Pairing AirPods to a Mac or Windows laptop takes three to five minutes

New AirPods come in pairing mode by default — you do not need to do anything to set up it. On a Mac, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, then select your AirPods from the list and click Connect. On Windows, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, click Add device, select Bluetooth, then choose your AirPods. Both systems will show a confirmation when pairing is complete.

The process is the same whether you are using AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or standard AirPods. The main difference is that AirPods Max take longer to power on the first time — hold the button on the back for about 15 seconds until you see the pairing screen, then follow the same steps as above.

If your AirPods do not appear in the list, make sure Bluetooth is turned on, the AirPods are charged, and you are within 30 feet of your laptop. If they still do not show up, hold the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white, then try again.

Key Takeaways

  • New AirPods are already in pairing mode when you open the case — you do not need to press any buttons first.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, and select your AirPods from the device list.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, click Add device, select Bluetooth, and choose your AirPods.
  • If your AirPods do not appear, reset them by holding the setup button for 15 seconds until the light flashes white.

Mac-specific steps for System Settings

On a Mac running macOS 13 or later, the Bluetooth menu is in System Settings rather than System Preferences. Click the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings, then click Bluetooth in the sidebar. Your AirPods should appear under "Available Devices" within a few seconds of opening the case nearby.

Click your AirPods in the list. A window will pop up asking you to confirm the pairing. Click Connect, and your Mac will show "Connected" next to the AirPods name. You can now close System Settings — your AirPods will stay connected to your Mac even after you restart.

If you have multiple Apple devices, your AirPods will try to switch between them automatically. To prevent this and keep them connected only to your laptop, go back to Bluetooth settings, click the information icon next to your AirPods, and toggle off "Automatic ear detection" or "Connect to this Mac" settings depending on your macOS version.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 pairing process

On Windows, open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then click Bluetooth & devices on the left sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is toggled on. Click "Add device" at the top, then select Bluetooth from the menu that appears.

Your laptop will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. Your AirPods should appear in the list within 10 seconds. Click them once to select, and Windows will show "Pairing" while it connects. Once it says "Connected," the pairing is complete and you can close Settings.

Windows does not automatically switch AirPods between devices the way Apple devices do. If you want to use the same AirPods on both your laptop and phone, you will need to manually disconnect them from one device and reconnect to the other through Bluetooth settings each time you switch.

What to do if AirPods do not show up in the device list

The most common reason AirPods do not appear is that Bluetooth is turned off on your laptop. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and make sure it says "Bluetooth: On." On Windows, go to Settings, Bluetooth & devices, and toggle the Bluetooth switch to on.

If Bluetooth is on but your AirPods still do not show up, reset them. Open the case, hold the small setup button on the back for 15 seconds until the light inside flashes white (not amber). This erases all previous pairings and puts the AirPods back in pairing mode. Then try the pairing steps again.

Make sure your AirPods have a charge — if the battery is completely dead, they will not broadcast a Bluetooth signal. Plug the case into a USB-C or Lightning cable for at least 15 minutes, then try pairing again. Also check that you are within 30 feet of your laptop and that no other devices are actively trying to pair with the AirPods at the same time.

Connecting previously paired AirPods to a new laptop

If your AirPods have already been paired to another device, they will not automatically appear in pairing mode on your new laptop. You need to "forget" them on the old device first, or reset them entirely.

To forget them on a Mac, go to System Settings, Bluetooth, click the information icon next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device." On Windows, go to Settings, Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods, click the three dots next to them, and select "Remove device." After that, your AirPods will enter pairing mode and you can pair them to your new laptop using the steps above.

If you do not have access to the old device, reset the AirPods by holding the setup button for 15 seconds. This will erase all pairings and let you pair them fresh to your laptop.

Testing audio after pairing is complete

Once your AirPods show as connected in Bluetooth settings, test them before relying on them for calls or video. On Mac, open System Settings, click Sound, and select your AirPods from the "Output device" dropdown. On Windows, go to Settings, Sound, scroll down to "Advanced," and click "Volume mixer." Find your AirPods in the list and make sure the volume is not muted or set to zero.

Play a video or audio file to confirm sound is coming through. If you hear nothing, disconnect the AirPods and reconnect them. If that does not work, restart your laptop — sometimes Bluetooth drivers need a fresh start to recognize new devices properly.

For video calls, check your meeting software separately. Open Zoom, Teams, or whatever you use, go to audio settings, and make sure your AirPods are selected as both the microphone and speaker. Some programs default to your laptop's built-in speakers even after you pair new headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair AirPods separately to each laptop I own?

Yes. Each device stores its own Bluetooth pairing information. If you own a Mac and a Windows laptop, you will need to pair your AirPods to both. Once paired, they will remember the connection and reconnect automatically when you turn on Bluetooth and open the AirPods case nearby.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my laptop?

AirPods prioritize Apple devices — if your iPhone or iPad is nearby and you unlock it, your AirPods will switch to that device automatically. To keep them connected to your laptop, turn off Bluetooth on your other Apple devices, or disable automatic switching in your AirPods settings. On Windows, AirPods will not switch automatically, so disconnections usually mean Bluetooth interference or low battery.

Can I use AirPods with both Mac and Windows at the same time?

No. AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. You will need to manually disconnect them from one laptop and reconnect to the other through Bluetooth settings. Some newer AirPods models have faster switching, but you still cannot use them on two devices simultaneously.

What if my AirPods are already paired to my iPhone — do I need to pair them again for my laptop?

Yes, you need a separate pairing on your laptop. However, if your laptop and iPhone are both Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account, your AirPods may appear in your Mac's Bluetooth list automatically without needing to pair again. Try clicking them in Bluetooth settings — if they connect without a pairing prompt, the automatic setup worked.

How do I know if my AirPods are in pairing mode?

New AirPods are in pairing mode by default when you open the case. If you have already paired them before, hold the setup button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light inside flashes white. An amber light means they are charging or already paired to another device.