The basic steps to pair AirPods with a PC or Mac

AirPods connect to a Windows PC or Mac the same way they connect to an iPhone: through Bluetooth. Put your AirPods in their case, open the case lid, and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 10 seconds until the light inside flashes white. Then go to your computer's Bluetooth settings, find "AirPods" in the list of available devices, and click to connect. Your computer will remember them after that first pairing, so they'll reconnect automatically when you turn them on nearby.

The exact steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, and the process is faster on a Mac because Apple designed both devices. But the core idea is the same: put the AirPods in pairing mode, tell your computer to look for them, and confirm the connection.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the setup button on the back of your AirPods case for 10 seconds until the light flashes white to enter pairing mode.
  • On a Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, wait for AirPods to appear, and click Connect next to them.
  • On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device, select Bluetooth, and choose AirPods from the list.
  • After the first pairing, AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever Bluetooth is on and they're in range.
  • If AirPods don't appear in your Bluetooth list, reset them by holding the setup button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then try pairing again.

Pairing AirPods with a Mac

On a Mac, the pairing process is straightforward. First, put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the setup button on the back of the case for about 10 seconds. The light inside the case will flash white when they're ready to pair. Then click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings, and go to Bluetooth. Your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Click the Connect button next to them.

Once connected, your Mac will show "Connected" next to the AirPods name in the Bluetooth menu. You can now use them for audio and video calls. If you want to change which device your AirPods are connected to — say, switching from your Mac to your iPhone — you can do that from the Bluetooth menu on either device, or by holding down the Digital Crown on your AirPods Pro to switch between paired devices.

Pairing AirPods with a Windows PC

Windows requires a few more steps than Mac, but the process is still straightforward. Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the setup button on the back of the case for 10 seconds until the light flashes white. Then click the Windows Start button, go to Settings, and select Bluetooth & devices. Click the "Add device" button at the top, then choose Bluetooth from the popup menu.

Windows will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. When your AirPods appear in the list, click on them to connect. Windows may ask you to confirm the pairing — just click Yes or Connect. After that, your AirPods will appear in your Bluetooth device list and will reconnect automatically whenever they're in range and Bluetooth is turned on.

What to do if your AirPods don't show up in Bluetooth settings

If your AirPods aren't appearing in your computer's Bluetooth list, the most common fix is to reset them. Hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds — longer than the pairing button press — until the light inside flashes amber and then white. This erases all previous pairings and puts the AirPods back to factory settings. Then try the pairing process again from the beginning.

Make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on in your computer's settings before you start. On a Mac, check the Bluetooth menu in the top-right corner. On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices and toggle Bluetooth on. Also check that your AirPods have enough battery — if the light doesn't flash at all when you press the setup button, they may need to charge. Place them in their case and plug the case in for at least 15 minutes.

Switching AirPods between your computer and other devices

Once your AirPods are paired with your computer, they'll stay paired even when you use them with your phone or tablet. When you turn on your AirPods near your phone, they'll usually connect to the phone instead of your computer. To switch them back to your computer, go to your computer's Bluetooth settings and click Connect next to the AirPods name. This forces them to reconnect to that device.

If you have AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, you can also hold down the Digital Crown (the button on the stem) to see a list of your paired devices and tap the one you want to switch to. This is faster than going into settings, but it only works on Apple devices — Windows doesn't support this feature.

Audio quality and microphone settings on your computer

After your AirPods are connected, you may need to tell your computer to actually use them for sound. On a Mac, click the volume icon in the top-right corner and select your AirPods from the "Output" menu. On Windows, go to Settings > Sound and scroll down to "Advanced" > "Volume mixer." Find the app you're using (like Zoom or Spotify) and make sure its output device is set to your AirPods, not your built-in speakers.

For video calls, you'll also want to set your AirPods as the microphone input. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Sound > Input and select your AirPods. On Windows, go to Settings > Sound > Input devices and choose your AirPods from the list. If your AirPods don't appear as an input option on Windows, try disconnecting and reconnecting them in Bluetooth settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. AirPods can only be connected to one device at a time. You'll need to disconnect them from one computer before they'll connect to the other. You can pair them with both devices (so they remember both), but they'll only actively connect to one. To switch, go to Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use and click Connect next to the AirPods name.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my computer?

AirPods may disconnect if they're too far from your computer (more than about 30 feet), if Bluetooth is turned off, or if they're trying to connect to another device like your phone. Move closer to your computer, make sure Bluetooth is on, and check that your phone's Bluetooth is off or that your AirPods are set to connect to your computer instead. If disconnections keep happening, try resetting your AirPods and pairing them again.

Do I need to do anything special to use AirPods with video calls on my computer?

After pairing, you may need to tell your video call app (like Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet) to use your AirPods for both audio and microphone. Open the app's settings and look for audio or device options. Select your AirPods as both the speaker and microphone. Some apps do this automatically once AirPods are connected; others require you to change it manually.

Can I use AirPods with a Windows PC if I don't have an Apple device?

Yes. AirPods work with any device that supports Bluetooth, including Windows PCs. You don't need an iPhone or Mac to pair them. The pairing process is the same — put them in pairing mode and connect through Windows Bluetooth settings. The only feature you'll miss is the automatic switching between devices, which only works on Apple devices.