Connect AirPods to Your PC Using Bluetooth Settings

To connect AirPods to a Windows PC or Mac, you need to turn on Bluetooth on your computer, put your AirPods in pairing mode, and then select them from your Bluetooth menu. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you're using Windows 11, Windows 10, or macOS. Your AirPods will remember your PC after the first connection, so you won't have to pair them again unless you reset them.

AirPods use standard Bluetooth, which means they work with any PC that has Bluetooth built in or connected via a USB adapter. Older desktop computers without Bluetooth can still use AirPods if you buy a small USB Bluetooth dongle (around $10 to $20). Check your PC's device list or system settings to see if Bluetooth is already available before you buy an adapter.

Key Takeaways

  • Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, and select your AirPods from the list when they appear.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, and select your AirPods when they show up in the available devices list.
  • Once paired, your AirPods will connect automatically to your PC whenever Bluetooth is on and the AirPods are nearby.
  • If your PC doesn't have Bluetooth, you can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter to add the feature for under $25.

How to Put AirPods in Pairing Mode

Before your PC can find your AirPods, they need to be in pairing mode. Open the AirPods case and look at the small light on the front. Hold down the button on the back of the case (not the button on the AirPods themselves) for about 15 seconds. The light will first turn amber, then flash white. When it flashes white, your AirPods are ready to pair.

Keep the case open and near your PC while you search for them in your Bluetooth settings. If the light turns off or goes back to amber, hold the button again for another 15 seconds. The pairing mode stays active for about 15 minutes, so you have time to get to your settings without rushing.

Pairing AirPods on Windows 10 and Windows 11

On Windows, open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click Bluetooth & devices on the left side. Make sure the Bluetooth toggle is turned on (it should be blue). Your PC will now search for nearby Bluetooth devices.

Wait for your AirPods to appear in the list under "Available devices." When you see them, click on them once. Windows will show a pairing request. Click Pair to confirm. Your AirPods should connect within a few seconds, and you'll see them move to the "Your devices" section at the top of the Bluetooth menu.

If your AirPods don't show up after 30 seconds, go back to your AirPods case and hold the button on the back again for 15 seconds to re-enter pairing mode. Then refresh the Windows Bluetooth menu by clicking the refresh icon or closing and reopening Settings.

Pairing AirPods on Mac

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. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on by checking that the toggle shows "On."

Your Mac will automatically search for nearby Bluetooth devices. When your AirPods appear in the list, click on them once. A pairing window will pop up asking you to confirm. Click Connect or Pair. Your AirPods should connect within a few seconds and show a "Connected" status next to their name.

If your AirPods don't appear, hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds again to make sure they're in pairing mode, then check the Bluetooth menu again.

What to Do If Your PC Doesn't Have Bluetooth

If you don't see a Bluetooth option in your Settings menu, your PC doesn't have built-in Bluetooth. This is common on older desktop computers and some budget laptops. The solution is to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter, which plugs into any USB port on your PC and adds Bluetooth support. These adapters cost between $10 and $25 and work with both Windows and Mac.

Popular options include the Plugable USB Bluetooth adapter and the ASUS USB-BT500. Once you plug in the adapter, your PC should recognize it automatically. Then follow the same pairing steps as above — put your AirPods in pairing mode and search for them in your Bluetooth settings. The adapter will appear as a Bluetooth device in your settings menu, and you'll pair your AirPods through it.

Reconnecting AirPods After the First Time

After you pair your AirPods once, they will remember your PC. The next time you turn on your AirPods and bring them near your PC, they should connect automatically if Bluetooth is turned on. You don't need to go through the pairing process again.

If your AirPods don't connect automatically, open your Bluetooth settings and look for your AirPods in the list. Click on them to connect manually. If they don't appear at all, make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your PC and that your AirPods have a charged battery (the case light should be green or amber, not off).

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

AirPods won't show up in Bluetooth search: Make sure the case is open and you're holding the back button for the full 15 seconds. The light should flash white, not stay amber. If it stays amber, keep holding the button. Also check that your PC's Bluetooth is turned on and that you're looking at the right settings menu.

AirPods connect but have no sound: Open your Bluetooth settings and look for your AirPods. Click on them and select "Connect" or check that they show as "Connected." Then open the Volume mixer on your PC (search "Volume mixer" in Windows Settings or go to Sound settings on Mac) and make sure your AirPods are set as the default audio output device, not your speakers.

AirPods keep disconnecting: Move your PC and AirPods closer together — Bluetooth works best within 30 feet with a clear line of sight. If they still disconnect, forget the AirPods from your PC's Bluetooth menu and pair them again from scratch. On Windows, right-click your AirPods in the Bluetooth menu and select "Remove device." On Mac, click the X next to your AirPods in Bluetooth settings.

One AirPod has no sound: This usually means the battery in that AirPod is low. Put both AirPods back in the case and charge them for at least 15 minutes. If one AirPod still has no sound after charging, try forgetting and re-pairing them with your PC.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No, AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. If you want to switch from your PC to your iPhone, you need to disconnect them from your PC first or turn off Bluetooth on your PC. Then your AirPods will automatically connect to your iPhone. You can pair them with both devices, but they'll only be actively connected to one.

Do I need to install drivers for AirPods on Windows?

No, Windows recognizes AirPods as a standard Bluetooth device and doesn't require special drivers. Just turn on Bluetooth in your settings and pair them like any other Bluetooth headphones. If you're using a USB Bluetooth adapter, Windows may read drivers automatically the first time you plug it in.

Why does my PC keep asking me to pair my AirPods every time I turn them on?

This usually means your PC didn't save the pairing information. Try forgetting your AirPods from your Bluetooth menu completely, then pair them again from scratch. Make sure you click "Pair" or "Connect" when the pairing window appears, not just "Cancel." If it keeps happening, restart your PC and try pairing again.

Can I use AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with my PC the same way?

Yes, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max pair with PCs using the exact same process as regular AirPods. Hold the button on the back of the case until the light flashes white, then search for them in your PC's Bluetooth settings. Some features like noise cancellation work on PC, but some Apple-specific features like automatic switching between devices won't work.

What if my AirPods are already paired with my iPhone and I want to add my PC?

Your AirPods can be paired with multiple devices at once. Just put them in pairing mode again by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds, then pair them with your PC through Bluetooth settings. Your iPhone pairing will stay active, and you can switch between devices by disconnecting from one and connecting to the other.