The wireless AirPods are easy to use. Thanks to the smart technology, it is possible to use the earphones and headphones on all your Apple devices without any hassle. The AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max can automatically connect to your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.
To enable automatic connection, an iCloud account and an Apple device with supporting software are required. If you have a device with older software or completely different software, you can also use the AirPods via the traditional Bluetooth connection. This means that the music accessories can also be used on, for example, an Android device or Windows computer.
Pairing AirPods
Apple’s wireless earphones and headphones can automatically connect to Apple devices, below we explain how that works. You can also manually connect the AirPods via a traditional Bluetooth connection. This is especially useful if you also want to use the AirPods with an Android or Windows device.
Connect AirPods to an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
- Turn on Bluetooth (Settings ▸ Bluetooth)
- Unlock your iPhone or iPad
- Open the case of the AirPods (Pro), remove the AirPods Max from the case
- Hold the AirPods next to your iPhone or iPad
- The docking panel will appear automatically
- Tap the ‘Connect’ option and then ‘Done’
The AirPods are now connected to your iDevice. You can view the status of your AirPods via the control panel by tapping the triangle with the circles in the music panel. You can also consult the battery status via the battery widget or by opening the charging case (more information).
When connecting, the AirPods are also linked to your iCloud account. This means that all devices linked to this account can also use the earphones without having to configure them manually. Open the case next to this device or take the Max out of the Smart Case, and a connection is made immediately.
Pair AirPods with an Apple Watch
The Apple Watch uses the iPhone’s configuration. Follow the steps above to establish the connection. If you only want to use the wireless earphones or headphones with the Watch, you will need to open the case or remove the headphones from the case next to the Apple Watch to establish the connection. You can read in detail here how exactly you can connect to the AirPods on an Apple Watch.
Pairing AirPods with a Mac
If you’ve already paired your AirPods with an iPhone or iPad, you can automatically use them on your Mac as well. Remove the AirPods from the case and click on the sound section in the control panel and choose the AirPods if they are not connected automatically. Do you still have MacOS Catalina or older? Then click on the sound icon in the menu bar and choose the AirPods. If you do not have this icon in the menu bar, you can activate it via ▸ System Preferences ▸ Sound ▸ check the ‘Show volume in menu bar’ option at the bottom.
If you purchased the AirPods and do not have an iPhone or iPad, you can connect the headphones to your Mac using the method below.
- Open ▸ System Preferences
- Navigate to ‘bluetooth’
- Activate the AirPods search mode
- The earphones appear in the list of Bluetooth devices
- Click ‘Pair’ behind the AirPods
Pair AirPods with iPhone, iPad or Mac without any required software
If you have an Apple device with older software than the conditions, you can simply connect the earphones via Bluetooth. For this it is important that you follow the correct step-by-step plan. We have explained exactly how to do this in this extensive manual.
Pairing AirPods with the Apple TV
- Open Settings
- Navigate to ‘Remotes and devices’
- Select ‘Bluetooth’
- Open ‘Bluetooth’
- Activate the AirPods search mode
- The earphones appear in the list of Bluetooth devices
- Select it and establish the connection
Link AirPods with other devices such as Android and Windows
You can also connect the AirPods to other devices that support Bluetooth via a simple Bluetooth connection. Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled on the device in question and activate search mode on the AirPods. Then you can select the headphones from the Bluetooth list and connect.
How to disconnect AirPods from an iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV
When you no longer use the wireless earphones, you must disconnect them from your devices. You can read in detail how to do this in these steps.