired and will reconnect automatically the next time you open the case near your computer with Bluetooth on.
macOS Connection Steps
On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Click Bluetooth in the left sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you will see a toggle switch at the top of the window.
Open your AirPods case near your Mac and press the button on the back until the light flashes white. Your AirPods will appear in the Bluetooth devices list within seconds. Click the Connect button next to your AirPods name. macOS will show a confirmation message when the connection is complete.
After the first connection, your AirPods will appear in the Bluetooth menu with a "Connected" status whenever you open the case nearby. You can also control audio output by clicking the volume icon in the top-right corner of your Mac and selecting your AirPods from the Sound Output menu.
What to Do If Your AirPods Do Not Appear
If your AirPods do not show up in the Bluetooth list after pressing the button on the case, they may not be in pairing mode. The light on the back of the case should flash white when pairing mode is active. If the light is off or flashing amber, the AirPods are not ready to pair.
Try resetting your AirPods by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. The light will flash amber, then white. This erases all previous pairings and puts the AirPods in pairing mode. Now try connecting to your PC again using the steps above.
If the AirPods still do not appear, check that your computer's Bluetooth is actually on — some Windows PCs have a physical Bluetooth switch or keyboard shortcut that can turn it off. Also make sure your AirPods have a charge; if the battery is completely dead, they will not pair. Place them in the charging case for at least 15 minutes before trying again.
Reconnecting AirPods to Your PC Automatically
Once your AirPods are paired with your PC, they will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near the computer and Bluetooth is on. You do not need to press any buttons or go into settings again. The reconnection usually takes 2 to 5 seconds.
If your AirPods do not reconnect automatically, check that Bluetooth is still on on your PC. Also make sure your AirPods are not currently connected to another device — AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. If they are paired with your phone, you may need to disconnect them from the phone first or turn off Bluetooth on the phone.
Switching AirPods Between Your PC and Other Devices
AirPods remember every device you pair them with, but they can only play audio through one device at a time. If your AirPods are connected to your phone and you want to use them with your PC, you have two options: disconnect them from your phone by turning off Bluetooth on the phone, or manually select your PC in the AirPods settings on your phone.
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the information icon, and select "Connect to This iPhone" or "Connect to This Mac." This tells the AirPods to switch to that device. On your PC, you do not need to do anything — the AirPods will connect automatically once they disconnect from the other device.
If you use your AirPods with multiple computers, you will need to pair them with each one separately the first time. After that, they will remember all the computers and reconnect based on which one is closest or most recently used.
Audio Output and Volume Control on Your PC
After connecting your AirPods, you may need to set them as your default audio output device. On Windows, right-click the volume icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar, select "Open Volume mixer," and look for your AirPods in the list. Click on them and select "Set as default device."
On Mac, click the volume icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar and select your AirPods from the Sound Output menu. You can also control volume using the volume buttons on your keyboard — the AirPods will respond to these controls once they are set as the default output.
If you do not hear sound through your AirPods after connecting them, check that they are set as the default output device and that the volume is not muted on your PC. Also make sure the volume on your AirPods themselves is not turned all the way down — you can adjust it using the volume controls on your computer or by using Siri on the AirPods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my AirPods every time I use them with my PC?
No. After the first pairing, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near your PC and Bluetooth is on. You only pair them once.
Can I use AirPods with a Windows PC that does not have built-in Bluetooth?
No, AirPods require Bluetooth to connect. If your Windows PC does not have Bluetooth hardware, you would need to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter, though this is not officially supported by Apple and may not work reliably.
Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my PC?
AirPods may disconnect if Bluetooth is turned off on your PC, if they are too far away, or if they are trying to connect to another device at the same time. Keep your PC's Bluetooth on and make sure your AirPods are not paired with another active device nearby.
Can I use one AirPod at a time on my PC?
Yes. You can wear just one AirPod and leave the other in the case. Both will still be paired with your PC, but only the one you are wearing will play audio. The other will remain in the case and charge.
What if my PC does not show a Bluetooth option in settings?
Your computer may not have Bluetooth hardware built in. Check your PC's specifications or manual to confirm. If Bluetooth is listed but not showing in settings, you may need to install or update drivers from your computer manufacturer's website.