How to Connect AirPods to Your Mac Pro

The basic steps to pair AirPods with Mac Pro

To connect AirPods to a Mac Pro, you turn on Bluetooth on your Mac, put your AirPods in their case, open the case near your Mac, and tap "Connect" when the pairing prompt appears on your screen. The whole process takes about 30 seconds the first time. After that, your AirPods will connect automatically whenever they are near your Mac and Bluetooth is on.

The reason this works is that AirPods use Bluetooth, a wireless technology that lets devices talk to each other over short distances without cables. Your Mac Pro has Bluetooth built in. When you open the AirPods case near your Mac, the AirPods broadcast a signal saying "we are here and ready to pair." Your Mac picks up that signal and asks if you want to connect.

One thing to know: if your AirPods are already paired with an iPhone or iPad, they may try to connect to that device first when you open the case. You can override this by manually selecting your Mac Pro in the AirPods menu on your Mac, which takes about 10 seconds.

Key Takeaways

Open your AirPods case near your Mac Pro and wait for the pairing prompt to appear on your screen, then click "Connect."
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your Mac's System Settings before you start the pairing process.
After the first pairing, your AirPods will connect automatically to your Mac Pro whenever Bluetooth is on and the case is opened nearby.
If your AirPods are paired with multiple devices, you can choose which device they connect to by opening the Bluetooth menu on each device.

Turn on Bluetooth on your Mac Pro

Before your AirPods can find your Mac, Bluetooth needs to be on. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen, then click "System Settings." On the left side, click "Bluetooth." You will see a toggle switch at the top — make sure it is turned on (it will be blue or green when it is on).

If Bluetooth is already on, you will see a list of devices that have been paired before. Your AirPods may already be in this list if you have used them with this Mac before. If they are, you can click on them to reconnect without going through the full pairing process again.

Put your AirPods in pairing mode

AirPods enter pairing mode automatically when you open the case near an unpaired device. Hold the case with both AirPods inside it, and open the lid. Within a few seconds, a white light should flash on the front of the case — this means the AirPods are broadcasting and ready to pair.

If the light is amber or orange instead of white, the AirPods may already be paired with another device. To reset them, press and hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white. This erases all previous pairings and puts the AirPods in pairing mode fresh.

Complete the pairing on your Mac

Once the AirPods case is open and the light is flashing white, look at your Mac screen. A dialog box should appear asking if you want to connect your AirPods. Click the "Connect" button. Your Mac will now pair with the AirPods — you will see a confirmation message, and the AirPods will appear in your Bluetooth settings.

If no dialog appears after 30 seconds, go back to System Settings, click "Bluetooth," and look for your AirPods in the list of available devices. Click on them to start pairing manually. If you still do not see them, make sure the case light is flashing white and try moving the case closer to your Mac.

What to do if your AirPods connect to the wrong device

If you have AirPods paired with both a Mac Pro and an iPhone, the AirPods will usually connect to whichever device you used them with most recently. To force them to connect to your Mac instead, open the AirPods case near your Mac, then go to System Settings > Bluetooth on your Mac and click "Connect" next to your AirPods in the list.

You can also control which device your AirPods connect to by opening the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad (swipe down from the top right), tapping the audio card, and selecting a different device. On your Mac, you can click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen and choose your AirPods from the list.

Troubleshooting when AirPods won't connect

If your AirPods are not showing up in your Mac's Bluetooth list, first check that Bluetooth is on and that the AirPods case light is flashing white. Move the case within a few feet of your Mac — Bluetooth only works over short distances, usually 30 feet or less. If the light is not flashing, open and close the case again.

If your AirPods still will not appear, try restarting your Mac. Click the Apple menu, then "Restart," and wait for your Mac to turn back on. Once it is on, open the AirPods case near your Mac again. If that does not work, reset the AirPods by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber and then white, then try pairing again from the beginning.

If your AirPods connect but sound is not coming through them, check that they are selected as your audio output device. Click the volume icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen, and make sure your AirPods are listed as the output device. If they are not, click on them to switch.

How to disconnect or forget your AirPods

To temporarily disconnect your AirPods from your Mac without erasing the pairing, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select "Disconnect" next to your AirPods. They will stay paired, so they will reconnect automatically the next time you open the case near your Mac.

To completely remove your AirPods from your Mac's Bluetooth list, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, click the "X" or "Remove" button next to them, and confirm. You will need to pair them again from scratch the next time you want to use them with this Mac. This is useful if you want to pair your AirPods with a different Mac or if you are selling your Mac and want to remove all your devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Once you pair them the first time, your AirPods will connect automatically whenever you open the case near your Mac and Bluetooth is on. You only pair once — after that, they remember your Mac and reconnect on their own.

Can I use the same AirPods with both my Mac Pro and my iPhone?

Yes. AirPods can be paired with multiple devices at the same time. They will usually connect to whichever device you used them with most recently, but you can manually switch which device they are connected to using the Bluetooth menu on each device.

Why do my AirPods keep connecting to my iPhone instead of my Mac?

AirPods prioritize the device you used them with most recently. To force them to connect to your Mac, open the case near your Mac and click "Connect" in the Bluetooth settings. You can also turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone temporarily so the AirPods have only your Mac to connect to.

What if my Mac Pro does not have Bluetooth?

Older Mac Pro models may not have built-in Bluetooth. You can add Bluetooth to your Mac using a USB Bluetooth adapter, which plugs into a USB port and costs between $15 and $40. Once plugged in, it works the same way as built-in Bluetooth.

How far away can my AirPods be from my Mac and still stay connected?

Bluetooth typically works within about 30 feet, though walls and other obstacles can reduce that distance. If you walk too far away from your Mac with your AirPods, they will disconnect. When you come back within range, they will reconnect automatically.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.