How to Connect AirPods Pro: 5 Easy Methods for Apple and Android Devices

To connect AirPods Pro, place both earbuds in the open case, put the case in pairing mode, and select the AirPods on your device. On iPhone or iPad, an onscreen setup card is usually the quickest route. Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Android, and other Bluetooth devices have their own menus. The case gesture depends on the AirPods Pro generation, so check that before you start.

Before you pair: put AirPods Pro in pairing mode

Charge the case, place both earbuds inside, and open the lid. For AirPods Pro 1 or AirPods Pro 2, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about five seconds, or until the status light flashes white. For AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the open case until the light flashes white. A flashing white light means the AirPods are discoverable and ready to select. Apple documents the model-specific gestures in its AirPods pairing guide.

1. Connect AirPods Pro to an iPhone or iPad

1. Unlock the iPhone or iPad and turn on Bluetooth in Settings if it is off.
2. With the AirPods inside and the case open, hold it next to the device. Wait for the setup animation.
3. Tap Connect, follow any onscreen prompts, and tap Done when setup finishes.

If the setup card does not appear, leave the lid open and put the case into pairing mode using the gesture for your model. On the iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap AirPods Pro when they appear. This manual route also works when you need to pair with a different Apple device. See Apple’s iPhone and iPad connection instructions for the current setup flow.

2. Connect AirPods Pro to a Mac

If you already paired AirPods Pro with an iPhone signed in to your Apple Account, they may be available on a Mac signed in to that same account. Put the earbuds in your ears, open Control Center > Sound, and select AirPods Pro.

To pair manually, open the Apple menu, choose System Settings > Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is on. Put the AirPods into pairing mode, then click Connect beside AirPods Pro under Nearby Devices. If they connect but audio still comes from the Mac, return to Control Center > Sound and choose AirPods Pro as the output.

3. Connect AirPods Pro to an Apple Watch

On the watch, open Settings > Bluetooth. Put the AirPods in pairing mode and tap AirPods Pro when they appear in the Bluetooth list. If the earbuds were already set up with your iPhone and the watch uses the same Apple Account, they may already be available without a new pairing. Apple recommends keeping the watchOS software current for full compatibility.

4. Connect AirPods Pro to Apple TV

On Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K, open Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth. Put AirPods Pro in pairing mode, then select them under Headphones. If you do not see them, keep the case open nearby and wait for the white status light before checking the list again. This current Settings route replaces older instructions that use the remote’s Play button.

5. Connect AirPods Pro to Android or another Bluetooth device

1. On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen and touch and hold Bluetooth. Depending on the phone, you can also open Settings and find Bluetooth or Connections.
2. Turn Bluetooth on and tap Pair new device.
3. Open the AirPods case, put it into pairing mode, and wait for AirPods Pro to appear under available devices.
4. Tap AirPods Pro and accept any pairing prompt.

Other Bluetooth computers, TVs, and audio players follow the same general pattern: open Bluetooth settings, make the AirPods discoverable, then choose them from the device list. Apple says AirPods work as a Bluetooth headset on non-Apple devices, so you can listen and talk, but Siri is unavailable. Some AirPods features and automatic switching rely on Apple devices and the same Apple Account. See Google’s Android pairing steps and Apple’s Mac and non-Apple setup guide.

If AirPods Pro will not connect

• Check that the case has charge and both earbuds are seated in it. Keep the case close to the device while pairing.
• Confirm Bluetooth is on, and make sure the AirPods are not actively connected to another nearby device.
• Close the case lid for 15 seconds, open it, then try pairing again. If AirPods Pro are already listed in Bluetooth settings, disconnect or forget that entry and pair again.
• If the status light will not flash white, or the earbuds still do not appear, follow Apple’s official connection troubleshooting steps. Reset the AirPods only as a later step, using the instructions for your specific generation at Apple’s reset guide.