The basic connection process

AirPods 4 connect to your device through Bluetooth pairing, which means they need to be set up once and then remember your device afterward. The first time you open the case near an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, a pairing screen appears automatically — you tap "Connect" and you're done. After that, the AirPods turn on whenever you open the case, and your device reconnects them without any action from you.

If you're connecting to a non-Apple device — an Android phone, Windows PC, or another brand of tablet — the process is slightly different. You'll need to manually put the AirPods into pairing mode by pressing and holding the button on the back of the case until the light flashes white, then find them in your device's Bluetooth settings and select them to pair.

The entire process takes less than a minute. Once paired, your AirPods will stay connected to that device as long as Bluetooth is turned on and you're within range — typically 30 to 40 feet indoors.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple devices show an automatic pairing screen when you open the AirPods case nearby; non-Apple devices require you to manually enable pairing mode and select the AirPods in Bluetooth settings.
  • The button on the back of the AirPods case controls pairing mode — hold it until the light flashes white to make them discoverable to any device.
  • After the first pairing, your AirPods automatically reconnect to that device whenever the case opens and Bluetooth is on.
  • AirPods 4 can be paired to multiple devices, but they actively connect to only one at a time; switching between devices is manual unless you use Apple's Handoff feature.

Pairing with iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch

Open the AirPods case and hold it near your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Within a few seconds, a setup screen appears on your device's screen showing the AirPods and asking you to connect. Tap "Connect" and the pairing completes when ready. Your device will then show the AirPods' battery level in the status bar or Control Center.

If the automatic pairing screen doesn't appear, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings. You can also go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad, look for "AirPods 4" in the list of available devices, and tap it to pair manually.

Once paired to an Apple device, your AirPods will also be available on any other Apple device signed into the same iCloud account — your Mac, second iPhone, or iPad will recognize them and connect automatically when you open the case near that device.

Pairing with Android phones and tablets

Press and hold the button on the back of the AirPods case for about 15 seconds until the light inside the case flashes white. This puts the AirPods into pairing mode, which lasts for about 15 minutes. On your Android device, go to Settings > Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is on, and wait for "AirPods 4" to appear in the list of available devices. Tap it to pair.

Android devices don't show the automatic pairing screen that iPhones do, so you'll need to complete the pairing through the Bluetooth settings menu. Once paired, the AirPods will reconnect to your Android device when you open the case and Bluetooth is on, just as they do with Apple devices.

Be aware that some Android features — like automatic ear detection or the ability to control volume with a double tap — may not work the same way they do on iPhones. The AirPods will still play audio and handle calls, but you may need to adjust settings in your Android device's Bluetooth menu to customize their behavior.

Pairing with Windows PCs and Mac computers

On a Mac, open the AirPods case near your computer and the pairing screen appears automatically, just as it does on iPhone. Click "Connect" to complete the pairing. On a Windows PC, press and hold the button on the back of the AirPods case until the light flashes white, then go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device, select "Bluetooth", and choose "AirPods 4" from the list.

After pairing to a Mac, your AirPods will also connect to any other Apple device on the same iCloud account. Windows PCs don't have this cross-device feature, so you'll need to pair your AirPods separately to each Windows computer you want to use them with.

On both Mac and Windows, you can control playback using the AirPods' touch controls, and the battery level will show in your system menu. Some features like Siri integration work more smoothly on Mac than on Windows, but basic audio and call functionality work on both.

Switching between devices

Once your AirPods are paired to multiple devices, they actively connect to only one at a time. When you open the case, they connect to whichever device you used them with most recently. To switch to a different device, go to that device's Bluetooth settings, find "AirPods 4" in the list of paired devices, and tap "Connect".

On Apple devices, you can use Handoff to switch automatically. If you're listening to audio on your iPhone and then pick up your iPad, the audio can transfer to the iPad without you manually reconnecting. This works across iPhones, iPads, and Macs on the same iCloud account, but not to Android or Windows devices.

If you want to pair your AirPods to a completely new device, you don't need to unpair them from the old one. straightforward put them into pairing mode again by holding the back button until the light flashes white, then pair them to the new device through its Bluetooth settings. The AirPods will remember both devices and connect to whichever one you use them with.

Troubleshooting connection problems

If your AirPods don't appear in your device's Bluetooth list, make sure the case has enough battery — the light inside the case should be white or amber. If the light is off, charge the case for at least 15 minutes. Also check that Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings and that you're not in airplane mode.

If the AirPods are in the list but won't connect, try "forgetting" them and pairing again. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the information icon next to "AirPods 4", and select "Forget This Device". Then open the AirPods case near your device again and pair from scratch. On Android, go to Settings > Bluetooth, long-press "AirPods 4", and tap "Forget" or "Unpair".

If one AirPod isn't working, try resetting them by placing both in the case, closing it for 15 seconds, then opening it again. If the problem persists, check that both AirPods are charged — the case shows the battery level of each one when you open it. You can also try restarting your device, as Bluetooth connection issues sometimes clear up after a restart.

What to do if pairing mode won't set up

The button on the back of the AirPods case can be hard to find at first. It's a small, recessed button on the back of the case itself, not on the AirPods. Make sure you're pressing the case button, not trying to press something on the earbuds. Hold it down firmly for about 15 seconds — you should see the light inside the case flash white, which means pairing mode is active.

If the light doesn't flash white, the case may need to be charged. Connect the case to power using the USB-C cable (on AirPods 4) and wait a few minutes before trying again. If the case still won't enter pairing mode after charging, try resetting the AirPods by holding the button for 15 seconds even after the light flashes white — keep holding until it flashes amber, then white again. This performs a full reset and clears all previous pairings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPods 4 with both an iPhone and an Android phone?

Yes. Pair them to your iPhone first, then put them into pairing mode again and pair them to your Android phone. They'll remember both devices. When you open the case, they'll connect to whichever device you used them with most recently. To switch between them, go to that device's Bluetooth settings and tap "Connect".

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting?

Disconnections usually happen when Bluetooth is turned off, you're out of range, or there's interference from other wireless devices. Check that Bluetooth is on and you're within 30 to 40 feet of your device. If disconnections continue, try forgetting the AirPods in your device's Bluetooth settings and pairing them again from scratch.

Do I have to pair my AirPods 4 every time I use them?

No. Once you pair them the first time, they stay paired to that device. Every time you open the case, they automatically turn on and reconnect. You only need to pair manually if you're connecting to a new device or if you've reset the AirPods.

What's the difference between pairing and connecting?

Pairing is the one-time setup where your device learns to recognize your AirPods. Connecting is what happens every time you open the case — your device finds the AirPods and establishes the Bluetooth link. You pair once; you connect every time you use them.

Can I pair AirPods 4 to a smartwatch that isn't an Apple Watch?

Most non-Apple smartwatches support Bluetooth audio, so you can pair AirPods 4 to them using the same process as Android phones — hold the case button until the light flashes white, then find them in the watch's Bluetooth settings. However, some watches have limited Bluetooth support, so check your watch's manual to confirm it can pair with third-party earbuds.