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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYou can switch AirPods Max between Apple devices either automatically or by selecting them as the audio output on the device you want to use. Automatic switching works across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro when each is up to date and signed in to the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication. For immediate, predictable control, choose AirPods Max in the destination device’s audio controls.
Switch AirPods Max manually
Wear your AirPods Max near the device you want to use, then select them from that device’s audio destination controls. The available route varies by device:
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- iPhone or iPad: Open Now Playing, the Lock Screen, or Control Centre. Tap the AirPlay or audio destination control and choose AirPods Max.
- Mac: Open Control Centre in the menu bar, choose Bluetooth, and select AirPods Max. If they are not listed, use the Mac setup steps below.
- Apple Watch: Press the side button to open Control Centre, tap Playback Destination, and choose AirPods Max.
- Apple TV: Press and hold the TV/Control Centre button on the Siri Remote. Open the General Settings tab, choose Audio Controls, and select AirPods Max.
- Apple Vision Pro: Open Control Centre, open the additional controls, tap Now Playing, and select AirPods Max.
Apple’s device-specific instructions are in Switch your AirPods to another device.
Let AirPods Max switch automatically
Apple supports automatic switching for all AirPods Max models among iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. Update the devices to current operating systems and sign in to each with the same Apple Account, with two-factor authentication enabled. Apple’s guidance is: “To switch automatically between your devices, update all of your devices to the latest version of their operating systems and sign in to your devices with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.”
#1 Best Overall
- ULTIMATE OVER-EAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE—Powered by the H2 chip, AirPods Max 2 delivers improved high-fidelity audio with deep bass, expansive mids, and crisp highs for an unparalleled listening experience.
- TUNE OUT THE NOISE—Up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, fully immersing you in every sound.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts noise cancellation levels to suit your environment. Conversation Awareness lowers the volume of what’s playing to make it easy to talk to those around you.* And Transparency lets outside sounds in so you can interact with your surroundings.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO—With sound tuned to your unique ear shape and dynamic head tracking, AirPods Max 2 delivers an immersive listening experience that surrounds you with theater-like sound.
- COMMUNICATE ACROSS LANGUAGES—Simply press and hold the listening mode button to activate Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence,* which automatically translates the language someone is speaking into your preferred language.
Switching can follow the activity you start: Apple gives the examples of audio moving from Mac playback to a podcast started on iPhone, and a call routing to AirPods when answered on Apple Watch. These examples describe expected behavior, not a guarantee that every app or playback event will trigger a switch. See Apple’s automatic-switching guidance.
Turn off automatic switching if you want control
If you prefer to choose the audio destination yourself, you can turn automatic switching off on supported playback devices. On iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth, tap the information button beside AirPods, and adjust the device-connection setting. Apple documents additional device-specific paths on its switching support page.
Rank #2
- ULTIMATE OVER-EAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE—Powered by the H2 chip, AirPods Max 2 delivers improved high-fidelity audio with deep bass, expansive mids, and crisp highs for an unparalleled listening experience.
- TUNE OUT THE NOISE—Up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, fully immersing you in every sound.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts noise cancellation levels to suit your environment. Conversation Awareness lowers the volume of what’s playing to make it easy to talk to those around you.* And Transparency lets outside sounds in so you can interact with your surroundings.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO—With sound tuned to your unique ear shape and dynamic head tracking, AirPods Max 2 delivers an immersive listening experience that surrounds you with theater-like sound.
- COMMUNICATE ACROSS LANGUAGES—Simply press and hold the listening mode button to activate Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence,* which automatically translates the language someone is speaking into your preferred language.
Fix a Mac connection that does not appear
If AirPods Max do not connect automatically to your Mac, put them on and select them from Control Centre > Sound > AirPods Max. If they are missing, pair them from Bluetooth settings:
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Open System Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
- Put AirPods Max in pairing mode by holding the listening mode button until the status light flashes white.
- Under Nearby Devices, select AirPods Max.
Apple’s full instructions are in Connect and use your AirPods Max.
Rank #3
- ULTIMATE OVER-EAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE—Powered by the H2 chip, AirPods Max 2 delivers improved high-fidelity audio with deep bass, expansive mids, and crisp highs for an unparalleled listening experience.
- TUNE OUT THE NOISE—Up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, fully immersing you in every sound.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts noise cancellation levels to suit your environment. Conversation Awareness lowers the volume of what’s playing to make it easy to talk to those around you.* And Transparency lets outside sounds in so you can interact with your surroundings.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO—With sound tuned to your unique ear shape and dynamic head tracking, AirPods Max 2 delivers an immersive listening experience that surrounds you with theater-like sound.
- COMMUNICATE ACROSS LANGUAGES—Simply press and hold the listening mode button to activate Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence,* which automatically translates the language someone is speaking into your preferred language.
Check the Apple Account association
AirPods Max can be associated with one Apple Account for features such as automatic switching and Find My. After setup on an iPhone or iPad, Apple says the headphones are set up automatically with supported devices signed in to iCloud using that same account. See Apple’s setup and connection guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ULTIMATE OVER-EAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE - Apple-designed dynamic driver provides high-fidelity audio. Computational audio combines custom acoustic design with the Apple H1 chip and software for breakthrough listening experiences.
- FIVE FRESH COLORS - AirPods Max come in five fresh colors: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and Orange. A color-matched Smart Case is also included.
- FOCUS ON WHAT’S PLAYING - Pro-level Active Noise Cancellation removes up to 2x more background noise, so you can immerse yourself in music.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU - Transparency mode lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO - With sound that suits your unique ear shape along with dynamic head tracking, AirPods Max deliver an immersive listening experience that places sound all around you.* You can also listen to select songs, shows, and movies in Dolby Atmos.
Rank #4
- ULTIMATE OVER-EAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE—Powered by the H2 chip, AirPods Max 2 delivers improved high-fidelity audio with deep bass, expansive mids, and crisp highs for an unparalleled listening experience.
- TUNE OUT THE NOISE—Up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation, fully immersing you in every sound.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts noise cancellation levels to suit your environment. Conversation Awareness lowers the volume of what’s playing to make it easy to talk to those around you.* And Transparency lets outside sounds in so you can interact with your surroundings.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO—With sound tuned to your unique ear shape and dynamic head tracking, AirPods Max 2 delivers an immersive listening experience that surrounds you with theater-like sound.
- COMMUNICATE ACROSS LANGUAGES—Simply press and hold the listening mode button to activate Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence,* which automatically translates the language someone is speaking into your preferred language.
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