Connect AirPods to Your Laptop: Here’s How

white earphones on black surface

Whether you have the AirPods, the AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, there’s going to be a moment when you want to connect your AirPods to your laptop. While in most cases your AirPods should pair with nearby devices directly, sometimes you need to help the process a bit. Here’s how.

How to connect your AirPods to your MacBook

To connect your AirPods to your laptop, follow these steps:

  1. Open the lid of your AirPods case but keep the AirPods inside.
  2. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.
  3. On your MacBook, choose “System Preferences” from the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, then click “Bluetooth.”
  4. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
  5. Select your AirPods from the Devices list, then click “Connect.”

Connect AirPods to your Windows laptop

If You’re Using a Windows Laptop:

  1. Open the lid of your AirPods case but keep the AirPods inside.
  2. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.
  3. On your laptop, click on the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard, then select “Settings” (represented by a gear icon).
  4. In the settings menu, click on “Devices.”
  5. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. If not, turn it on. The option should be in the Bluetooth & other devices section of the Devices menu.
  6. Click on “Add Bluetooth or other device” near the top of the screen.
  7. In the window that pops up, select “Bluetooth.”
  8. Your laptop will start scanning for devices. Select your AirPods from the list.
  9. Click on “Done” or “Finish” to complete the setup.

Please note, the process might vary slightly depending on the specific model of your AirPods and laptop, and the operating system version you’re using. It’s always a good idea to consult your devices’ user manuals or manufacturer’s website for the most accurate information.

John Biggs

John Biggs is an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and maker. He spent fifteen years as an editor for Gizmodo, CrunchGear, and TechCrunch and has a deep background in hardware startups, 3D printing, and blockchain. His work has appeared in Men’s Health, Wired, and the New York Times.

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