How to Connect AirPods to a Laptop (Windows and Mac)

Talon Homer, Desiree Bowie

13 June 2024 at 8:25 am·6-min read

You may already know how fantastic wireless Apple AirPods are for listening to music and taking calls on your phone, but do you know how to connect AirPods to a laptop or desktop?

Modern Macs and PCs come with built-in Bluetooth capabilities, making it super easy to connect AirPods and other Bluetooth devices.

This means you can enjoy the seamless experience of using AirPods with a home computer or a work laptop. For example, you could connect your AirPods to enhance your gaming experience, make your voice crystal-clear on Zoom meetings or simply watch a movie.

Connecting to AirPods on Mac OS

Since AirPods are designed to work seamlessly with Apple's hardware, they let you use Siri navigation when connected to a Mac. If your Mac and iPhone are signed into the same Apple ID, the computer will likely detect the AirPods and automatically connect to them with one easy button press in the audio menu.

This feature also allows for automatically switching the audio connection when receiving a phone call, ensuring that you never miss an important conversation. Plus, you can enjoy other conveniences like spatial audio and noise cancellation for an immersive experience.

How to Connect Apple AirPods to a Mac

Connecting AirPods on Mac OS

If your Mac doesn't automatically detect your AirPods, don't worry! You can manually pair them by following the steps as detailed in Apple support.

On your Mac, go to System Settings from the Apple menu (in the top left corner of the screen), then click the Bluetooth icon.
In the Bluetooth settings, check that the toggle switch is in the "On" position. If it's off, click the switch to turn it on. You should see a message indicating that Bluetooth is now discoverable, which then enables you to connect with any available Bluetooth devices.
Place both AirPods in the charging case and open the lid.
Press and hold the setup button on the back of the AirPods case until the status light flashes white, indicating they're in pairing mode.
In the Bluetooth settings on your Mac, find your AirPods in the list of available devices and click Connect.

If you're having trouble connecting AirPods to your Mac, you may need to update to the latest version of Mac OS. Apple states that the second generation of AirPods Pro requires the latest version of the OS to sync properly with other Apple devices and all Bluetooth device features.

How to Connect Apple AirPods to a Windows PC

All recent versions of Windows PCs support Bluetooth connectivity, and your laptop likely has a compatible antenna as well. You can use your AirPods with a PC, but the Windows operating system will recognize and handle them like any other wireless headphones or earbuds.

While you can use them for basic audio playback, listening to music and taking calls, you won't have access to Apple's additional features like Siri integration, automatic device switching and spatial audio.

How to Connect Apple AirPods to a Windows Laptop

Here's how to pair Bluetooth audio devices and connect Airpods to Windows 10 via Microsoft support:

Make sure that your Bluetooth is turned on. Select the Windows Icon (Start) > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, and turn on Bluetooth. Alternatively, you can likely find a shortcut to your PC's Bluetooth settings in the notification tab on the bottom right of your taskbar.
Turn on your Bluetooth audio device and make it discoverable. To do this, place AirPods in the charging case and hold the setup button until the status light flashes white.
On your PC, select the Windows icon (Start) > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth.
Choose your AirPods from the list of available devices and follow any additional instructions if they appear, then select Done.
Your AirPods and PC will usually connect automatically whenever they are in range of each other and have Bluetooth turned on.

On the newer Windows 11, this process varies slightly:

Turn on your Bluetooth device and make it discoverable. For AirPods, place them in the charging case and press and hold the setup button until the status light flashes white.
On your PC, click the Network, Sound or Battery icons next to the time and date on the right side of your taskbar. In the quick settings menu, select Bluetooth to open the Bluetooth settings. Alternatively, you can access this by selecting the Windows icon (Start) > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
In the Bluetooth quick settings, select Manage Bluetooth devices. Under "Not Paired," select your AirPods or other Bluetooth device from the list of available devices. Follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.

How to Unpair Bluetooth Devices From Your Mac or PC

Ever had your AirPods connect to your Mac right when you're trying to enjoy a movie on your iPad? Sometimes, you just need to disconnect a Bluetooth device to keep everything running smoothly. Here's how to unpair Bluetooth devices from your Mac or Windows PC.

Unpairing Bluetooth Devices from a Mac:

Open Bluetooth settings: Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, select System Preferences, then click Bluetooth.
Select the device: In the Bluetooth settings, find the device you want to unpair in the list of connected devices.
Remove the device: Hover over the device you want to unpair and click the X button next to it, then confirm the removal when prompted.

Unpairing Bluetooth Devices from a Windows PC:

Open Bluetooth settings: Click the Windows icon (Start) in the bottom-left corner of the screen, select Settings (gear icon), click Devices and then select Bluetooth & other devices from the left-hand menu.
Select the device: In the Bluetooth settings, find the device you want to unpair in the list of connected devices.
Remove the device: Click on the device you want to unpair, click the Remove device button and confirm the removal when prompted.

This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, then fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

Now That's Interesting

The Bluetooth wireless standard that AirPods and many other wireless devices use was first introduced in 1998, and soon became the preferred method of connecting audio devices (and now pairing AirPods) other devices to cell phones. Bluetooth operates on the 2.4 GHz radio band and allows for short-range transmission of audio, as well as some graphical and text data.

Original article: How to Connect AirPods to a Laptop (Windows and Mac)

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