Set up AirPods with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices

If you're using AirPods (2nd generation), make sure that your Mac has macOS Mojave 10.14.4 or later. AirPods Pro (1st generation) require macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or later. AirPods (3rd generation) require macOS Monterey or later. AirPods Pro (2nd generation) require the latest version of macOS.

If you set up your AirPods with your iPhone and your Mac is signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID, your AirPods might be ready to use with your Mac. Place your AirPods in your ears and click Control Center  in the menu bar. Click Bluetooth, then choose your AirPods from the list.

If your AirPods don't appear in Control Center¹ , pair your AirPods with your Mac:

1. On your Mac, choose System Settings from the Apple menu , then click Bluetooth.
2. Make sure that Bluetooth is on.
   
3. Put both AirPods in the charging case and open the lid.
4. 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 Center  in the menu bar and make sure that your AirPods are selected as the output 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,² follow these steps:

1. On your non-Apple device, go to the settings for Bluetooth and make sure that Bluetooth is on.³ If you have an Android device, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.
2. With your AirPods in the charging case, open the lid.
3. 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.
    

Your AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation) and your AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation) 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. Your devices need to be signed in with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication. For example, while listening to music on your Mac, you answer a call on your iPhone. Your AirPods automatically switch from the music on your Mac to the phone call on your iPhone.

In some situations, a notification about your AirPods appears on the screen of your Mac. When you hold the pointer over the notification, a Connect button appears. Click Connect to confirm that you want your AirPods to switch to your Mac or stay with your Mac.

If you want to turn off automatic switching for your Mac, open Bluetooth preferences on your Mac while your AirPods are in your ears. Click the Options button next to your AirPods in the list of devices. Click Connect to This Mac, and then choose When Last Connected to This Mac. To turn this feature on again, choose Automatically.

Sound should not automatically switch from one device to another if you're in a conversation, like a phone call, a FaceTime call, or a video conference.
 

Learn what to do if you can't set up or connect your AirPods.
 

1. Your AirPods Pro (2nd generation) can connect automatically with your Mac that uses macOS Ventura or later. Your AirPods (3rd generation) can connect automatically with your Mac that uses macOS Monterey or later. Your AirPods Pro can connect automatically with your Mac that uses macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or later. Your AirPods (2nd generation) can connect automatically with your Mac that uses macOS Mojave 10.14.4 or later. Your AirPods (1st generation) can connect automatically with your Mac that uses macOS Sierra or later.
2. The features of your AirPods might be limited, depending on the Bluetooth device that they're connected to.
3. If you can't find the Bluetooth settings for your device, check the user guide.