To pair AirPods, turn on Bluetooth on the device, put the AirPods in pairing mode, and select them from its Bluetooth list. On an iPhone or iPad, you can usually start with the open case held nearby and follow the setup prompt instead. The exact pairing control depends on your AirPods model.
Before you start: put AirPods in pairing mode
Keep the AirPods close to the device you want to connect. For most AirPods and AirPods Pro cases, place both earbuds inside, open the lid, then 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.
Pairing controls vary by generation, so if your case has no rear setup button or the light does not flash, follow Apple’s model-specific setup instructions rather than assuming every case works the same way.
Pair AirPods with an iPhone or iPad
- On the iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.
- For AirPods or AirPods Pro, put both earbuds in their case, open the lid, and hold the case near the device.
- When the setup animation appears, follow the onscreen prompts.
- If the animation does not appear, put the AirPods into pairing mode, then select them under Settings > Bluetooth.
For AirPods Max, remove them from the Smart Case and bring them near the iPhone or iPad to start proximity setup. If that prompt does not appear, use Bluetooth settings and put the headphones into pairing mode. 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 AirPods setup guide.
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- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Pair AirPods with a Mac
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
- Put the AirPods into pairing mode.
- When they appear in the devices list, select them and complete any onscreen prompt.
If you already set up the AirPods with an iPhone and your Mac uses the same Apple Account, they may connect automatically. You may still need to select them in Control Center or Sound. If the connection is active but sound continues through the Mac speakers, choose AirPods as the audio output. Apple’s Mac and Bluetooth setup instructions explain the connection process. Automatic switching among supported Apple devices depends on compatible AirPods and operating-system versions; it also requires the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication.
Pair AirPods with a Windows PC
First confirm that the PC has Bluetooth and turn it on. Put the AirPods into pairing mode, then follow the route for your Windows version:
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- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Windows 11
- Open the taskbar’s quick settings and use the Bluetooth control to manage Bluetooth devices, or open Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Choose the option to add or pair a Bluetooth device.
- Select your AirPods when they appear and follow any prompts.
Windows 10
- Open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth.
- Select your AirPods when they appear and finish pairing.
Windows labels can vary by version. Microsoft’s Bluetooth pairing guide covers Windows 10 and 11. If the PC has no built-in Bluetooth, Microsoft says a USB Bluetooth adapter can add it. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025; Microsoft recommends Windows 11, although a Windows 10 PC can still function.
What to expect when using AirPods with Windows
AirPods can work 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: behavior depends on the AirPods model and device. Apple describes the non-Apple connection in its Bluetooth setup guidance.
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- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Fix AirPods that do not appear or connect
- Check Bluetooth and pairing mode. Confirm Bluetooth is enabled on the target device and the AirPods are in pairing mode, indicated by a flashing white status light on supported cases.
- Check charge and proximity. Keep AirPods near the device. On Apple devices, put both earbuds in the case and make sure they are charging before trying again.
- Choose the AirPods as the audio device. On a Mac, Bluetooth pairing may succeed without switching audio output; select the AirPods in Sound or Control Center. On other devices, check the selected audio or output device if pairing is listed as connected but sound comes from elsewhere.
- Remove and pair again. If the device lists the AirPods but cannot connect, remove or forget them in Bluetooth settings, then put them back in pairing mode and add them again. Microsoft recommends removing and re-adding a Bluetooth device when it appears but will not connect.
- Update and retry on Apple devices. Apple advises updating device software, checking Bluetooth, and trying setup again if AirPods or AirPods Pro will not connect.
For additional steps, see Apple’s AirPods connection troubleshooting guide and Microsoft’s Windows Bluetooth troubleshooting guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the steps differ by device
The iPhone and iPad proximity animation is a convenient setup route, while manual Bluetooth selection works across platforms. Mac may recognize AirPods already associated with the same Apple Account; Windows uses its standard Bluetooth device list. The pairing control itself can also differ by AirPods generation, so use the model-specific instructions if the usual case-button steps do not match your hardware.
Quick Recap
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- Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
- Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
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- Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit
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- Automatically on, automatically connected
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- Quick access to Siri by saying “Hey Siri”
- Double-tap to play or skip forward
- New Apple H1 headphone chip delivers faster wireless connection to your devices
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