How to Put AirPods in Pairing Mode and Connect Them to Any Device

To put AirPods in pairing mode, open the charging case and use the control for your model: most older earbuds use the setup button on the back, AirPods 4 and 5 and AirPods Pro 3 use a double tap on the front of the case, and AirPods Max use the listening mode button. A flashing white status light means the AirPods are ready to appear in a Bluetooth device list.

Once the light flashes white, select the AirPods from Bluetooth settings on your target device.

Identify the pairing control on your AirPods

Keep earbuds in the open case. Depending on the model, the status light is inside or on the front.

Pair AirPods with an iPhone or iPad

1. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on.
2. For AirPods earbuds, open the case with the AirPods inside and hold it close to the iPhone or iPad. For AirPods Max, remove them from the Smart Case and hold them nearby.
3. If the setup animation appears, tap Connect and follow the prompts. Keep the case open until setup finishes.

If no animation appears, use the model-specific control above until the status light flashes white. Then go to Settings > Bluetooth and select your AirPods from the device list.

For automatic connections across Apple devices, sign in to the same Apple Account on each one.

Pair AirPods with a Mac

If your AirPods are already set up with an iPhone and your Mac uses the same Apple Account, they may connect automatically. To pair manually, open System Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on. Put the AirPods in pairing mode using the right case gesture—or the listening mode button for AirPods Max—then click the AirPods name when it appears in the nearby devices list.

Pair AirPods with an Android phone

Open Settings and turn on Bluetooth. On many Android phones, the path is Settings > Connections > Bluetooth; wording can vary by manufacturer. Start pairing mode on the AirPods, then tap the AirPods name when it appears in the list. If Android asks to confirm pairing, accept the prompt.

On non-Apple devices, AirPods work as Bluetooth headphones with a microphone, but Siri is unavailable and some Apple-specific features may be limited.

Pair AirPods with a Windows PC

On Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, choose Add device, and select Bluetooth. Put the AirPods in pairing mode, then select them when Windows finds them and follow any on-screen confirmation.

On Windows 10, open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, choose Add Bluetooth or other device, then choose Bluetooth.

Use AirPods with another Bluetooth device

AirPods also work with TVs, tablets, and other devices that support Bluetooth audio. Open Bluetooth or audio settings, choose Add or Pair device, put AirPods in pairing mode, and select them when they appear. Some products use Bluetooth only for remotes or keyboards, so check the device maker’s manual if AirPods never show up.

If AirPods do not appear in the device list

• Check the light and gesture. The status light should flash white. Older cases need the rear setup button; AirPods 4 or 5 and AirPods Pro 3 need a double tap on the front; AirPods Max need the listening mode button.
• Keep the case open and charge the AirPods. Leave the earbuds inside the case and hold them close to the device. A low battery can interrupt pairing.
• Refresh Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth off and back on, then try discovery mode again.
• Remove an old saved entry. If the AirPods already appear in the device’s saved Bluetooth list but will not connect, forget or remove them there and pair them again.

For model-specific steps, see Apple’s guide to pairing AirPods with Apple devices and guide to pairing with non-Apple devices. Apple also has a connection troubleshooting guide. For Windows menu steps, see Microsoft’s Bluetooth pairing instructions.