If you’re using an iPhone, Mac, or iPad, the process will probably take about five seconds. If you’d like to use your AirPods with a non-Apple device instead, the task of pairing them is almost as easy. Also: How to clean and sanitize your AirPods We’ll show you how to quickly connect your truly wireless earbuds to just about any Apple or non-Apple device out there. The process is the same for every generation of standard AirPods and AirPods Pro, meaning this guide should work for pretty much everyone.
How to connect your AirPods to your iPhone
The iPhone is probably the most common audio output buddy for AirPods. Luckily, it’s also the easiest to connect. Just follow the steps below. Also: The best AirPods and AirPods Pro deals right now Final note: Verifying you’re signed into iCloud when the process starts makes it a cinch to connect your AirPods to any Mac, iPad, or other supported Apple device that’s signed in to the same iCloud account. You’ll likely be presented with a pop-up on each device when logging in or turning them on for the first time after you’ve paired your new AirPods. Simply hit Connect on the pop-up and you can use the AirPods to listen to the audio from any compatible Apple device.
How to manually connect your AirPods to iPhone
If, for any reason, the above process doesn’t work for you, there’s a simple workaround. You can connect your AirPods to your iPhone manually. To do this, follow the steps below. Also: AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro: Were they worth the wait?
How to connect your AirPods to your Apple Watch
Your Apple Watch should automatically connect with your AirPods when they’re paired with the iPhone it’s paired with. However, the wearable doesn’t need your iPhone nearby to connect with your AirPods, and can be paired directly. This is handy when you’re at the gym or out for a run and you’ve left your iPhone behind, but want some music or podcasts to pass the time. To get this set up, follow these steps. Also: How to enable Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch (and why you should)
How to connect your AirPods to your Mac
As mentioned above, if your AirPods were already paired with an iPhone signed into the same iCloud account you use on your Mac, chances are your entire pairing process for your Mac will consist of you clicking the Connect button that pops up. Also: Don’t waste your money on these Apple products However, if that doesn’t happen because you don’t use iCloud, don’t have an iPhone, or your Mac’s the first device you’re pairing your AirPods to, the process is only a little more complicated. In any of these cases, follow these steps to manually pair your AirPods with your Mac.
How to connect your AirPods to your iPad
As in the Mac section above, the process should be essentially automatic if you’ve already paired your AirPods with another Apple device on the same iCloud account. However, if you need to do it manually for any of the reasons listed above, follow the steps below on any iPad, iPad Pro, iPad Air, or iPad Mini. Also: How to take notes on your iPad with an Apple Pencil
How to connect your AirPods to Multiple Apple devices
If you’ve got more than one of the devices listed above, as many of us do, you’re probably going to want to use your AirPods with all of them. Thankfully, connecting to all of them works just as described above, and switching between them is a painless process, which we’ll describe below.
Automatic switching
If you’re signed into iCloud, as mentioned several times, this will allow your AirPods to automatically switch between your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other devices, based on whichever device was most recently unlocked or turned on. Automatic switching can also occur when a phone call comes in on your iPhone, or when you begin playing media on any device, and during select other events. If you’d rather handle things manually, read on.
Manual switching
iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch: To manually switch to your AirPods on any of these devices, simply look for the icon indicated in the green circle above and tap it. This will bring up a menu with available sound output options. If your AirPods are paired correctly, they should appear here. Mac: Click the volume icon in the MacOS menu bar, or click the Bluetooth option in the MacOS Control Center (shown above). In either place, select the AirPods to switch to them.
How to connect your AirPods to Windows PCs
The process for connecting to a Windows PC really isn’t all that different than it is for connecting to a Mac. Just follow the steps below and you should be up and running in less than a minute. Also: Getting AirPods Pro? Here’s why you should get AppleCare+ as well
How to connect your AirPods to Android smartphones and tablets
The process for an Android smartphone can vary much more than any of these other processes due to the wide variety of Android versions out there across thousands of Android-based devices from hundreds of manufacturers. However, we still can provide more generalized steps below. Also: The easiest way to transfer contacts from your Android to an iPhone
How to I put my AirPods in pairing mode?
Your AirPods can be put into pairing mode by pressing and holding the Setup button found on the back of their charging cases. The AirPods should be in the case at this time, and the case’s lid should be open. Once the light on the front of the case begins flashing, they’re ready to pair.
How do I reset my AirPods?
If you’re having issues with charging, connectivity, or something else, a reset can help, and is a fairly quick process. Just follow the steps below.
Can you connect your AirPods to multiple Apple devices?
Yes. Just follow the connection procedures listed above for each device, then reference the “How to connect your AirPods to Multiple Apple devices” section to see how to switch between all connected Apple devices.
Can you connect AirPods to Android devices?
Yes. For most Android-based smartphones, tablets, and other devices, the AirPods function like any other pair of Bluetooth earbuds. Check out the “How to connect your AirPods to Android smartphones and tablets” section above for details on how to get this set up.
What can you do when your AirPods won’t connect?
There are a lot of causes for this issue. We’ll quickly go over the most common fixes below.
Turn your device’s Bluetooth off and on again. This often corrects a pairing that initially failed, or a connection that was lost and didn’t properly re-establish itself. It should work for both Apple and non-Apple devices.Disable low-power mode on your device. Sometimes low-power modes will reduce or completely disable Bluetooth connectivity, which can make it impossible for your AirPods to connect.Switch your audio output to your AirPods. This can be accomplished on Apple devices using the method in the “Manual switching” portion of the “How to connect your AirPods to Multiple Apple devices” section, or by checking to make sure your AirPods are both paired and selected as the active audio output device in the Bluetooth menu of your Android devices, Windows PC, etc.Clean your AirPods. Sometimes accumulated dirt and debris can prevent your AirPods from charging correctly, meaning they won’t have the necessary power to connect. A cleanup of the charging contacts at the base of the stem and the charging case itself could correct this.Restart your audio source. A complete restart of your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or non-Apple source device can often rectify multiple issues at once, and is definitely worth a shot. Update the firmware on your AirPods. Apple occasionally releases new firmware for AirPods that corrects problems that could be preventing connectivity. A full guide on this update process is available at Apple’s support website.Reset your AirPods. Starting your pairing and connection from scratch should solve many issues. For a full guide, just scroll up to the “How do I reset my AirPods?” section.Disconnect other Bluetooth devices. Sometimes other Bluetooth devices can create interference. Disconnect any other devices you can, especially any that you don’t use anymore. Update your iPhone. Apple tends to update multiple products at the same time. If your AirPods got an update, but your iPhone didn’t, sometimes they won’t play well together again until you also update your iPhone (or iPad or Mac) too.
