To pair AirPods, turn on Bluetooth on the device, put the AirPods into pairing mode, then select them from its Bluetooth settings. On an iPhone or iPad, you can usually start with the case open and nearby; a Mac may recognize AirPods already set up with the same Apple Account. On a Windows PC, pair them from the Windows Bluetooth device list.
Before you start: put AirPods in pairing mode
Keep the AirPods close to the device you want to pair and make sure they have charge. For AirPods or AirPods Pro, place both earbuds in the case and open its lid. Many cases enter pairing mode when you press and hold the setup button on the back until the status light flashes white. Some newer cases use a double-tap on the front instead. AirPods Max use a different control: press and hold the listening-mode button until the status light flashes white.
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Because the control varies by model, use Apple’s AirPods setup instructions if you are unsure how to activate pairing mode on your case. The white flashing light indicates that the AirPods are ready to be selected from a device’s Bluetooth list.
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On the iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.
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For AirPods or AirPods Pro, put both earbuds in the case, open the lid, and hold the case near the device. When the setup animation appears, follow the onscreen instructions.
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For AirPods Max, remove them from the Smart Case and hold them near the iPhone or iPad promptly, then follow the onscreen setup prompts if they appear.
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If no setup animation appears, put the AirPods into pairing mode and select them under Settings > Bluetooth.
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Apple notes that network connectivity may be needed during setup to access Find My features; it is not the Bluetooth pairing step itself. See Apple’s instructions for pairing AirPods with an Apple device for model-specific details.
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Pair AirPods with a Mac
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Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
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Put your AirPods into pairing mode.
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When the AirPods appear in the available devices list, select them and complete any onscreen prompt.
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If you already set up the AirPods with an iPhone and your Mac is signed in to the same Apple Account, the Mac may connect to them automatically. If they are connected but sound still comes from the Mac’s speakers, choose the AirPods as the audio output in Sound settings or Control Center.
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Pair AirPods with a Windows PC
First confirm the PC has Bluetooth and turn it on. If it does not have Bluetooth hardware, Microsoft says a USB Bluetooth adapter can add it. Then put the AirPods into pairing mode and use the route for your Windows version:
| Windows version | Bluetooth pairing route |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Open the taskbar quick settings Bluetooth control and manage Bluetooth devices, or go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Select the AirPods when they appear. |
| Windows 10 | Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth, then select the AirPods. |
Windows labels and navigation can vary by version. Microsoft’s Bluetooth pairing instructions provide the current steps. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; Microsoft recommends Windows 11, although a Windows 10 PC can continue to function.
What works on Windows and other non-Apple devices?
Apple says AirPods can be used as a Bluetooth headset with a non-Apple device, for listening and talking, but Siri is unavailable. Do not assume every Apple-specific feature works on Windows or another non-Apple device; support can vary by AirPods model and device.
If AirPods do not appear or will not connect
- Check Bluetooth and pairing mode. Make sure Bluetooth is on for the target device and the AirPods’ status light is flashing white before you look for them in its Bluetooth list.
- Check charge and proximity. Keep AirPods near the device. On iPhone, iPad, or Mac, put both earbuds in the case and confirm they are charging.
- Try selecting them as an existing audio device. If the AirPods already appear in the device’s audio or Bluetooth list, select them and test audio with the volume raised. On Mac, choose them explicitly as the audio output if the speakers remain selected.
- Remove and pair again. If the AirPods are listed but will not connect, remove or forget them in Bluetooth settings, then put them back into pairing mode and add them again. Microsoft’s Windows Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance recommends removing and re-adding a device that appears but will not connect.
- Update Apple-device software. For an iPhone, iPad, or Mac that still will not connect, Apple advises updating its software, checking that both earbuds charge in the case, and trying the pairing process again. Follow Apple’s AirPods connection troubleshooting steps.
Why the steps differ by device
An iPhone or iPad can show an onscreen setup animation when an open AirPods case is nearby, while manual Bluetooth selection works if that animation is absent. A Mac can use an existing Apple Account setup to make connection easier, but you may still need to select AirPods as the audio output. Windows uses its ordinary Bluetooth pairing list. Across all platforms, the physical control that starts pairing depends on the AirPods model.
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