Set up AirPods with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices

Find out how to set up your AirPods with your Mac, Android device or another Bluetooth device to listen to music, take phone calls and more.

Use AirPods with your Mac

If you set up your AirPods* with your iPhone, and your Mac is signed in to iCloud with the same Apple Account, your AirPods should connect automatically with your Mac:

1. Place your AirPods in your ears and click Control Centre in the menu bar.

2. Click Bluetooth, then choose your AirPods from the list.

Pair AirPods with your Mac manually

If your AirPods don't appear in Control Centre and connect automatically, you can pair your AirPods with your Mac manually:

1. On your Mac, choose System Settings from the Apple menu , then click Bluetooth.

2. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

3. Put both AirPods in the charging case and open the lid.

4. Depending on your device:

   • For AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 (both models), double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white.

   • For all other models, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.

5. Click Connect next to your AirPods in the Nearby Devices list.

   

If sound still plays from your Mac speakers, click Control Centre in the menu bar and make sure your AirPods are selected as the output device.

If your AirPods don’t appear in Find My, make sure you’re signed in to the same Apple Account on both your Mac and iPhone, and that both devices are running the latest software version.

Switch devices automatically

Your AirPods 2, 3 and 4, and your AirPods Pro can switch automatically between your Mac with macOS Big Sur or later, iPhone with iOS 14 or later, and iPad with iPadOS 14 or later.

For example, while listening to music on your Mac, you can answer a call on your iPhone. Your AirPods will switch from the music on your Mac to the phone call on your iPhone automatically.

Your devices need to be signed in with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.

Use AirPods with a non-Apple device

You can use AirPods as a Bluetooth headset with a non-Apple device. You can't use Siri, but you can listen and talk. To set up your AirPods with an Android phone or other non-Apple device:

1. On your non-Apple device, go to the settings for Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on. If you have an Android device, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.

2. With your AirPods in the charging case, open the lid.

3. Do the following, depending on your device:

   • For AirPods 4 (both models) and AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white.

   • For all other models, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.

4. When your AirPods appear in the list of Bluetooth devices, select them.

Find out more

If your AirPods or AirPods Pro won't connect

Set up AirPods Max with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices