To pair Apple AirPods, open the case near your device, put them in Bluetooth pairing, then select AirPods and tap or click Connect.
New set or second-hand, the setup is quick once you know where each platform hides its Bluetooth switch. This guide shows the exact steps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Android, and Windows, plus how to enter pairing mode, fix stubborn connections, and reset when needed. Screens may look a little different by version, but the flow stays the same.
Pairing Apple AirPods On Every Device: The Fast Method
Here’s a one-screen cheat sheet you can follow in seconds. Keep the AirPods in the case with the lid open unless noted. If nothing pops up, use the pairing-button method shown in the next sections.
| Device | Where To Start | What You Should See |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | Home Screen → open case next to phone → tap Connect | Setup card; press Connect, then Done |
| iPad | Home Screen → open case → tap Connect | Setup card; tap Connect |
| Mac | System Settings → Bluetooth → open case → hold setup button if needed | AirPods appear under Nearby; click Connect |
| Apple Watch | Settings → Bluetooth → open case → tap AirPods | Connected under Devices |
| Apple TV | Settings → Remotes & Devices → Bluetooth → open case | AirPods listed; select to pair |
| Android | Settings → Bluetooth → Pair new device → hold setup button | AirPods show with status light flashing white |
| Windows | Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → hold setup button | AirPods appear; click Connect |
| Apple Vision Pro | Settings → Bluetooth → open case near device | Pair prompt; select Connect |
How to Pair Apple AirPods With iPhone Or iPad
This is the easiest route thanks to the setup animation. Put both earbuds in the case, open the lid near the device, and tap the prompt. If the card doesn’t appear, turn on Bluetooth, bring the case closer, and try again. Apple documents this exact flow in pair AirPods with iPhone instructions.
When The Card Doesn’t Show
Go to Settings → Bluetooth and check the list. If AirPods appear under “Other Devices,” tap them. If they never appear, place them in pairing mode with the case button (details below), then refresh Bluetooth and try once more.
Pair AirPods With Mac
Open the case. On the Mac, go to System Settings → Bluetooth. Click your AirPods when they show in Nearby and hit Connect. If they don’t appear, hold the setup button until the status light flashes white, then click Connect. Apple outlines this flow in use AirPods with your Mac.
Auto Switching Across Apple Devices
Once paired to one device on your Apple ID, AirPods can auto-switch audio to another signed-in device. If switching steals audio at the wrong time, turn it off per-device in Bluetooth details.
Pair AirPods With Apple Watch And Apple TV
Apple Watch
On the Watch: Settings → Bluetooth. Open the case near the watch. Tap the AirPods name to connect. If needed, put AirPods in pairing mode using the case button until the light flashes white. Apple’s AirPods support pages reflect this behavior across watchOS.
Apple TV
On Apple TV: Settings → Remotes & Devices → Bluetooth. Open the case near the unit and select your AirPods from the list. The pairing sticks for that profile.
Pair AirPods With Android And Windows
AirPods work as standard Bluetooth earbuds on non-Apple hardware. You’ll miss Siri and some extras, but you still get audio, calls, and mic. Apple describes the process under pair with a non-Apple device.
Android Phones And Tablets
Open Settings → Bluetooth → Pair new device. With AirPods in the case, hold the setup button until the light flashes white, then pick them in the list. On some phones you may get AAC; others fall back to SBC. That mix is normal for cross-platform Bluetooth.
Windows 10 And Windows 11
Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth. Enter pairing mode on the case and select your AirPods when they appear. If Windows shows “Connected voice, music,” you’re set.
Enter Pairing Mode On Every AirPods Model
Most models use the small round button on the case; AirPods Max use the Digital Crown with the noise control button. Newer cases add a double-tap gesture. The table below matches each model to the exact action Apple lists.
| AirPods Model | Enter Pairing Mode | Reset Steps (If Needed) |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods (1st–3rd) | Open lid → hold setup button ~5–15s until light flashes white | Hold setup ~15s until amber, then white; re-pair. |
| AirPods Pro (1st–2nd) | Open lid → hold setup button until light flashes white | Hold setup ~15s until amber, then white; re-pair. |
| AirPods Pro (3rd) | Open lid → double-tap front of case to flash white | Close 30s → open → double-tap front of case three times; then pair. |
| AirPods (4th) | Open lid → double-tap front of case to flash white | Close 30s → open → double-tap front three times to reset. |
| AirPods Max | Hold Digital Crown + noise control until light flashes white | Keep holding both until amber, then white; re-pair. |
| Any Model With iPhone | Open case near iPhone → follow on-screen card | Reset with case button steps above, then redo the card. |
| Any Model With Mac | Open case → use Bluetooth settings; hold setup if needed | Remove from list, reset, then connect again. |
Fix AirPods That Won’t Connect
Most pairing snags come down to Bluetooth conflicts or a stale link. Work through these steps in order; you’ll hit the fix fast in nearly every case.
1) Confirm Battery And Range
Charge the case and earbuds for a few minutes. Keep the case within arm’s reach of the device. Low battery or distance can block pairing.
