The basic steps for wired and wireless headphones

Connecting headphones to a Mac depends on whether they are wired or wireless. Wired headphones plug directly into your Mac's audio jack or USB port and work when ready — no setup required. Wireless headphones (Bluetooth) need a one-time pairing step before they will connect, but after that they reconnect automatically when you turn them on.

For wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack, plug them into the headphone port on your Mac. Older Macs have a dedicated headphone jack on the side. Newer Macs (2016 and later) do not have a headphone jack, so you will need either USB-C headphones, a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, or wireless headphones instead.

For wireless headphones, the pairing happens in your Mac's Bluetooth settings, which takes about two minutes the first time. After that, your headphones will connect on their own when they are powered on and in range.

Key Takeaways

  • Wired headphones with a 3.5mm jack only work on older Macs that have a headphone port; newer Macs need a USB-C adapter or wireless headphones.
  • Wireless headphones require a one-time pairing through Bluetooth settings, but reconnect automatically after that.
  • If your Mac does not recognize your headphones, check that Bluetooth is turned on and that your headphones are in pairing mode.
  • You can switch between multiple audio outputs (headphones, speakers, external monitors) from the Sound settings menu.

How to pair wireless headphones on a Mac

Put your headphones into pairing mode first. Most wireless headphones have a button you hold for three to five seconds until a light blinks or you hear a tone. Check your headphone manual if you are not sure which button or how long to hold it.

On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click Bluetooth in the left sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you will see a toggle switch at the top.

Your headphones should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Click the Connect button next to your headphones' name. Once connected, you will see "Connected" next to the headphone name, and they are ready to use.

Connecting wired headphones to newer Macs without a headphone jack

If your Mac is from 2016 or later, it does not have a built-in headphone jack. You have three options: use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, buy USB-C headphones, or switch to wireless headphones.

A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter is the cheapest option and costs between $10 and $20. Plug the adapter into any USB-C port on your Mac, then plug your headphones into the adapter. Your Mac will recognize them when ready.

USB-C headphones connect directly to a USB-C port without an adapter. Some newer headphones come with USB-C connectors built in, though this is less common than 3.5mm jacks. Check your headphone specifications before buying to make sure they are USB-C compatible.

Switching between headphones and speakers

Once your headphones are connected, your Mac automatically sends sound to them instead of the built-in speakers. To switch back to speakers or to a different audio output, click the volume icon in the top right corner of your screen.

A menu will appear showing your current audio output. Click Sound to see all available outputs — this might include your headphones, built-in speakers, an external monitor, or a soundbar. Select whichever device you want to use.

If you do not see the volume icon in the top right, open System Settings, click Control Center, and make sure Sound is toggled on. This adds the volume control back to your menu bar.

Troubleshooting when headphones will not connect

If your wireless headphones do not appear in the Bluetooth list, make sure they are in pairing mode and that Bluetooth is turned on in System Settings. Some headphones time out of pairing mode after 30 seconds, so you may need to restart the pairing process.

If your headphones were previously connected but no longer work, try "forgetting" them and pairing again. In System Settings, go to Bluetooth, find your headphones in the list, click the X or Remove button next to them, then repeat the pairing steps above.

For wired headphones that your Mac does not recognize, try a different USB-C port or adapter. Some ports may not deliver power correctly, or the adapter itself may be faulty. If you have access to another Mac or another adapter, test with that to narrow down the problem.

Why your Mac might switch audio output unexpectedly

If you plug in headphones and your Mac does not automatically switch to them, check the Sound settings in System Preferences. Some Macs are set to always use the built-in speakers, even when headphones are connected. You can change this by opening System Settings, clicking Sound, and selecting your headphones as the output device.

If you have multiple Bluetooth devices paired (headphones, a speaker, a smartwatch), your Mac may connect to whichever one turned on most recently. To avoid this, turn off Bluetooth on devices you are not using, or manually select the correct output from the Sound menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my headphones every time I use them?

No. Once you pair wireless headphones to your Mac, they stay paired. The next time you turn them on, they will reconnect automatically as long as Bluetooth is on and they are in range. You only need to pair once, unless you forget the headphones or pair them to a different device.

Can I use the same headphones with my Mac and my phone?

Yes. Most wireless headphones can pair with multiple devices. You will need to pair them once to your Mac and once to your phone. When you want to switch between devices, turn off Bluetooth on one device and turn it on on the other, or manually select the headphones from the Bluetooth menu on the device you want to use.

Why do my headphones keep disconnecting?

Wireless headphones disconnect when they are out of Bluetooth range (usually 30 feet or more), when the battery is low, or when Bluetooth is turned off on your Mac. Check your headphone battery first, then make sure Bluetooth is on in System Settings. If disconnections happen even when you are close to your Mac, try forgetting and re-pairing the headphones.

What if my Mac does not have any audio output options in the Sound menu?

This usually means your headphones are not fully connected. For wireless headphones, go back to Bluetooth settings and make sure they show as "Connected" rather than just "Paired". For wired headphones, unplug and replug the adapter or cable, or try a different USB-C port on your Mac.

Can I use headphones with a microphone for video calls on Mac?

Yes. Once your headphones are connected, open the app you are using for video calls (Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet, etc.), go to its audio settings, and select your headphones as both the output and input device. Some apps do this automatically, but others require you to choose manually.