The basic connection process
AirPod Pro Max connect the same way most Bluetooth headphones do: you put them in pairing mode, then select them from your device's Bluetooth settings. The difference is that Apple headphones remember your Apple ID account, so once you pair them to one device, they can switch between your other Apple devices without you doing anything.
The first time you use them, open the case (or turn them on if you're pairing to a non-Apple device), hold them near your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and a setup card appears on your screen. Tap "Connect" and you're done — the headphones are now linked to your Apple ID and will show up on all your other Apple devices automatically.
If you're pairing to an Android phone, Windows PC, or any non-Apple device, the process is manual: press and hold the noise control button on the left ear cup for about 3 seconds until the LED light flashes white, then find "AirPods Pro Max" in your device's Bluetooth settings and select it.
Key Takeaways
- Apple devices show a setup card automatically when you hold new AirPod Pro Max nearby; non-Apple devices require you to manually enter Bluetooth settings and select the headphones.
- Once connected to your Apple ID, AirPod Pro Max appear on all your other iPhones, iPads, and Macs without additional setup.
- The noise control button on the left ear cup is what puts the headphones into pairing mode for non-Apple devices.
- If the setup card doesn't appear on your Apple device, make sure Bluetooth is on and the headphones are charged and nearby.
Connecting to your first Apple device
When you unbox AirPod Pro Max for the first time and hold them near an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that's signed into your Apple ID, a large card appears on the screen showing the headphones' name and battery level. This is Apple's automatic setup process, and it's the fastest way to pair them.
Tap the "Connect" button on that card. Your device will connect to the headphones and store your pairing information linked to your Apple ID. This takes about 10 to 15 seconds. Once it's done, you'll see a confirmation message and the headphones are ready to use.
If the setup card doesn't appear, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings, the headphones are charged, and they're within a few feet of your device. You can also manually pair them by going to Settings > Bluetooth, waiting for "AirPods Pro Max" to appear in the list, and tapping it.
Adding them to your other Apple devices
After you connect AirPod Pro Max to your first device, they automatically appear on your other iPhones, iPads, and Macs that are signed into the same Apple ID. You don't need to pair them again — the headphones remember your account.
To use them on a second device, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find "AirPods Pro Max" in the list, and tap it. The headphones will disconnect from your first device and connect to the second one. This usually takes a few seconds.
If the headphones don't appear in Bluetooth settings on your other devices, sign out of iCloud on that device and sign back in with the same Apple ID you used on your first device. Then try Bluetooth settings again.
Pairing with Android, Windows, or other devices
AirPod Pro Max work with Android phones and Windows PCs, but they don't get the automatic setup that Apple devices do. You have to pair them manually each time you want to use them on a non-Apple device.
To pair with Android or Windows, press and hold the noise control button (the one on the left ear cup) for about 3 seconds. The LED light on the headphones will flash white, which means they're in pairing mode. On your Android phone or Windows PC, open Bluetooth settings, wait for "AirPods Pro Max" to appear in the list of available devices, and tap or click it. The connection usually takes 10 to 20 seconds.
Once paired, the headphones will remember that device and connect automatically the next time you put them on and turn on Bluetooth. However, they won't switch between your Android phone and Windows PC the way they switch between Apple devices — you have to manually select them in Bluetooth settings each time.
Troubleshooting a failed connection
If the headphones won't connect, the most common cause is that they're not in pairing mode or they're already connected to another device. Try disconnecting them from any other device first, then put them back into pairing mode by holding the noise control button for 3 seconds.
If you see "AirPods Pro Max" in your Bluetooth list but tapping it doesn't work, try "forgetting" the headphones and pairing again. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the headphones in the list, tap the information icon next to them, and select "Forget This Device." Then put the headphones back into pairing mode and pair them again.
Make sure the headphones have enough battery — they need at least 10 to 15 percent charge to pair. If the battery is very low, plug them in for a few minutes before trying again. You can check the battery level by holding the headphones near an Apple device (the battery card appears on screen) or by checking your device's Bluetooth settings.
Switching between devices you've already paired
Once AirPod Pro Max are paired to a device, they remember that pairing. When you want to switch to a different device, you don't have to pair them again — just open Bluetooth settings on the new device and select the headphones.
On Apple devices, you can also switch by opening Control Center (swipe down from the top right on iPhone or iPad, or swipe down from the top of the screen on Mac), tapping the audio card, and selecting "AirPods Pro Max" from the list of available audio devices. This is faster than going into full Bluetooth settings.
If the headphones are currently connected to another device, they'll disconnect from that device and connect to the new one. This usually takes a few seconds. If they don't connect right away, make sure Bluetooth is on and the headphones are nearby.
Resetting the headphones if pairing still won't work
If you've tried everything and the headphones still won't pair, you can reset them to factory settings. This erases all pairing information and lets you start fresh.
To reset, press and hold both the noise control button (left ear cup) and the digital crown (right ear cup) for about 15 seconds. The LED light will flash amber, then white. Release the buttons and wait a few seconds — the headphones are now reset and ready to pair as if they were brand new.
After a reset, you'll need to pair them again to all your devices. Start with your primary Apple device by holding the headphones nearby and tapping "Connect" on the setup card, then add them to your other devices as described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pair AirPod Pro Max to every device separately?
No, not for Apple devices. Once you pair them to one iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed into your Apple ID, they automatically appear on your other Apple devices. For Android phones and Windows PCs, you have to pair them manually each time, but they'll remember the pairing and reconnect automatically when you turn on Bluetooth.
Why won't the setup card appear on my iPhone?
The setup card only appears if Bluetooth is on, the headphones are charged and nearby, and you're signed into iCloud with your Apple ID. If none of those are the issue, try restarting your iPhone or manually pairing through Settings > Bluetooth instead.
Can I use AirPod Pro Max with multiple people's Apple IDs?
No. AirPod Pro Max are linked to a single Apple ID. If someone else wants to use them, they can pair them to their own device, but the headphones will switch back to the original Apple ID's devices automatically. To fully switch ownership, you'd need to reset the headphones and pair them to the new person's Apple ID.
What if my headphones are already paired to someone else's device?
Reset the headphones by holding the noise control button and digital crown for 15 seconds until the light flashes white. This erases the previous pairing. Then pair them to your own device as if they were new.
Do AirPod Pro Max stay connected if I turn off Bluetooth?
No. If you turn off Bluetooth on your device, the headphones disconnect. When you turn Bluetooth back on, they'll reconnect automatically within a few seconds, as long as they're nearby and charged.