How to Connect AirPods to Another Device: A Quick Guide

Apple’s AirPods, with their wireless convenience and ease of use, have revolutionized the way people listen to audio on the go. Pairing them with an Apple device such as an iPhone or a Mac is straightforward, but you may not always want to use them with the same device. Understanding how to connect your AirPods to another device can enhance your experience, giving you the flexibility to switch from your phone to your laptop or even to a friend’s device without any hassle.

When looking to connect your AirPods to a Mac, you can do so by accessing the Bluetooth settings through the system preferences. If you’re using an iPhone or an iPad, the automatic pairing feature is a significant convenience; simply open the case near the device with Bluetooth enabled, and a prompt to connect should appear. But your AirPods aren’t limited to Apple products alone; they can also be paired with non-Apple devices that support Bluetooth, making them versatile audio accessories that fit various user needs.

Connecting your AirPods to alternate devices requires only a few steps, whether you’re switching between your own Apple products or you’re connecting to a non-Apple device. Ensuring Bluetooth is activated on the device and handling the AirPods correctly will allow them to enter pairing mode. Once in this mode, the AirPods become discoverable, and you can connect them to the new device and enjoy your content seamlessly.

Checking Compatibility

Before attempting to connect your AirPods to a new device, it’s vital to ensure compatibility. Apple AirPods are designed primarily for use with Apple devices, but they also work with other Bluetooth-enabled devices.

For Apple Devices:

Your device must be running on the following OS or later to pair with AirPods:

• iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: iOS 12.2
• Apple Watch: watchOS 5.2
• Mac: macOS 10.14.4
• Apple TV: tvOS 12.2

To check your device’s operating system, go to Settings > General > About and look next to “Software Version.”

For Non-Apple Devices:

AirPods can pair with any device that supports Bluetooth audio. This includes:

• Android smartphones and tablets
• Windows PCs and laptops
• Chromebooks
• Other Bluetooth-enabled devices

However, some advanced features such as automatic switching and Siri may not be available on these devices.

Key Points to Remember:

• Update your Apple devices to the latest OS for optimum compatibility.
• For non-Apple devices, ensure Bluetooth is enabled and the device is in pairing mode.
• AirPods must be charged to pair successfully.

Always refer to your AirPods’ manual, or the Apple Support website for the most accurate compatibility guidelines.

Preparing Your AirPods for Connection

Before you pair your AirPods with another device, it’s important to ensure they’re charged and disconnected from any currently connected devices. This will provide a smooth setup experience.

Charging Your AirPods

• Check Battery: Place your AirPods in their case and ensure the status light shows either green for a fully charged case or amber indicating that charging is in progress. If the light is off, your case is out of battery.
• Charge If Necessary: Connect your AirPods case to a power source using the Lightning cable and wait until the status light turns green, indicating a full charge.

Disconnecting from the Current Device

1. Access Settings: On your current device, navigate to the Bluetooth settings.
2. Select Your AirPods: Find your AirPods on the list of connected devices.
3. Choose ‘Forget This Device’: This option will unpair your AirPods, preventing them from automatically reconnecting to the device.

Connecting to iOS Devices

Seamless pairing with iOS devices is a cornerstone feature of AirPods. This section specifically addresses how you can connect your AirPods to an iPhone or iPad, and manage connections using the Control Center.

Using iPhone or iPad

To pair your AirPods with an iPhone or iPad, ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your device. Follow these specifics steps:

• AirPods (all generations) or AirPods Pro (all generations):

  1. Open the charging case with your AirPods inside.
  2. Hold the case next to your iOS device.
  3. A setup animation should appear on your device’s screen.
  4. Tap Connect when prompted.

• AirPods Max:

  1. Take your AirPods Max out of the Smart Case.
  2. Hold them next to your iOS device.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect.

Make sure your device is running the latest version of iOS.

Using the Control Center

To switch your AirPods between already paired iOS devices, the Control Center is a convenient tool.

