Connect AirPods to Windows or Mac via Bluetooth

AirPods connect to a PC the same way any Bluetooth headphone does: you turn on Bluetooth on both devices, put your AirPods in pairing mode, and select them from your PC's list of available devices. The whole process takes about two minutes. After that first pairing, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever they're near your PC and Bluetooth is on.

The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, but the principle is identical. You'll need your AirPods charged to at least 20 percent battery, and your PC's Bluetooth radio must be turned on. Most modern laptops have Bluetooth built in; if yours doesn't, a USB Bluetooth adapter (around $15 to $30) will work.

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 Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device, then select your AirPods from the list.
  • On Mac, open System Settings > Bluetooth, then click the plus button and select your AirPods.
  • Once paired, your AirPods will reconnect automatically when Bluetooth is on and they're in range.
  • If your AirPods don't appear in the list, forget them from any other device they're currently paired with and try again.

Pairing Mode: How to Prepare Your AirPods

Before your PC can see your AirPods, they need to be in pairing mode. This tells them to broadcast their presence to nearby devices instead of just connecting to the last device they were paired with.

Open the AirPods case and keep the AirPods inside. On the back of the case, you'll find a small circular button. Press and hold it for about three seconds until the LED light on the front of the case starts flashing white. That white flash means pairing mode is active. Leave the case open during the pairing process—your PC needs to detect the AirPods themselves, not just the case.

Pairing mode stays active for about 15 minutes, so you have time to move to your PC and start the connection process. If the light stops flashing or turns amber, press the button again.

Windows: Connecting Through Settings

On Windows 10 or 11, the Bluetooth settings are in the Settings app. Click the Windows Start button, then type "Bluetooth" into the search box. Open "Bluetooth and other devices" (Windows 10) or "Bluetooth & devices" (Windows 11).

Look for the "Add device" or "Add Bluetooth device" button near the top of the window. Click it. Your PC will start scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices. Within a few seconds, your AirPods should appear in the list—they'll show up as "AirPods" or with a name you've given them if you've used them before. Click on them to select them.

Windows will then pair with your AirPods and set them as your audio output device. You should see a confirmation message. If pairing fails, go back and make sure your AirPods are still in pairing mode (the light should still be flashing white), then try again.

Mac: Connecting Through System Settings

On Mac, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions). Click "Bluetooth" in the sidebar. You should see a list of available Bluetooth devices. If your AirPods are in pairing mode, they'll appear in that list within a few seconds.

Click the plus button (+) at the bottom of the Bluetooth window, or straightforward click on your AirPods in the list. Mac will pair with them automatically. Once connected, your AirPods will appear in the Bluetooth menu with a "Connected" label underneath.

If you don't see a plus button, your AirPods may already be visible in the list—just click on them directly to connect. After pairing, you can set your AirPods as the default audio output by clicking the volume icon in the menu bar and selecting them from the sound output menu.

Switching Your PC's Audio Output to AirPods

Once your AirPods are paired, your PC may not automatically send sound to them. You need to tell your PC to use your AirPods as the speaker instead of your built-in speakers or monitor.

On Windows, right-click the volume icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar. Select "Open Volume mixer" or "Sound settings." Look for the "Output device" or "Choose your output device" section. Click the dropdown and select your AirPods. From now on, sound will play through them until you switch back.

On Mac, click the volume icon in the menu bar (top-right corner). A dropdown will appear showing available audio outputs. Select your AirPods. You can also go to System Settings > Sound and choose your AirPods under "Output."

Reconnecting After the First Time

After you've paired your AirPods once, they'll remember your PC. The next time you turn on your AirPods near your PC with Bluetooth enabled, they'll connect automatically within a few seconds. You don't need to go through pairing mode again.

If your AirPods don't reconnect automatically, check that Bluetooth is turned on in your PC's settings. On Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and make sure the Bluetooth toggle is on. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and confirm it says "Bluetooth: On."

If they still don't connect, you can manually select them from the Bluetooth menu. On Windows, go back to Bluetooth settings and click on your AirPods. On Mac, open Bluetooth settings and click "Connect" next to your AirPods.

Troubleshooting: AirPods Not Showing Up

If your AirPods don't appear in the list of available devices, the most common cause is that they're already paired with another device—usually your phone or tablet. Bluetooth devices can only pair with one device at a time, so your AirPods are probably trying to connect to your iPhone or iPad instead of your PC.

Open the Bluetooth settings on your phone or tablet and disconnect your AirPods from there. Then go back to your PC, make sure your AirPods are in pairing mode again (hold the button on the back of the case for three seconds), and try the pairing process once more.

If your AirPods still don't appear, try moving them closer to your PC. Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet, but walls and other devices can interfere. Also check that your PC's Bluetooth is actually turned on—it's straightforward to forget. If you've tried all this and they still won't show up, restart both your AirPods and your PC, put the AirPods back in pairing mode, and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPods with both my PC and my phone at the same time?

Not simultaneously. AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. However, they can be paired with multiple devices, and you can switch between them manually. To switch, disconnect them from your phone's Bluetooth settings and reconnect them to your PC, or vice versa. Some newer AirPods models support automatic switching, but this works best within Apple's ecosystem.

Why is the sound coming out of my PC speakers instead of my AirPods?

Your PC is set to use a different audio output device. Check your volume settings and make sure your AirPods are selected as the output device. On Windows, right-click the volume icon and choose your AirPods. On Mac, click the volume icon in the menu bar and select them from the dropdown.

Do I need to put my AirPods in pairing mode every time I connect to my PC?

No. Pairing mode is only needed the first time. After that, your AirPods will automatically reconnect to your PC whenever Bluetooth is on. You only need pairing mode again if you're pairing them with a completely new device or if you've reset them.

What if my PC doesn't have Bluetooth?

You can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter for $15 to $30. Plug it into a USB port on your PC, install any drivers if Windows prompts you, and then follow the same pairing steps. The adapter will work just like your PC's built-in Bluetooth.

Can I use AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with my PC?

Yes. All AirPods models—including AirPods Pro and AirPods Max—connect to PCs using the same Bluetooth process. The pairing steps are identical, though AirPods Max may take a few extra seconds to appear in the list because they're larger and have more features.