The basic process: put them in pairing mode, then select them from your laptop

AirPods 4 connect to a laptop the same way they connect to a phone — through Bluetooth. You'll put the AirPods in pairing mode, then tell your laptop to find and remember them. The whole process takes about two minutes, and you only have to do it once. After that, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near your laptop.

The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have a Mac or a Windows laptop, but the underlying idea is identical: make the AirPods discoverable, then select them from your device's Bluetooth settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Put your AirPods 4 in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for three seconds until the light flashes white.
  • On a Mac, open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and click your AirPods 4 when they appear in the list.
  • On Windows, open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, click Add device, and choose your AirPods 4 from the list.
  • Once paired, your AirPods will reconnect automatically when you open the case near your laptop, as long as Bluetooth is turned on.
  • If your AirPods don't appear, close the case, wait five seconds, and try the pairing process again.

How to put AirPods 4 in pairing mode

Before your laptop can see your AirPods, they need to be in pairing mode. This tells them to broadcast their presence to nearby devices. Open the AirPods case and look at the small light on the front — this is the status light.

Hold down the button on the back of the case for about three seconds. You'll feel a small click. Keep holding until the status light flashes white, which usually takes another second or two. A white flash means the AirPods are now in pairing mode and ready to be found by your laptop. If the light flashes amber instead, the AirPods are low on battery — charge them for at least 15 minutes before trying again.

Leave the case open while you complete the next steps. The AirPods will stay in pairing mode for about two minutes, which is plenty of time.

Connecting on a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings. In the sidebar on the left, click Bluetooth. Your Mac will start scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices.

Your AirPods 4 should appear in the list within a few seconds, usually labeled as "AirPods 4" or "AirPods (2nd generation)" depending on your model. Click the Connect button next to them. Your Mac will pair with the AirPods and remember them from now on.

Once connected, you'll see "Connected" next to your AirPods in the Bluetooth list. You can close System Settings. Your AirPods are now ready to use with your Mac.

Connecting on Windows

Click the Start button in the bottom-left corner and select Settings. In the Settings window, click Bluetooth & devices on the left sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you'll see a toggle switch at the top of the Bluetooth section.

Click the Add device button near the top of the window. A small window will pop up asking what kind of device you want to add. Select Bluetooth. Windows will start scanning for nearby devices.

Your AirPods 4 should appear in the list within a few seconds. Click on them to select them, then click Done. Windows will pair with the AirPods and remember them. You can close the Settings window.

What to do if your AirPods don't appear

If your AirPods don't show up in the device list after 10 seconds, close the case completely and wait five seconds. Then open it again and repeat the pairing mode steps — hold the back button until the light flashes white. Sometimes the AirPods drop out of pairing mode if they don't connect quickly.

Make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on in your laptop's settings. On a Mac, you can see the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar — if it's not there, go back to System Settings and turn Bluetooth on. On Windows, check the Bluetooth toggle in Settings to make sure it's switched to On.

If the AirPods still don't appear, try moving them closer to your laptop. Bluetooth works best within about 30 feet, but interference from other wireless devices can reduce that range. Move away from a WiFi router or other Bluetooth devices if possible, then try pairing again.

How to reconnect after the first time

Once you've paired your AirPods 4 with your laptop, they'll reconnect automatically the next time you open the case near it. You don't have to do anything — just open the case and wait a few seconds. Your laptop will recognize the AirPods and connect them.

If your AirPods don't reconnect automatically, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your laptop's settings. You can also manually reconnect by going back to Bluetooth settings and clicking Connect next to your AirPods. If you want to use your AirPods with a different device, just open the case near that device and they'll connect to it instead — AirPods remember multiple devices and switch between them.

Switching audio output to your AirPods

After your AirPods are connected, your laptop might not automatically send sound to them. You need to tell your laptop to use the AirPods as the audio output device. On a Mac, click the volume icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar, then select your AirPods 4 from the list of output devices. On Windows, right-click the volume icon in the bottom-right corner, select Open Volume mixer, and change the output device to your AirPods.

Once you've selected the AirPods as your output device, all sound from your laptop — music, videos, video calls — will play through them. You can switch back to your laptop's built-in speakers the same way, by selecting them from the audio output menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPods 4 with both a Mac and a Windows laptop?

Yes. AirPods use standard Bluetooth, so they work with any laptop that has Bluetooth. You'll need to pair them separately with each device, but once you do, they'll remember both. You can switch between your Mac and Windows laptop by opening the AirPods case near whichever device you want to use.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my laptop?

Bluetooth disconnections usually happen when your laptop goes to sleep or when the AirPods move out of range. Make sure Bluetooth stays on even when your laptop is idle. If disconnections happen frequently, try moving closer to your laptop or away from other wireless devices. You can also try forgetting the AirPods in your Bluetooth settings and pairing them again from scratch.

Do I need to charge my AirPods before pairing them?

Your AirPods 4 come partially charged, so you can pair them right out of the box. However, if the status light flashes amber instead of white during pairing mode, the battery is too low — charge them for at least 15 minutes before trying again.

What if I want to unpair my AirPods from my laptop?

On a Mac, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, find your AirPods, and click the X or Remove button next to them. On Windows, go to Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods in the list, click on them, and select Remove device. Your AirPods will no longer automatically connect to that laptop.

Can I use AirPods 4 with a laptop that doesn't have Bluetooth?

No. AirPods only connect via Bluetooth — there's no wired option or USB adapter. If your laptop doesn't have Bluetooth built in, you would need to buy a USB Bluetooth adapter, which plugs into a USB port and adds Bluetooth capability. These are inexpensive and widely available, but most modern laptops have Bluetooth already.