• To access the Control Center, swipe down from the upper-right corner of your device screen (or up from the bottom edge on some older models).
• Press and hold the audio card in the upper-right corner to bring up your audio controls.
• Tap AirPlay.
• Select your AirPods from the list of available devices.

Connecting to Android Devices

Connecting your AirPods to an Android device is simple and involves two main steps: enabling your phone’s Bluetooth feature and then pairing the device with your AirPods.

Enabling Bluetooth

Make sure your Android device’s Bluetooth is turned on. This can usually be done by swiping down from the top of the screen to access the Quick Settings menu and tapping the Bluetooth icon. It should light up when active. For a more detailed approach:

1. Go to your phone’s Settings.
2. Scroll to and select Connections or Connected Devices (this may vary depending on your Android model).
3. Toggle Bluetooth to on.

Pairing with AirPods

Once Bluetooth is active, you can pair your AirPods.

1. Place your AirPods in their charging case and open the lid.
2. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light starts flashing white.
3. On your Android device, navigate back to Bluetooth settings.
4. Select Pair New Device to make your phone discoverable.
5. Choose your AirPods from the list of available devices.

Connecting to Windows Computers

Pairing your AirPods with a Windows PC allows you to enjoy audio from your computer directly through your wireless earbuds. This process consists of accessing Bluetooth settings and then setting up the connection.

Opening Bluetooth Settings

1. Insert your AirPods into their charging case and ensure they are charged.
2. On your Windows PC, open the Start menu and select Settings.
3. Navigate to Devices. If you’re on Windows 10, select Bluetooth & Other Devices. For Windows 11 users, click on Bluetooth & Devices from the sidebar.
4. Ensure the Bluetooth toggle is switched to On.

Completing the Pairing Process

1. Choose Add device or Add Bluetooth or other device, depending on your version of Windows.
2. With the AirPods case still open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light starts flashing white.
3. Select your AirPods from the list of devices and wait for them to connect.
4. Once connected, audio should play through the AirPods whenever they are selected as the output device.

Connecting to Mac Computers

Connecting your AirPods to a Mac computer is a straightforward process that involves accessing your Mac’s Bluetooth settings and pairing your AirPods directly through the System Preferences pane.

Accessing Bluetooth Preferences

To get started, you’ll need to access the Bluetooth settings on your Mac. Here’s how:

1. Click the Apple menu in the upper-left corner of the screen.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Click on Bluetooth to open the Bluetooth preferences pane.
4. Ensure that Bluetooth is turned on.

Pairing AirPods through System Preferences

With Bluetooth enabled, pairing your AirPods to your Mac is just a few clicks away:

1. Place both AirPods in the charging case and open the lid.
2. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.
3. Look for your AirPods in the list of devices under the “Devices” section in the Bluetooth preferences pane.
4. Click Connect next to your AirPods.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When your AirPods fail to connect, two critical steps to resolve such issues include resetting your AirPods and checking for firmware updates. These measures often restore connectivity and performance.

Resetting Your AirPods

To reset your AirPods:

1. Place your AirPods in their charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait 15 seconds, then open the lid.
3. On your device, go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods.
4. Tap Forget This Device and confirm your decision.
5. With the AirPods case lid open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 10 seconds until the status light flashes white.
6. Reconnect your AirPods by placing them close to your device and following the on-screen instructions.

Checking for Firmware Updates

Firmware updates can improve performance and connectivity. Your AirPods update automatically when they are connected to an iOS device and charging. To ensure an update, follow these steps:

1. Insert your AirPods in the charging case and connect it to a power source.
2. Pair the AirPods to your iPhone or iPad.
3. Leave the device and AirPods in close proximity while the AirPods charge.
4. To check the current firmware version once they’ve had time to update, go to Settings > General > About > AirPods, and note the firmware version.

If you’re experiencing persistent issues, consider contacting Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store for further assistance.