Apple’s AirPods are one of the best wireless headphones on the market. This is thanks to the reasonable price, long battery life, and strong sound quality. The headphones should be at the top of your list, whether or not you own any other Apple devices.
We’re looking at how to connect AirPods to a wide variety of different devices so you can start rocking out.
How to Connect AirPods to an iPhone or iPad
Thanks to a special chip, you can connect AirPods with your iPhone or iPad in just a few seconds.
Open your AirPods case and make sure both headphones are inside. Bring them near your iPhone or iPad, and make sure the iOS device is at the home screen.
You’ll then see a dialog box on the screen. Just hit Connect. That’s it. There’s no need to worry about a pairing mode or diving into setup screens.
One of the best features of the second-generation AirPods is the ability to interact with Siri without needing to tap one of the headphones. If you haven’t already set up the “Hey Siri” functionality on your iPhone, you can go through the setup process in just a few steps. You just need to say a few phrases to help the devices better understand your voice.
Another great plus is that if you use iCloud, your AirPods are now ready to use with your other devices. They’ll work with any other iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch where you’re signed in with the same Apple ID.
What to Do When You Can’t Connect AirPods
If for some reason your AirPods don’t connect, there’s no reason to worry.
First, open up Control Center on your iPhone or iPad by swiping up from the bottom (iPhone 8 and earlier) or swiping down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and later). Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on. Then place both AirPods back in the case and close the lid. Wait 15 seconds and then open the lid again.
The AirPods status light should flash white. That means they are ready to connect. On the wireless charging case, the status light is on the front of the case. In the regular charging case, look for the status light in the space between the AirPods.
If you’re still having problems pairing AirPods, turn the case around and hit the small Setup button on the back of the case. Hold the button until you see the status light flash white, then amber, and then flash white continuously.
Open the case again, then place it near your iPhone or iPad. It should pair the AirPods properly.
Can AirPods Connect to Android?
Apple has made sure that Android users aren’t left out of the party. Take a look here to find out how to connect AirPods to Android.
How to Connect AirPods to a MacBook
Connecting your AirPods to a MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, or desktop Mac requires few more steps.
If you’ve already set up your AirPods with an iOS device, and your Mac uses the same iCloud account, place both AirPods in your ears. Select the Bluetooth menu or the Volume Control slider from the menu bar. Then select your AirPods from the list.
You’ll need to know how to pair your AirPods manually if they don’t appear in either of those locations. To do this, select System Preferences from the Apple menu and choose the Bluetooth entry. Confirm that Bluetooth is on.
Place both AirPods back in the case and open the lid. Next, press and hold the Setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white. You should then see the name of the AirPods appear in the Devices list. Click Connect. That process should connect your AirPods.
For some reason, if your AirPods do appear in the Devices list but don’t work, you can delete them and then re-pair them with your Mac. To do that, select them from the list and click the X to the right of the AirPods.
We’ve looked more closely at how to use Bluetooth on your Mac if you’re interested.
How to Connect AirPods to a PC
With a Windows PC, the AirPods act just like any other wireless Bluetooth headphones. So let’s look at the process on how to set up AirPods in that situation.
On your PC, first make sure that Bluetooth is on so you can pair your AirPods. Press Win + A to open the Action Center and check the panels at the bottom if you’re not sure. Then, open the AirPods case and press the Setup button until it flashes white.
Head back to your Bluetooth settings menu at Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and choose Add Bluetooth or other device. Walk through the steps and select your AirPods to complete the connection.
How to Connect AirPods to an Apple Watch
If you’ve already connected your AirPods to the same iPhone that’s paired to your Apple Watch, we’ve got some good news. The wireless headphones should already be available as an audio source when you start playback on your watch.
To start, swipe up from your watch face to bring up the Control Center. Select the AirPlay icon and then the name of your AirPods. Your audio will begin to play.
If they don’t appear as an option, scroll down on the same AirPlay page and select Connect a Device. Put the AirPods in pairing mode by pushing the Setup button until the status light flashes white. Then select them from the list to connect.
How to Connect AirPods to an Apple TV
You might not know, but it’s also possible to pair AirPods (and any other Bluetooth headphones) to the Apple TV. That makes it easy to listen to movies, TV shows, and other media without disturbing anyone around you.
Using the Siri Remote, head to Settings > Remote and Devices. Then click on Bluetooth.
Begin the pairing process on the AirPods by pressing the Setup button until the status light flashes white. Your AirPods should appear on the Other Devices screen. Select the name to pair your AirPods.
Connecting Your AirPods to Anything
As you can see, you can pair AirPods with much more than just an iPhone or other Apple device. Enjoy using the completely wireless headphones to listen to music, podcasts, and anything else you desire.
Now that you are connected and ready to go, make sure to look at these tips to help get the most out of your AirPods.
Read the full article: How to Connect AirPods to Your MacBook, iPhone, PC, or Android
