How to Connect AirPods Pro to Your Device

The basic connection process

AirPods Pro connect to your device through Bluetooth, which means they work with iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs. The first time you pair them, hold the case near your device with the AirPods inside, then open the case. Your device will show a setup screen — tap "Connect" and follow the prompts. After that first pairing, your AirPods Pro will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near that device.

If you're connecting to a device that isn't an Apple product — an Android phone, Windows computer, or non-Apple tablet — the process is slightly different. Open the Settings app on your device, turn on Bluetooth, then hold down the button on the back of the AirPods Pro case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white. Your device will then show AirPods Pro in the available Bluetooth list. Tap the name to pair.

Once paired with a non-Apple device, your AirPods Pro will try to reconnect to that device when Bluetooth is on, just as they do with Apple products. You can pair the same AirPods Pro with multiple devices, but they will only actively connect to one at a time.

Key Takeaways

On Apple devices, open the case near your phone or computer and tap "Connect" on the setup screen that appears automatically.
On Android or Windows devices, go to Bluetooth settings, hold the case button for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, then select AirPods Pro from the list.
After the first pairing, your AirPods Pro reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near a device they have been paired with.
You can pair one set of AirPods Pro with multiple devices, but they will only connect to one device at a time.
If your AirPods Pro do not appear in Bluetooth settings, make sure the case battery has charge and try holding the button for a full 15 seconds.

Pairing with an iPhone or iPad

On an iPhone or iPad, the pairing process is the fastest. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in Settings, then hold your AirPods Pro case near the device with the AirPods inside. Within a few seconds, a large white card will appear on your screen showing an image of the AirPods and a "Connect" button. Tap that button, and the pairing is complete.

If the automatic setup screen does not appear, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, make sure it is on, then hold the case button for 15 seconds until the light on the front of the case flashes white. Your AirPods Pro will then show up in the Bluetooth list under "Other Devices." Tap the name to pair manually.

Once paired, your AirPods Pro will appear in the Bluetooth menu under "My Devices" with a blue dot next to the name when they are connected. You can then tap the information icon (the small "i" in a circle) next to the AirPods name to adjust settings like microphone behavior, transparency mode, and automatic ear detection.

Pairing with a Mac

Connecting AirPods Pro to a Mac works almost identically to iPhone and iPad. Hold the case near your Mac with the AirPods inside, and a setup window will appear. Click "Connect" to complete the pairing. If the window does not appear, open System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), click Bluetooth, then hold the case button for 15 seconds until the light flashes white and the AirPods appear in the list.

After pairing, your AirPods Pro will show in the Bluetooth menu at the top of the screen. Click the Bluetooth icon and you will see your AirPods Pro listed — click the name to connect or disconnect them. You can also adjust AirPods settings by going to System Settings, clicking Bluetooth, finding your AirPods Pro in the list, and clicking the information icon.

Connecting to Android phones and tablets

Android devices do not have the automatic setup screen that Apple devices do, so you will need to use the Bluetooth settings menu. Open Settings on your Android phone or tablet, tap "Bluetooth" or "Connected devices," and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Then hold down the button on the back of the AirPods Pro case for about 15 seconds. The light on the front of the case will flash white, which means the AirPods are in pairing mode.

Look for "AirPods Pro" in the list of available devices and tap it. Your phone will show a pairing request — confirm it, and the connection is complete. After this, your AirPods Pro will reconnect to your Android device whenever Bluetooth is on and the case is opened nearby.

Note that some Android features may not work with AirPods Pro the way they do on Apple devices. For example, you may not be able to use Siri voice commands, and some noise-canceling settings might be limited. The AirPods will still play audio and handle calls, but you will have fewer customization options in the Android settings menu.

Pairing with Windows computers

On a Windows computer, open Settings and click "Bluetooth & devices" (or "Devices" on older versions of Windows). Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Then hold the button on the back of the AirPods Pro case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white. Your AirPods Pro will appear in the list of available devices — click "Add device" or the AirPods Pro name to pair.

Windows will show a pairing confirmation. Accept it, and your AirPods Pro are now connected. You can then adjust volume and playback using the Windows volume controls or media keys on your keyboard. Like Android, Windows does not support all AirPods Pro features — Siri will not work, and some settings are unavailable — but audio playback and microphone functions work normally.

What to do if your AirPods Pro won't connect

If your AirPods Pro do not appear in your device's Bluetooth list, the most common cause is a low or dead case battery. Check the battery status by opening the case near an Apple device — a battery indicator will appear on screen. If the case battery is low, charge it for at least 15 minutes before trying again. You can also check the case battery by looking at the small LED light on the back of the case: white means charged, amber means low, and no light means the battery is empty.

If the battery is charged and your AirPods Pro still do not appear, try forgetting the device and re-pairing. On Apple devices, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods Pro, tap the information icon, and select "Forget This Device." Then hold the case button for 15 seconds and pair again. On Android or Windows, go to Bluetooth settings, find AirPods Pro in the list, and tap "Forget" or "Remove," then repeat the 15-second button hold and pairing process.

If your AirPods Pro still will not connect after charging and forgetting, try resetting them. Hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds, but this time keep holding it for another 10 seconds after the light starts flashing white — it will then flash amber. Release the button. Your AirPods Pro are now reset to factory settings and will pair like new. You will need to pair them with all your devices again.

Switching between devices

If you have paired your AirPods Pro with multiple Apple devices, they will automatically switch to whichever device you are actively using. For example, if you are listening to music on your iPhone and then start a FaceTime call on your iPad, your AirPods Pro will switch to the iPad automatically. This only works smoothly if all your devices are signed into the same Apple ID.

To manually switch between devices on Apple products, open Control Center (swipe down from the top right on iPhone or iPad, or click the Control Center icon on Mac), tap the audio card at the top, and select your AirPods Pro from the list of available audio outputs. On Android and Windows, you will need to go to Bluetooth settings and manually select your AirPods Pro from the list each time you want to switch devices.

If you want your AirPods Pro to stop connecting to a particular device, go to that device's Bluetooth settings and select "Forget" or "Remove." The AirPods will no longer try to reconnect to that device, though you can always pair them again later by repeating the pairing process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my AirPods Pro every time I use them?

No. Once you pair them the first time, they will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near a device they have been paired with. You only need to pair them once per device.

Can I use AirPods Pro with both an iPhone and an Android phone?

Yes. You can pair the same AirPods Pro with both devices, but they will only connect to one at a time. When you want to switch, you will need to manually select them in the Bluetooth settings of the Android phone.

Why does the light on my AirPods Pro case flash amber instead of white?

An amber flash means the case battery is low. Charge the case for at least 15 minutes. A white flash means the AirPods are in pairing mode and ready to connect to a new device.

What should I do if my AirPods Pro keep disconnecting?

First, make sure both the AirPods and your device have a clear line of sight and are within about 30 feet of each other. If disconnections continue, try forgetting the device in Bluetooth settings and re-pairing. If the problem persists, reset your AirPods Pro by holding the case button for 25 seconds total until the light flashes amber.

Can I use AirPods Pro with a smart TV?

Yes, if your TV has Bluetooth. Go to your TV's Bluetooth settings, hold the AirPods Pro case button for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, then select them from the available devices list. Not all TV features may work — you may only be able to control volume through the TV remote.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.