AirPods connect through Bluetooth, which means your device finds them wirelessly and pairs them once
When you open the case near an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, a setup screen appears automatically. Tap Connect and you are done — the pairing happens in seconds. For Android phones, Windows computers, or other non-Apple devices, you manually turn on Bluetooth in settings, find "AirPods" in the list, and tap it to pair. After the first pairing, your AirPods reconnect automatically whenever you open the case near that device.
The process is the same whether you own AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods (second or third generation), or AirPods with a wired charging case. The only difference is where the pairing button is located — on newer models it is on the back of the case, while older models have it on the bottom.
Key Takeaways
- Apple devices show a pairing screen automatically when you open the AirPods case nearby, but Android and Windows devices require you to manually search for them in Bluetooth settings.
- Once paired to a device, your AirPods reconnect automatically every time you open the case near that device.
- You can pair the same AirPods to multiple devices, but they only connect to one at a time.
- If pairing fails, hold the setup button for 15 seconds to reset the AirPods and try again.
Pairing AirPods to an iPhone or iPad
Open the AirPods case and hold it within a few inches of your iPhone or iPad. A white setup screen appears on your device showing an image of the AirPods and a Connect button. Tap the button. Your device sends a signal to the AirPods, and within a few seconds they appear in your Bluetooth settings as connected.
If the setup screen does not appear, your Bluetooth may be turned off. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and turn it on. Then try opening the AirPods case again. If you still see no screen, restart your iPhone or iPad by powering it off and back on, then repeat the process.
After pairing, your AirPods stay linked to that iPhone or iPad. The next time you open the case near that device, they connect without any action from you. You can check the connection by opening Control Center (swipe down from the top right on newer iPhones, or up from the bottom on older ones) and looking for the AirPods name under the audio section.
Pairing AirPods to an Android Phone
Android phones do not show an automatic pairing screen, so you must start the process manually. Open the AirPods case and press and hold the setup button on the back (or bottom, depending on your model) for about 3 seconds until the light inside the case turns white and blinks. This puts the AirPods into pairing mode.
On your Android phone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth on if it is off. Your phone scans for nearby devices and shows a list. Look for "AirPods" in that list and tap it. Your phone connects to the AirPods, and they appear as paired in your Bluetooth settings.
After the first pairing, opening the case near your Android phone will not automatically reconnect them — you must manually turn on Bluetooth and tap the AirPods name again. This is a limitation of Android, not the AirPods themselves. Some Android phones have a shortcut to Bluetooth in the quick settings menu at the top of the screen, which makes reconnecting faster.
Pairing AirPods to a Mac or Windows Computer
For a Mac, open the AirPods case near your computer. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs), click Bluetooth, and look for AirPods in the list of available devices. Click the Connect button next to the AirPods name. Your Mac pairs with them and remembers the connection.
For a Windows computer, first put your AirPods into pairing mode by holding the setup button for 3 seconds until the light blinks white. On your Windows PC, go to Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, and turn Bluetooth on. Your AirPods appear in the list of available devices. Click on them and select Pair. Windows connects to them and saves the pairing.
After pairing to a computer, your AirPods reconnect when you open the case near it and Bluetooth is on. If you have paired the same AirPods to both a Mac and a Windows PC, they will try to connect to whichever device is closest or was used most recently. You can manually switch which device they connect to by going into Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use.
Pairing AirPods to an Apple Watch
Open the AirPods case near your Apple Watch. The watch detects them and shows a pairing screen with a Connect button. Tap it to pair. Your watch now uses the AirPods for calls, music, and audio.
If the automatic screen does not appear, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Bluetooth, and look for your AirPods in the list. Tap them to pair. Your Apple Watch can use the same AirPods as your iPhone, and they will switch between the two devices depending on which one is being used.
What to Do If Pairing Fails
If your device does not find the AirPods or the pairing does not complete, the first step is to reset them. Open the case and press and hold the setup button for 15 seconds. The light inside the case will flash amber, then white — this means the AirPods have been reset and forgotten by all devices.
After resetting, try pairing again from the beginning. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your device, and hold the AirPods case within a few inches of the device you want to pair. If you are pairing to an Android phone or Windows computer, remember to hold the setup button for 3 seconds to enter pairing mode before your device can find them.
If pairing still fails after a reset, restart your device completely by powering it off and back on. Then try pairing one more time. If the AirPods still do not pair, they may have a hardware problem — try pairing them to a different device to see if the issue is with the AirPods or with your original device.
Pairing Multiple Devices to the Same AirPods
You can pair your AirPods to as many devices as you want. Each time you pair them to a new device, that device is added to the list of devices they remember. Your AirPods will connect to any of these devices when the case opens nearby and Bluetooth is on.
If you have paired AirPods to both an iPhone and a Mac, for example, they will usually connect to whichever device you are actively using. If both devices have Bluetooth on and are equally close, the AirPods may connect to the device that was most recently used. You can manually switch which device they connect to by going into Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use and tapping the AirPods name.
To remove a device from your AirPods' memory, go to Bluetooth settings on that device, find the AirPods name, and select Forget This Device or Unpair. The AirPods will no longer automatically connect to that device, though you can pair them again at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my AirPods not show up in Bluetooth settings?
The AirPods may not be in pairing mode. Open the case and hold the setup button for 3 seconds until the light inside blinks white. If you are using an Apple device, the automatic pairing screen should appear instead — if it does not, try restarting your device and opening the case again.
Can I use the same AirPods on two devices at the same time?
No. AirPods connect to only one device at a time, even if they are paired to multiple devices. If you want to switch them to a different device, you must manually select them in Bluetooth settings on that device. They will disconnect from the first device and connect to the second.
Do I have to pair my AirPods every time I use them?
No. After the first pairing, your AirPods remember that device. Opening the case near the device will reconnect them automatically, as long as Bluetooth is on. You only need to pair them once per device.
What does the light inside the AirPods case mean?
White light means the AirPods are ready to pair or are already connected. Amber light means they are charging or have low battery. If the light does not appear at all, the case battery may be empty and needs to charge.
Can I pair AirPods to a non-Apple device?
Yes. AirPods work with any device that has Bluetooth, including Android phones, Windows computers, and some smart speakers. The pairing process is the same — put the AirPods in pairing mode and select them from your device's Bluetooth settings.