AirPods Pro connect to a PC the same way they connect to an iPhone — through Bluetooth wireless, not a cable

Your AirPods Pro are already paired with your Apple account if you own an iPhone or Mac. When you turn them on near a Windows PC or a Mac you don't use regularly, they won't automatically connect — you have to tell your computer to recognize them first. This is a one-time setup. After that, your AirPods will reconnect to that computer whenever they're in range and you open the Bluetooth settings.

The process takes about two minutes and requires no software read or account creation. You'll use your computer's built-in Bluetooth radio, which every modern laptop and desktop has.

Key Takeaways

  • AirPods Pro use Bluetooth, a wireless standard that lets devices talk to each other without cables, and your computer has this built in.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, then select "Add device" and choose your AirPods from the list.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, then select your AirPods Pro from the available devices list.
  • Once connected, your AirPods will automatically reconnect to that computer whenever Bluetooth is on and they're nearby.
  • If your AirPods don't appear in the list, hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white.

Connecting AirPods Pro to a Windows PC

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then pressing Enter. Click on "Bluetooth & devices" in the left sidebar. At the top of the page, make sure the Bluetooth toggle is switched on (it should be blue).

Click the button that says "Add device." A window will pop up asking what kind of device you want to add. Select "Bluetooth." Your computer will now search for nearby Bluetooth devices. Put your AirPods Pro case nearby and open the lid. Within a few seconds, "AirPods Pro" should appear in the list. Click on it.

Windows will say "Connecting" for a moment, then show "Connected." You're done. Close the Settings window. Your AirPods Pro are now paired with this Windows PC and will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on near this computer.

Connecting AirPods Pro to a Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "System Settings." In the sidebar, click "Bluetooth." Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you'll see a toggle switch at the top. Open your AirPods Pro case and hold it near your Mac.

Your AirPods Pro should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Click "Connect" next to them. The status will change to "Connected" once the pairing is complete. You can now close System Settings. Your AirPods will reconnect to this Mac automatically whenever they're in range and Bluetooth is on.

What to do if your AirPods don't appear in the device list

If you've opened the case and waited 30 seconds but your AirPods Pro still don't show up, they may not be in pairing mode. Hold the small button on the back of the AirPods Pro case (not the stem of the earbuds themselves) for about 15 seconds. You'll see the light inside the case start flashing white. This means the AirPods are now discoverable and ready to pair with a new device.

Go back to your computer's Bluetooth settings and try again. The AirPods should appear in the list within 10 seconds. If they still don't show up after two attempts, restart your computer's Bluetooth by toggling it off and back on in Settings or System Settings, then repeat the pairing process.

Why your AirPods might not reconnect automatically

Once paired, AirPods Pro reconnect automatically — but only if Bluetooth is turned on and the AirPods are in range (usually within 30 feet). If you turn off Bluetooth on your computer to save battery, the AirPods won't reconnect until you turn it back on. Some Windows PCs also have a physical Bluetooth switch or a keyboard shortcut (often Fn + a wireless icon key) that disables Bluetooth entirely.

If your AirPods connect to your iPhone or Mac instead of your Windows PC, that's because Apple devices are set as the default. Your AirPods will connect to whichever Apple device is closest and has Bluetooth on. To force them to connect to your Windows PC, turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone and Mac, or move them out of range.

Using AirPods Pro with multiple computers

You can pair your AirPods Pro with as many computers as you want. Each pairing is stored separately, so your Windows laptop, work Mac, and home desktop can all have the AirPods in their Bluetooth memory. When you switch between them, the AirPods will connect to whichever computer you're actively using — as long as Bluetooth is on and the others are out of range or have Bluetooth off.

If two computers are both on and nearby with Bluetooth enabled, your AirPods will usually connect to the one you used most recently. To switch to a different computer, go into that computer's Bluetooth settings and select your AirPods Pro from the list. The connection will switch within a few seconds.

Checking your connection and adjusting sound settings

Once connected, you can check the battery level of your AirPods Pro on Windows by opening Settings, going to Bluetooth & devices, and looking for your AirPods in the list. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen and hover over your AirPods Pro to see the battery percentage.

To adjust volume, use your computer's volume controls — the same keys or slider you'd use for any other speaker. To change noise cancellation or transparency mode, you'll need to use the controls on the AirPods themselves (press and hold the stem) or use Apple's Control Center if you're on a Mac. Windows doesn't have built-in controls for AirPods-specific features, so you're limited to volume and play/pause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to unpair my AirPods from my iPhone before connecting them to my PC?

No. Your AirPods Pro can be paired with multiple devices at once. They'll straightforward connect to whichever device is closest and has Bluetooth on. If you want them to connect only to your PC, turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone or move it out of range.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my Windows PC?

Windows sometimes deprioritizes Bluetooth devices to save power. Try moving your AirPods closer to your PC, or check if another Bluetooth device nearby is interfering. You can also try unpairing and re-pairing them. If the problem persists, update your PC's Bluetooth drivers by opening Device Manager, right-clicking your Bluetooth adapter, and selecting "Update driver."

Can I use AirPods Pro on a PC that doesn't have Bluetooth built in?

Most modern PCs have Bluetooth, but older desktops sometimes don't. You can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter (around $15 to $30) that plugs into any USB port and adds Bluetooth to your computer. Once plugged in, pair your AirPods Pro the same way you would with built-in Bluetooth.

Will the microphone on my AirPods Pro work for video calls on my PC?

Yes, but you may need to tell your video call app to use the AirPods as the microphone. In most apps like Zoom, Teams, or Discord, click the settings icon during a call and select your AirPods Pro from the microphone dropdown. Some apps default to your computer's built-in microphone instead.

What's the difference between pairing and connecting?

Pairing means your computer remembers your AirPods Pro and stores their Bluetooth address. Connecting means they're actively talking to each other right now. Once paired, they reconnect automatically whenever both are on and in range, so you usually only pair once.