To use AirPods as your Mac’s microphone, connect them, then choose them in Apple menu > System Settings > Sound > Input. To select which AirPod supplies the mic, change the AirPods’ microphone preference in their settings. Input and playback output are separate, so check both if you want your voice captured by AirPods and sound played through them.
Connect AirPods to your Mac
If your AirPods were set up with an iPhone and your Mac uses the same Apple Account, they may connect automatically. Otherwise, use Bluetooth settings on the Mac:
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- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
- Put your AirPods into pairing mode using the instructions for your specific model.
- Select the AirPods on the Mac and click Connect. Apple’s pairing instructions vary by model; see Apple’s AirPods setup instructions if needed.
Choose AirPods as the Mac’s microphone
- Open Apple menu > System Settings > Sound.
- Click Input.
- Select your connected AirPods from the available input devices.
- Adjust the input volume on the same page if needed.
Apple lists the sound input devices available to the Mac in this panel. If AirPods are connected but do not appear, check the Bluetooth connection, then return to Sound > Input and inspect the list again. For details, see Apple’s Mac sound input guide.
Choose the left or right AirPod microphone
Apple says there is a microphone in each AirPod. With AirPods connected and worn, open System Settings, click their name in the sidebar, and open Microphone. Choose one of these options:
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Depending on macOS version, you may need to open Audio & Routing before the Microphone setting appears. Apple’s instructions are at Change the settings of your AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Set playback output separately
The Input setting controls which microphone captures your voice; Output controls where Mac audio plays. Choosing AirPods as the input does not automatically select them for playback. To send sound to AirPods, choose them under Apple menu > System Settings > Sound > Output, or select them from the sound controls in Control Center. Apple’s Bluetooth device connection guide also describes connecting and selecting Bluetooth audio devices.
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If AirPods do not appear as an input
- Confirm they are connected: Check System Settings > Bluetooth. If they are disconnected, reconnect them before checking the input list.
- Refresh the list: Return to System Settings > Sound > Input and look through the available devices.
- Choose another available mic if needed: Depending on the Mac and connected hardware, options may include the built-in microphone, a display microphone, an iPhone microphone, or an external microphone.
- Check the input level: Select the intended device and make sure its input volume is adequate in the Sound settings.
- Check the app’s own audio settings: Some apps let you choose an input independently of the macOS system selection. If the Mac’s input is set correctly but the app still uses another mic, inspect the app’s audio or call settings.
Available alternatives depend on the Mac’s hardware and what is connected. Select the microphone that suits your setup rather than assuming one option is always best.
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