The basic connection process

To connect AirPods 4 to an iPad, open the AirPods case near your iPad, wait for the setup screen to appear on your iPad, tap "Connect", and then tap "Done". Your AirPods will then appear in your iPad's Bluetooth settings and connect automatically whenever they are nearby and turned on.

The setup screen usually appears within a few seconds of opening the case. If it does not appear, you can manually connect through Settings instead: go to Settings > Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is on, look for your AirPods in the list of available devices, and tap them to connect.

After the first connection, your AirPods 4 will stay paired to your iPad. They will reconnect on their own the next time you open the case near your iPad, as long as Bluetooth is turned on.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to connect is to open your AirPods case near your iPad and tap "Connect" on the setup screen that appears.
  • If no setup screen appears, go to Settings > Bluetooth, turn Bluetooth on, and select your AirPods from the list of devices.
  • Once connected, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near your iPad.
  • You can check the battery level of your AirPods in the Bluetooth settings or by swiping down from the top-right corner to see the battery widget.
  • If your AirPods do not connect, try restarting Bluetooth on your iPad or resetting your AirPods by holding the setup button for 15 seconds.

What to do if the setup screen does not appear

If opening the AirPods case near your iPad does not trigger the setup screen, the case battery may be low or Bluetooth may be off on your iPad. First, check that Bluetooth is enabled: swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad to open Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it on.

Next, try moving your AirPods closer to your iPad. The setup screen usually appears within a few feet. If you still see nothing after waiting 10 seconds, close the AirPods case and try again.

If the setup screen still does not appear, connect manually through Settings. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is on, and look for your AirPods in the "Other Devices" section. Tap them to connect. This method works just as well as the automatic setup screen.

Checking battery level and connection status

You can see your AirPods battery level in two places. The quickest way is to swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad to open Control Center, then look for the battery widget that shows your AirPods, iPad, and any other connected devices. This widget updates in real time as you use your AirPods.

You can also check battery level in Settings. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list of connected devices, and tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i") next to their name. This screen shows the battery percentage for each AirPod and the case.

If your AirPods are not showing up in either place, they may not be connected. Open the case near your iPad and wait for the setup screen, or reconnect manually through Settings > Bluetooth.

Switching AirPods between your iPad and other devices

Once your AirPods 4 are connected to your iPad, they will stay paired to it. If you want to use them with another device — like an iPhone or Mac — you can switch by opening the AirPods case near that device and tapping "Connect" on the setup screen, or by going to that device's Bluetooth settings and selecting your AirPods.

Your AirPods will remember all the devices they have been paired with. When you open the case near any of those devices, your AirPods will try to connect to whichever one you used most recently. If you want them to connect to a different device, open the case near that device instead.

You can also manually switch by going to that device's Bluetooth settings and selecting your AirPods from the list. This is useful if you want to use them with a device other than the one they usually connect to.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If your AirPods connect to your iPad but then disconnect, or if they connect but produce no sound, try these steps in order. First, go to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle Bluetooth off, wait 5 seconds, then toggle it back on. This often fixes temporary connection issues.

If that does not work, forget the AirPods from your iPad and reconnect them. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the information icon next to their name, and tap "Forget This Device". Then open your AirPods case near your iPad and reconnect using the setup screen or by selecting them in Bluetooth settings.

If you still have problems, reset your AirPods. Open the AirPods case, hold down the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light inside flashes amber and then white. Close the case and open it again near your iPad. The setup screen should appear, and you can reconnect as if they were brand new.

Audio output and volume control

Once your AirPods are connected, audio from your iPad will play through them automatically. You can control volume using the volume buttons on the side of your iPad, or by swiping up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Center and adjusting the volume slider there.

If you want to switch audio output back to your iPad's speakers while your AirPods are still connected, open Control Center, look for the audio output section at the top, and tap "iPad Speaker" or the name of another audio output device. Your AirPods will stay paired but will not play sound until you switch back to them.

You can also control playback — play, pause, skip forward, or skip backward — by tapping or double-tapping the stem of your AirPods. The default controls are: single tap to play or pause, double tap to skip forward, and triple tap to skip backward. You can customize these controls in Settings > Bluetooth by tapping the information icon next to your AirPods and scrolling to "Press and Hold AirPods".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect my AirPods 4 to multiple iPads at the same time?

Your AirPods can be paired with multiple iPads, but they can only play audio from one device at a time. When you open the case near a different iPad, they will disconnect from the first one and connect to the second. If you want to use them with a specific iPad, open the case near that iPad to make sure they connect to it.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my iPad?

This usually happens if Bluetooth is turned off, if your AirPods battery is very low, or if your iPad is too far away from your AirPods. Try turning Bluetooth off and on again, charging your AirPods, and moving closer to your iPad. If the problem continues, forget your AirPods in Settings and reconnect them.

Do I need to do anything special to connect AirPods 4 to an older iPad?

AirPods 4 work with any iPad that supports Bluetooth and runs iPadOS 18 or later. If your iPad is older and cannot update to iPadOS 18, you can still connect your AirPods manually through Settings > Bluetooth, but the automatic setup screen will not appear.

What should I do if my AirPods connect but I hear no sound?

First, check that your AirPods are selected as the audio output device. Open Control Center, look at the audio output section, and make sure your AirPods are listed. If they are not, tap them to switch to them. If sound still does not play, try restarting Bluetooth or forgetting and reconnecting your AirPods.

Can I use only one AirPod instead of both?

Yes. You can use just the left AirPod, just the right AirPod, or both together. straightforward put whichever AirPod you want to use in your ear and leave the other in the case. Your iPad will play audio through whichever AirPod is in use.