How to connect AirPods to a laptop (Windows and Mac)

You may already know how great wireless Apple AirPods are for listening to music and taking calls on your phone, but did you know how to connect AirPods to laptop or a desk?

Modern Macs and PCs come with built-in Bluetooth capabilities, making it incredibly easy to connect AirPods and other Bluetooth devices.

This means you can enjoy the seamless experience of using AirPods with a home computer or work laptop. For example, you could connect your AirPods to enhance your gaming experience, make your voice clear on Zoom meetings or watch a movie.

Connecting to AirPods on Mac OS

Since AirPods are designed to work seamlessly with Apple hardware, they allow you to use Siri navigation while connected to a Mac. If your Mac and iPhone are signed into the same Apple ID, the computer will probably find the AirPods and connect them automatically with one easy button press in the audio menu.

This feature also allows the audio connection to automatically change when you receive a phone call, ensuring that you never miss an important conversation. In addition, you can enjoy other facilities such as spatial sound and noise cancellation for an immersive experience.

How to connect Apple AirPods to Mac

Connecting AirPods on Mac OS

If your Mac doesn’t automatically find your AirPods, don’t worry! You can pair them manually by following the steps detailed in Apple support.

1. On your Mac, go to System Settings from the Apple menu (in the upper left corner of the screen), then click on the Bluetooth icon.

2. In the Bluetooth settings, check that the toggle switch is in the “On” position. If it is off, click the switch to turn it on. You should see a message indicating that Bluetooth is now discoverable, enabling you to connect to any available Bluetooth devices.

3. Place both AirPods in the charging case and open the cover.

4. Press and hold the set button on the back of the AirPods case until the status light flashes white, indicating they are in pairing mode.

5. In the Bluetooth settings on your Mac, find your AirPods in the list of available devices and click Connect.

If you’re having trouble connecting AirPods to your Mac, you may need to update to the latest version of Mac OS. Apple says that the second generation of AirPods Pro requires the latest version of the OS to properly sync with other Apple devices and with all Bluetooth device features.

How to connect Apple AirPods to a Windows computer

All recent versions of Windows PCs support Bluetooth connectivity, and your laptop probably has a compatible antenna as well. You can use your AirPods with a computer, but the Windows operating system will recognize and handle them like any other wireless headphones or earphones.

While you can use them for basic audio playback, listening to music and taking calls, you won’t have access to Apple’s extra features like Siri integration, automatic device switching and spatial audio.

How to connect Apple AirPods to a Windows laptop

Here’s how to pair Bluetooth audio devices and connect Airpods to Windows 10 through Microsoft support:

1. Make sure your Bluetooth is on. Select the Windows Icon (Start) > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, and turn on Bluetooth. Alternatively, you’ll likely find a shortcut to your computer’s Bluetooth settings in the notifications tab at the bottom right of your taskbar.

2. Turn on your Bluetooth audio device and find out. To do this, place AirPods in the charging case and hold the set button until the white status light flashes.

3. On your computer, select the Windows Icon (Start) > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or another device > Bluetooth.

4. Select your AirPods from the list of available devices and follow any additional instructions if they appear, then select Done.

5. Your AirPods and your computer will normally connect automatically whenever they are in range of each other and have Bluetooth turned on.

On the newer Windows 11, this process changes a bit:

1. Turn on your Bluetooth device and find out. For AirPods, place them in the charging case and press and hold the setup button until the white status light flashes.

2. On your computer, click on the Network, Sound or Battery icons next to the time and date on the right side of your taskbar. In the quick settings menu, select Bluetooth to open the Bluetooth settings. Alternatively, you can access this through the Windows Icon (Start) > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.

3. In the Bluetooth quick settings, select Manage Bluetooth devices. Under “Unpaired,” select your AirPods or another Bluetooth device from the list of available devices. Follow any additional on-screen instructions to complete the pairing process.

How to Unpair Bluetooth Devices from your Mac or PC

Have you ever had your AirPods in contact with your Mac right when you were trying to enjoy a movie on your iPad? Sometimes, you just need to disconnect a Bluetooth device to keep everything running smoothly. Here’s how to unpair Bluetooth devices from your Mac or Windows PC.

Uninstall Bluetooth devices from Mac:

1. Open Bluetooth settings: Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen, select System Optionsthen click Bluetooth.

2. Select the device: In the Bluetooth settings, find the device you want to unpair in the list of connected devices.

3. Remove the device: Hover over the device you want to unpair and click the X button next to it, then confirm the removal when prompted.

To uninstall Bluetooth devices from a Windows computer:

1. Open Bluetooth settings: Click on the Windows icon (Start) in the bottom left corner of the screen, select Arrangements (gear icon), click Devices and then select Bluetooth & other devices from the menu on the left.

2. Select the device: In the Bluetooth settings, find the device you want to unpair in the list of connected devices.

3. Remove the device: Click on the device you want to unpair, click on the Remove device button and confirm the removal when prompted.

This article was updated in conjunction with AI technology, and fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

Original article: How to connect AirPods to a laptop (Windows and Mac)

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