How to pair your AirPods to Mac, iPhone, and other Bluetooth devices

Can't wait to start using your Apple AirPods®, AirPods Pro®, or AirPods Max®? The pairing process is quick and easy, so you'll be answering phone calls and jamming to your favorite playlists in no time.

At Asurion, we help millions of people get the most out of their tech. Whether you want to find a lost or stolen laptop or stop those annoying text messages on your phone, we keep the devices you love working all day, every day. Here are our tips for connecting AirPods or AirPods Pro to your iPhone®, Android™, Mac®, Apple Watch ® or PC laptop.

How to connect AirPods to your iPhone

Pairing your AirPods for the first time? You can easily sync wireless earbuds with your iPhone. Here's how:

1. Make sure you're running the most recent version of iOS®.
2. Go to the Home Screen.
3. With your AirPods in the charging case, open the case and hold it next to your iPhone. A setup animation will appear.
4. Tap Connect.
5. If you have AirPods Pro or AirPods (3rd generation), read and tab through the next three screens.
6. If you have AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or AirPods (2nd or 3rd generation) and you've set up “Hey Siri®" on your iPhone, it's ready to use with your AirPods. If you haven't set up “Hey Siri," follow the prompts for setup.
7. Tap Done.

Having trouble connecting? You may need to reset your AirPods.

How to connect AirPods to your Mac

Before you sync your AirPods to your MacBook® or iMac®, check to make sure your computer has the operating system you need:

• AirPods (1st generation) require macOS® Sierra or a later version.
• AirPods (2nd generation) require macOS Mojave 10.14.4 or a later version.
• AirPods (3rd generation) require macOS Monterey or a later version.
• AirPods Pro require macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or a later version.

If your Mac is signed in to iCloud® and you've already paired your AirPods and iPhone, your AirPods should automatically sync with other devices registered with the same Apple® ID. Here's how to check if your Mac is good to go:

1. Place your AirPods in your ears.
2. Go to the menu bar on your Mac and click either the Bluetooth® menu or Volume control.
3. Choose AirPods from the list.

If AirPods doesn't appear as an option in the menu bar, try this:

1. Select System Preferences from the Apple menu, then click Bluetooth.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
3. Put both AirPods in the charging case, then open the lid.
4. Press and hold the Setup button on the back of the case until the status indicator light flashes white.
5. Select AirPods from the devices list, then click Connect.

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How to connect your AirPods to your Apple Watch 

To connect your AirPods to your Apple Watch, just follow these easy steps:

1. Start by making sure your AirPods are charged and inside their case, with the lid open.
2. Hold the AirPods case near your Apple Watch.
3. On your Apple Watch, press the Digital Crown to go to the Home screen, then open the Settings app.
4. In Settings, scroll and tap on Bluetooth.
5. Once your AirPods appear on the watch's Bluetooth list, tap on them to pair. If your AirPods don’t appear in the list of devices, put them into pairing mode. Do this by pressing and holding the button on the back of the AirPods case until the white light starts blinking.

Once paired, your AirPods will automatically connect to your Apple Watch when they are in range and taken out of their case. This setup allows you to effortlessly enjoy music, answer calls, or use Siri directly from your wrist.

How to automatically switch AirPods between Apple devices

Want the audio in your AirPods to automatically switch between your devices, like if you're listening to music on your computer but want to take a phone call? It's simple. Just make sure your iPhone and Mac both have the latest operating system and you're signed in to both devices with the same Apple ID using two-factor identification. From there your AirPods (2nd or 3rd generation) or AirPods Pro should automatically switch between your devices.

Occasionally with macOS Big Sur or later, you'll get a notification about your AirPods on your Mac screen. Click Connect to confirm that you want your AirPods to either switch or stay with your Mac.

If you want to turn off automatic switching, here's how:

Turn off AirPods automatic switching on your iPhone

1. Make sure your AirPods are in your ears and connected to your iPhone.
2. Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
3. Tap the Info button next to your AirPods.
4. Tap Connect to This iPhone.
5. Tap When Last Connected to This iPhone.
6. To turn on automatic switching again, tap Automatically.

Turn off AirPods automatic switching on your Mac

1. Make sure your AirPods are in your ears and connected to your Mac.
2. Go to the Apple menu and click System Preferences > Bluetooth.
3. Click the Options button next to AirPods in the list of devices.
4. Under the Connect to this Mac menu, select When Last Connected to This Mac.
5. To turn on automatic switching again, click Automatically.

How to connect AirPods to your Android

You can connect AirPods to your non-Apple devices to listen to audio and talk on your phone, but you can't use Siri or automatically switch between devices. To set up your AirPods on an Android phone or tablet:

1. Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
3. With your AirPods in the charging case, hold them near your device and open the lid.
4. Press and hold the Setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.
5. Select AirPods in the devices list.

How to connect AirPods to your PC or laptop

You can also use your AirPods as a Bluetooth headset with your PC or non-Mac laptop, but you can't use Siri or automatically switch between devices. To connect:

1. Open the Start menu, then click Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
3. With your AirPods in the charging case, hold them near your computer and open the lid.
4. Press and hold the Setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.
5. Select AirPods in the devices list.

If one pair of AirPods isn't enough, you can connect two pairs to your devices. Check out our step-by-step guide.