How to Put AirPods in Pairing Mode: A Model-by-Model Guide

To put AirPods in pairing mode, open the charging case with both earbuds inside and use the gesture for your model: hold the setup button on older cases, double-tap the front of newer cases, or hold the listening mode button on AirPods Max. Wait for the status light to flash white, then select the AirPods in your device’s Bluetooth settings.

With an iPhone or iPad, you may be able to pair without using a manual gesture. Open the case near the unlocked device and follow the setup card if it appears. Use the steps below if the card does not show up or you are pairing with a Mac, Android phone, Windows PC, or other Bluetooth device.

Find the pairing control for your AirPods

Apple’s current instructions depend on the model:

A flashing white status light means your AirPods are discoverable. Older case models use a button on the back; the newer case models listed above use a double-tap on the front. Don’t rely on a green light to confirm pairing mode.

Pair AirPods with an iPhone or iPad

1. Unlock the iPhone or iPad, go to the Home Screen, and make sure Bluetooth is on.
2. For AirPods or AirPods Pro, open the case with both earbuds inside and hold it near the device. Tap Connect on the setup animation and follow the prompts.
3. For AirPods Max, remove them from the Smart Case and hold them near the iPhone or iPad within 60 seconds. Follow the setup card if it appears.
4. If no card appears, open Settings > Bluetooth, activate pairing mode using the table above, and tap the AirPods name when it appears.

After first-time setup, AirPods and AirPods Pro can be available on supported Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account. If automatic setup is unavailable, manual Bluetooth pairing works instead.

Connect AirPods to a Mac

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.
2. Open the case with the earbuds inside and keep it near the Mac. Use the correct pairing gesture from the table; AirPods Max use the listening mode button.
3. When the AirPods appear under Nearby Devices, click Connect.

AirPods already set up with an iPhone on the same Apple Account may be available automatically. If audio still plays from the Mac speakers, choose the AirPods in Control Center’s sound options.

Pair with Android or Windows

On Android, turn on Bluetooth in Settings, choose Pair new device (or the equivalent option on your phone), and put the AirPods in pairing mode. Tap their name when it appears in the available devices list. Menu labels vary by Android manufacturer.

On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices, switch Bluetooth on, then choose Add device > Bluetooth. On Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, choose Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth, and select the AirPods when they appear.

AirPods work as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices for listening and calls. Siri is not available when they are paired with a non-Apple device, and Apple-specific setup features may differ.

Pairing AirPods Max

AirPods Max use a control on the headphones rather than a charging-case button. For manual pairing, press and hold the listening mode button for about five seconds. When the status light flashes white, choose AirPods Max in Bluetooth settings. With an iPhone or iPad, taking them out of the Smart Case and holding them nearby may bring up the automatic setup card.

If your AirPods do not appear

• Check that Bluetooth is on and keep the AirPods close to the device.
• Make sure earbuds are in the open case, then repeat the correct gesture and wait for the white flashing light.
• If they connect to another nearby device, disconnect them there and try again.
• Remove an outdated AirPods entry from the device’s Bluetooth list, then pair again.
• If pairing still fails, follow Apple’s model-specific reset steps. Pairing mode is different from a factory reset; do not hold controls longer than the pairing step requires.

If the AirPods were previously owned, the former owner may need to remove them from their Apple Account before all Apple setup features work. See Apple’s AirPods pairing guide, its instructions for pairing with a non-Apple device, the Apple Mac pairing instructions, the AirPods reset guide, Google Android Help, and Microsoft’s Windows pairing instructions for current steps.