AirPods can switch between two devices, but not play audio from both simultaneously
AirPods will remember and connect to multiple devices, but they play sound from only one at a time. When you're using AirPods with your iPhone, they won't also play audio from your Mac or iPad in the background. You can switch which device they're connected to, but the switch takes a few seconds and requires manual action or a settings change on the device you want to use.
This matters if you work across multiple Apple devices during the day. You might want AirPods connected to your work Mac but also paired with your personal iPhone. They'll do that — but when a call comes in on your iPhone while you're listening to music on your Mac, you'll need to tell the AirPods which one to use.
Key Takeaways
- AirPods automatically remember up to eight devices and can switch between them, but only play audio from one device at a time.
- To switch which device your AirPods are listening to, open Control Center on the device you want to use and tap the audio card, then select your AirPods.
- If you want AirPods to automatically switch to an incoming call on a different device, they will do that without you touching anything.
- Some Android devices can pair with AirPods, but the pairing process is different and switching between Android and Apple devices requires manual reconnection.
How to pair AirPods with a second Apple device
Put your AirPods in their case and open the lid. Hold the case near the second device — iPhone, iPad, or Mac — until you see the pairing screen. Tap "Connect" when it appears. Your AirPods are now paired with both devices.
You don't need to unpair them from your first device. AirPods stay paired with every device you've connected them to until you manually remove them. This is why they can switch so quickly between your devices — they already know how to find each device on your network.
Switching AirPods between devices manually
On iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center. Tap and hold the audio card in the upper right. You'll see a list of devices at the bottom. Tap your AirPods to switch to that device. The switch usually takes two to five seconds.
On Mac, click the volume icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen. A dropdown menu appears. Select your AirPods from the list of audio output devices. On older Macs, you may need to go to System Settings > Sound instead.
On Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center, tap the audio card, and select your AirPods. The watch will then play audio through them instead of its speaker.
Automatic switching when you receive a call or notification
If someone calls you on your iPhone while your AirPods are connected to your Mac, the AirPods will automatically switch to your iPhone and play the incoming call. You don't have to do anything. The same happens with FaceTime calls, messages with audio, or any notification that produces sound.
Once you finish the call or notification, your AirPods stay on your iPhone. They don't automatically switch back to your Mac. You'll need to manually switch them back if you want to keep listening to your Mac.
Connecting AirPods to Android devices
AirPods work with Android phones and tablets, but the pairing process is different. Open Bluetooth settings on your Android device, put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds, and select them from the Bluetooth list.
Switching between an Android device and an Apple device requires you to manually reconnect. AirPods won't automatically jump to your Android phone the way they do between iPhone and Mac. You'll need to go into Bluetooth settings on the Android device and select your AirPods each time you want to use them there.
If you own both Apple and Android devices and want seamless switching, AirPods are not the best choice. Consider headphones that support multi-device pairing across different operating systems, such as Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
Removing AirPods from a device
If you want to stop your AirPods from connecting to a specific device, you need to unpair them. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the info icon next to them, and select "Forget This Device." On Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the info icon, and choose "Remove."
Unpairing removes that device from your AirPods' memory. They won't automatically connect to it anymore. You can re-pair them anytime by opening the case near the device again.
Troubleshooting when AirPods won't switch devices
If your AirPods stay connected to one device and won't switch, make sure Bluetooth is turned on for the device you want to use. Open Control Center or Bluetooth settings and look for your AirPods in the list. If they don't appear, they may still be connected to another device — disconnect them there first, then try connecting to the new device.
If your AirPods are in the list but won't connect, forget them and re-pair. The process takes about 30 seconds and usually fixes connection problems. If one AirPod connects but the other doesn't, put both back in the case for 30 seconds, then try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I listen to music on my Mac while my iPhone plays a podcast at the same time?
No. AirPods play audio from only one device at a time. If both devices are trying to send audio to your AirPods, only one will get through — usually whichever device you used most recently. You'll need to pause one device to hear the other.
Will my AirPods automatically connect to my iPad if I'm already using them with my iPhone?
No, they stay connected to your iPhone. You have to manually switch them to your iPad using Control Center. The exception is if you receive a call or notification on your iPad — then they'll switch automatically to play that sound.
Do I have to re-pair my AirPods every time I switch devices?
No. Once you've paired them with a device, they stay paired. Switching is just telling them which device to listen to right now. You can switch back and forth as many times as you want without re-pairing.
What happens if I lose one of my AirPods?
You can still use the remaining AirPod in one ear, and audio will play in mono. To find the lost one, use Find My on any of your paired Apple devices — it will play a sound to help you locate it. If you can't find it, you can buy a replacement single AirPod from Apple.
Can I use AirPods with my Windows laptop?
Yes, AirPods work with Windows via Bluetooth. Pair them the same way you would with Android — put them in pairing mode and select them from Bluetooth settings. Switching between Windows and your iPhone requires manual reconnection each time.