2) Toggle Bluetooth Off And On
On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings → Bluetooth and switch it off, wait five seconds, then switch it back on. On Mac, open System Settings → Bluetooth and do the same. Apple’s connection article lists these core checks.
3) Forget, Then Re-Add
In Bluetooth settings, tap the info icon next to the AirPods entry and choose Forget or Remove. Enter pairing mode and add them again.
4) Reset The AirPods
Place the earbuds in the case. Close for 20–30 seconds. Open the lid, then hold the setup button until the light flashes amber, then white. On AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods 4, use the case double-tap sequence listed in the table above. Apple documents the timing and light colors on its reset AirPods page.
5) Update And Restart
Install the latest iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, or tvOS updates. Then restart the device. Firmware on the AirPods updates automatically once they’re connected and charging; Apple explains the conditions for updates in its support notes.
Bluetooth Tips For Smoother Pairing
Keep One Active Host
Turn Bluetooth off on nearby devices that might grab the AirPods during setup. Phones and laptops in the same room often try to auto-reconnect.
Pick The Output Manually
On iPhone, swipe down for Control Center, tap the AirPlay icon, and pick the AirPods. On Mac, click Control Center → Sound and choose the AirPods. Apple lists these checks in its connection guide.
Know What You Lose On Non-Apple
On Android or Windows you won’t get Siri and some device-switching perks. You still get calls and audio. Apple’s non-Apple pairing note confirms the limits.
About Codecs On Android
Many Android phones connect with SBC; some switch to AAC. If audio stutters, try clearing the pairing and re-adding, or lock the codec if your phone allows it.
Step-By-Step: Enter Pairing Mode
AirPods And AirPods Pro
Place both earbuds in the case. Open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the back until the status light flashes white. Now add them in your device’s Bluetooth menu.
AirPods Pro 3 And AirPods 4 Cases
Open the case with the earbuds inside, then double-tap the front of the case to make the light flash white. If you’re resetting, double-tap three times after a brief wait with the lid closed.
AirPods Max
Press and hold the Digital Crown and the noise control button together until the status light flashes white, then connect from Bluetooth settings. Keep holding until amber then white if you’re doing a full reset.
How to Pair Apple AirPods Again After A Reset
After a reset, your AirPods forget every device. Start with the phone or computer you use most. Open the case near that device and complete the card or Bluetooth step. Then add them to any other device you want to use. Apple’s reset page lists the exact timing for the amber and white flashes that confirm the reset worked.
Quick Answers To Common Pairing Scenarios
Switch From iPhone To Windows For A Call
End the call on iPhone or place AirPods back in the case. On Windows, open Bluetooth, pick the AirPods, and click Connect. If Windows says “Couldn’t connect,” remove the device, re-enter pairing mode, and add again.
Share AirPods Between Two iPhones
Pair AirPods to the main phone. On the second phone, open the case near it and tap the card to connect when requested. If you prefer strict behavior, turn off “Automatic Switching” on each phone so you choose output manually.
Use One Earbud Only
Take one earbud out of the case and leave the other inside. The single earbud should connect alone. Put it back when done; the pair will sync next time.
Security And Genuine Units
Always pair in a familiar place so nearby devices don’t snag the connection mid-setup. If you suspect a counterfeit unit, check the serial at Apple’s coverage site and look for the normal setup card behavior on iPhone. Apple’s support hub links to these checks across its AirPods pages.
What To Do When Nothing Works
Walk through this short checklist in order:
Charge And Reboot
Charge the case and earbuds for at least ten minutes. Reboot the phone or computer. Try pairing again while holding the case close to the device.
Forget On Every Device Nearby
Remove the AirPods from Bluetooth on phones, tablets, laptops, and TVs in the room. Then perform a reset and pair fresh to the device you want.
Check For Updates
Install OS updates on your phone or computer. AirPods firmware updates happen in the background once they’re charging and within range, as Apple notes on its support site.
Contact Apple
If the status light never flashes or the case button does nothing, you may have a hardware issue. Book a visit or mail-in repair through Apple Support.
Why This Setup Works Across Brands
AirPods speak standard Bluetooth for the basics. That means you can pair them to Android and Windows just like any earbuds. Apple adds extra perks on its own devices, like instant cards, Find My integration, and auto switching. On non-Apple gear, you still get solid wireless audio and calls, which is all most people need. The non-Apple pairing steps from Apple’s guide confirm that cross-platform support is built in.
Final Checklist Before You Hit Play
- Case charged; earbuds seated with the lid open during setup.
- Bluetooth on; only one likely host powered near you.
- Status light flashing white when pairing; amber then white when resetting.
- Pick AirPods manually in the output selector if audio goes elsewhere.
- Keep Apple’s pairing and reset pages handy in a bookmark for next time.
Once you’ve done it once, the process takes seconds. Use this page whenever you swap phones, set up a new Mac, or connect to a console-adjacent PC. With the right steps, pairing stays quick and predictable every time.