AirPods Pro connect to a PC the same way they connect to any other device: through Bluetooth

Put your AirPods Pro in pairing mode, then find them in your PC's Bluetooth settings and select them. The whole process takes about two minutes. Windows and Mac handle the final steps slightly differently, but the pairing itself is identical on both.

Your AirPods Pro will remember your PC after the first connection, so you won't have to pair them again unless you unpair them deliberately or reset the AirPods.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the case, hold the button on the back of the AirPods Pro case for three seconds until the light flashes white, then release.
  • On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device and select your AirPods Pro from the list.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth and click the plus button, then select your AirPods Pro.
  • Once paired, your AirPods Pro will connect automatically whenever Bluetooth is on and they are in range.
  • If your AirPods Pro don't appear in the Bluetooth list, reset them by holding the button on the back for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber and white.

How to put AirPods Pro into pairing mode

Open the case with your AirPods Pro inside. Look at the small button on the back of the case — not on the AirPods themselves, but on the case itself. Press and hold that button for about three seconds. You'll see a light on the front of the case start to flash white. That white flash means pairing mode is active.

Keep the case open and close to your PC while you complete the next step. Pairing mode stays active for about 15 seconds, so move quickly to your Bluetooth settings.

Pairing on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Click the Windows Start button and type "Bluetooth settings" into the search box. Open the Bluetooth & devices settings page. You should see an "Add device" button near the top — click it.

A window will pop up asking what kind of device you want to add. Select "Bluetooth" from the options. Your PC will start searching for nearby Bluetooth devices. Your AirPods Pro should appear in the list within a few seconds, usually labeled as "AirPods Pro." Click on them to select them.

Windows will show a message saying your AirPods Pro are connected. You may see a prompt asking whether to allow the device to connect to your PC — click "Yes" or "Allow" if it appears. Your AirPods Pro are now paired with your Windows PC.

Pairing on 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. You should see a list of available Bluetooth devices, and your AirPods Pro should appear there within a few seconds.

Click the "Connect" button next to your AirPods Pro. Mac will pair them automatically. Once the status changes to "Connected," you're done. Your AirPods Pro are now paired with your Mac.

What to do if your AirPods Pro don't appear in the Bluetooth list

If you don't see your AirPods Pro in the Bluetooth settings after 15 seconds, they may have exited pairing mode. Open the case again, hold the button on the back for three seconds until you see the white flash, and try the Bluetooth search again.

If they still don't appear, reset your AirPods Pro completely. Hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds. You'll see the light flash amber and white — that means they're reset. Then put them back into pairing mode by holding the button again for three seconds until the light flashes white, and try pairing with your PC again.

Make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on in your PC's settings. On Windows, check that Bluetooth is toggled on in Settings > Bluetooth & devices. On Mac, make sure Bluetooth is on in System Settings > Bluetooth. If Bluetooth is off, your PC won't see any devices.

Connecting after the first pairing

Once your AirPods Pro are paired, they'll connect automatically whenever you turn them on and your PC's Bluetooth is active. You don't have to go through pairing mode again. Just open the case near your PC, and they should connect within a few seconds.

If your AirPods Pro are connected to another device (like your iPhone), they may not connect to your PC automatically. You can manually connect them by going back to Bluetooth settings and selecting your AirPods Pro from the list of paired devices. Only one device can use them at a time, so connecting to your PC will disconnect them from your phone.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If your AirPods Pro connect but then disconnect, or if the connection keeps dropping, try moving closer to your PC. Bluetooth works best within about 30 feet, and walls or other electronics can interfere. Move your PC and AirPods Pro closer together and try again.

If the problem continues, forget the AirPods Pro from your PC's Bluetooth settings and pair them again from scratch. On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods Pro in the list, click the three dots next to them, and select "Remove device." On Mac, click the X next to your AirPods Pro in the Bluetooth settings. Then put your AirPods Pro back into pairing mode and pair them again.

If your AirPods Pro still won't stay connected, the issue may be with your PC's Bluetooth hardware rather than the AirPods themselves. Try pairing them with another device to confirm they work. If they pair fine with your phone but not your PC, your PC's Bluetooth may need a driver update or repair — contact your PC manufacturer's support for help with that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install any software to use AirPods Pro on my PC?

No. AirPods Pro use standard Bluetooth, so your PC's built-in Bluetooth drivers handle everything. Windows and Mac both support AirPods Pro without any extra software or apps. Just pair them through Bluetooth settings and they work.

Can I use AirPods Pro on my PC and my iPhone at the same time?

No. AirPods Pro can only connect to one device at a time. If they're connected to your iPhone, you'll have to manually switch them to your PC through Bluetooth settings. When you do, they'll disconnect from your phone. You can switch back and forth, but not use both simultaneously.

Why does the microphone sound bad when I use AirPods Pro on my PC?

Windows and Mac sometimes use a lower-quality Bluetooth codec for microphone input to improve stability. This is normal and not a problem with your AirPods Pro. If you're in a video call and the other person says you sound muffled, try moving closer to your PC or restarting your Bluetooth connection.

What if I forgot which PC my AirPods Pro are paired with?

Your AirPods Pro remember every device they've been paired with, but they can only connect to one at a time. If you want to pair them with a different PC, just put them into pairing mode on the new PC and pair them again. They'll stay paired with both PCs, but will connect to whichever one is closest and has Bluetooth on.

Can I use AirPods Pro on a PC without Bluetooth?

No. AirPods Pro only work wirelessly over Bluetooth — there's no wired option. If your PC doesn't have built-in Bluetooth, you can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter for about $15 to $30 and plug it into a USB port. Then pair your AirPods Pro with that adapter the same way you would with built-in Bluetooth.