How to connect airpods to laptop

While primarily designed for Apple’s ecosystem, AirPods can also be easily paired with laptops running other operating systems like Windows.

Connecting AirPods to MacBook

To use your AirPods with your Macbook, make sure your Mac’s software is new enough for your AirPods model:

AirPods 2: Your Mac needs macOS Mojave version 10.14.4 or newer.
AirPods 3: Your Mac needs macOS Monterey or newer.
AirPods Pro 1: Your Mac needs macOS Catalina version 10.15.1 or newer.
AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4: Your Mac needs the very latest version of macOS.

If you’ve already connected your AirPods to your iPhone and you’re signed into the same Apple account on your Mac, your AirPods might connect to your Mac automatically. Just put them in your ears!

If they don’t connect automatically, here’s how to connect them manually:

Click on the Control Center icon at the top right of your Mac’s screen (it looks like two switches).
Click on Bluetooth.
Find your AirPods in the list that appears and click on them to connect.

Here’s how to manually connect your AirPods to your Mac if they don’t show up in Control Center:

On your Mac, click the Apple menu at the top left of your screen and choose System Settings.
Click on Bluetooth in the System Settings window.
Make sure the Bluetooth switch is turned on.
Put both of your AirPods back in their charging case and open the lid.
Now, do one of these things depending on your AirPods:
- For AirPods 4: double-tap the front of the case twice until light on the case starts flashing white.
- For AirPods Max: On the top of the right earcup, you’ll find a noise control button. Press and hold this button until the status light starts flashing white.
- For all other AirPods: Press and hold the small button on the back of the case until that light starts flashing white.
On your Mac, in the Bluetooth settings, you should see your AirPods listed under Nearby Devices.
Click the Connect button next to your AirPods in the Nearby Devices list.

Connecting AirPods to a Windows Laptop

Here’s how to connect your AirPods to a Windows laptop:

On your Windows laptop, go to the Bluetooth settings and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
Get your AirPods ready to pair:
- For AirPods 4: Quickly tap the front of the charging case twice until the status light starts flashing white.
- For AirPods Max: On the top of the right earcup, you’ll find a noise control button. Press and hold this button until the status light starts flashing white.
- For all other AirPods: Press and hold the small button on the back of the charging case until the status light starts flashing white.
On your Windows computer, click Add a new Bluetooth device.
Wait for your AirPods to appear in the list of devices. When you see them, click on them to select and connect.