Switch your AirPods to another device
You can switch from listening to one device with your AirPods to listening to another.
Switch automatically
These AirPods can switch automatically1 between your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro:
AirPods 2, 3 and 4 (both models)
AirPods Pro 1, 2 and 3
AirPods Max
To switch between devices automatically, update all of your devices to the latest versions of their operating systems and sign in to your devices with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.
For example, when you’re signed in with the same Apple Account on your devices, your AirPods will switch automatically from listening to music on your Mac to listening to a podcast on your iPhone. Or if you get a phone call on your iPhone that you answer on your Apple Watch, the phone call audio will be automatically routed to your AirPods.
In macOS Sequoia and later, compatible AirPods can switch automatically between your Mac and your other Apple devices. In macOS Sonoma, a notification about your AirPods will appear on your Mac — click Connect to confirm you want your AirPods to switch to your Mac.
Switch manually
You can manually switch your AirPods to another device. Make sure you are wearing your AirPods near the device you want to switch to when trying to switch devices.
On iPhone or iPad
Tap the AirPlay button
on the Now Playing screen, the Lock Screen or in Control Centre on your iPhone or on your iPad, then choose the device that you want from the list.2
On Mac
Click Control Centre
in the menu bar, click Bluetooth, then choose your AirPods from the list.
On Apple Watch
Press the side button to open Control Centre.
Tap the Playback Destination button
, then choose your AirPods.
On Apple TV
Press and hold the TV/Control Centre button
on on the Siri Remote to open Control Centre.Select the General Settings tab.
Select the Audio Controls button
, then choose your AirPods.
On Apple Vision Pro
Tap the Control Centre button
to see more options.Tap the Now Playing control.
In the Now Playing window that appears, select your AirPods.
Turn off automatic switching
If you don't want your AirPods to switch automatically, you can turn off automatic switching on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro or other playback devices.
On iPhone or iPad
With your AirPods in your ears and connected to your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > [your AirPods].
Tap the More Info button
next to your AirPods in the list of devices.Tap Connect to This iPhone [or iPad].
Tap When Last Connected to This [Device].
To turn on this feature again, tap Automatically.
On Mac
With your AirPods in your ears and connected to your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Bluetooth.
Click the Options button next to your AirPods in the list of devices.
From the Connect to This Mac menu, choose When Last Connected to This Mac.
On Apple TV
With your AirPods in your ears and connected to your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth.
Turn off Suggest Nearby AirPods.
On Apple Vision Pro
With your AirPods in your ears, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Turn off Automatic Ear Detection.
On other playback devices
To keep audio in your AirPods when your iPhone connects to a vehicle or speakers:
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General.
Tap AirPlay & Continuity, then turn on “Keep Audio with Headphones.”
When Keep Audio with Headphones is turned on and a car or speaker is available, a banner appears at the top of your iPhone screen. Tap the AirPlay button
to transfer audio to the car or speakers.
When Keep Audio with Headphones is turned off, tap the Undo button
to move the audio back to AirPods.
Need more help?
Tell us more about what’s happening and we’ll suggest what you can do next.
1. Sound should not switch from one device to another automatically if you’re in a conversation, such as a phone call, a FaceTime call or a video conference.
2. AirPods will only appear when they’re nearby and ready to use.
