Apple AirPods are some of the most popular wireless earbuds on the market. Thanks to sophisticated, stylish design, high-quality sound, effortless fit, and attainable pricing, AirPods remain a top choice for Apple and Android users alike. Not surprisingly, AirPods are Apple’s most successful accessory, epitomizing performance and convenience in an on-the-go earbud. But shopping for your first pair of AirPods also means learning how to connect them when the time comes. This guide will teach you how to connect AirPods to any device via Bluetooth.
Latest AirPods (3rd Gen)
The standard edition of Apple’s most universal accessory, AirPods, is currently in its third generation. Released in October 2021, third-gen AirPods received a top-to-bottom reassessment, leading to several key improvements since the wireless earbuds’s initial debut in 2016.
Physically, the current AirPods more closely resemble AirPod Pros, with a shorter stem and angled, downward-facing buds. Apple went ahead and improved durability with IPX4 water/sweat resistance. It also upped continuous listening time by approximately one hour, and greatly enhanced the overall sound quality.
Third-gen AirPods deliver spatial audio with dynamic head tracking for a fully immersive, three-dimensional listening experience. Additional audio upgrades include custom re-designed drivers and amplifiers to maximize output while retaining as small a form as possible.
Perhaps most impressive, though, is Apple’s Adaptive EQ feature, which custom-tunes whatever you’re hearing to the shape of your ear. The result is a more defined and balanced mix of low, middle, and high frequencies for exceptional clarity, bass response, and fun factor.
How to Connect AirPods to an iPhone
Frequently paired with an iPhone, these wireless earbuds minimize any hassle associated with on-the-go calls and entertainment. Luckily, setting up AirPods with an iPhone for the first time is relatively simple. If you do run into any issues, there are a finite number of potential errors and fixes (briefly covered later in the article), so even then, AirPods are reasonably convenient as far as tech goes.
- Make sure your iPhone is updated with the latest software. Go to Settings > General > Software Update to verify.
- Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Bluetooth, and check that the slider is green (on).
- Have your AirPods nearby, but keep them in their case with the lid closed. Unlock your iPhone and navigate to the home screen.
- Open the lid on your AirPods case next to your phone. When prompted, hit the “Connect” button on your iPhone.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to set up and pair your AirPods to an iPhone. When finished, tap “Done.”
How to Connect AirPods to an Android
The great news is that AirPods aren’t just exclusively compatible with Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, or MacBooks. They’re still a basic Bluetooth accessory, so you can pair AirPods with any non-Apple device — like an Android phone. Proprietary Apple features like Siri won’t be available. Although, you’ll still be able to make calls and listen to music as you would with any other wireless earbud for mobile. As strange of a duo as it might seem, AirPods and Android phones can cooperate quite well.
- On an Android, navigate to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth, or a similar variation thereof, and make sure Bluetooth is enabled.
- Open the lid on your AirPods charging case, ensuring that both earbuds are left inside.
- Hold the setup button on the back of the case until the LED indicator light on the case’s front panel begins flashing white.
- Your AirPods will show up on the list of new Bluetooth peripherals. Select them and tap “Pair” to connect them to your Android device.
How to Connect AirPods to a Mac
Connecting AirPods to a MacBook is easy if you have the latest hardware or manually keep your operating system updated on older machines. Third-generation AirPods require Mac OS Monterey (version 12) or later, while second-gen AirPods require Mojave 10.4.4 or later.
Certain professional users may run into hiccups here. There’s a strong case against frequently updating to new desktop operating systems — particularly for professionals who rely on potentially outdated third-party software that’s otherwise difficult to upgrade or replace. You won’t be able to pair third-gen AirPods with your Mac computer if you’re running anything older than Monterey. Although, you can still pair them to your mobile device. Running Mac OS Monterey or later allows you to connect third-generation AirPods to your Mac laptop or desktop with no problems.
There’s a good chance your AirPods are automatically synced with your computer if you use the same iCloud login across devices. Look for your AirPods in the computer’s dropdown Bluetooth or Volume Control menus. If you don’t find them, you can still connect them manually:
- Make sure your Mac’s Bluetooth is on from the following path: Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth.
- With both AirPods in their case, open the lid and hold the setup button until the white LED starts to flash.
- From your Mac’s Bluetooth menu, choose AirPods from the Nearby Devices list and hit “Connect.”
How to Connect AirPods to a PC
Connecting AirPods to a PC is similar to setting them up on a Mac computer. While the majority of off-the-shelf Windows laptops and desktops have Bluetooth connectivity, certain custom builds ship without Bluetooth (and in many cases, Wi-Fi) unless specifically requested. Assuming your machine is Bluetooth-capable, consult the following steps to connect AirPods to a PC.
- From the Start menu or Windows key, choose Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- With the AirPods case in hand and the earbuds put away, open the lid and hold the setup button until the LED flashes white.
- Click “Add Bluetooth or other device” from Windows settings, and select device type (Bluetooth).
- Give your PC a moment to recognize your AirPods, and choose them on the computer to establish a connection.
Connecting AirPods: Frequently Asked Questions
First, verify that the AirPods themselves are charged. Double check that Bluetooth on your device is operating. You may need to select AirPods as a sound source on your device in some cases as well. Also, on Apple devices, make sure your iOS or Mac OS software is up-to-date and compatible with your AirPods.
When you press and hold the setup button on an AirPods charging case, the status light on the front of the case will begin flashing white, indicating that they’re ready to pair. You should follow the appropriate steps to pair them to your device. If you’re still having trouble, you may need to reset your AirPods, or you may want to consult your device’s manual for further tips on Bluetooth pairing and accessories.
The three primary lights on the AirPods charging case are green, amber, and white. A solid green light means the case is fully charged (when AirPods are currently in use), or both the case and AirPods are fully charged (when AirPods are stored). An amber light tells us that the case and/or AirPods aren’t fully charged, and will appear when connected to a charger until they’re juiced. A flashing amber light usually indicates some sort of error, in which case user intervention is required to re-pair or reset the AirPods. Finally, a white flashing light on the front of the case means the AirPods are ready to pair with a device.
You should start by diving into the Bluetooth settings on your device and removing the AirPods as a recognized peripheral. From here, place the AirPods in their case, and close the lid for 30-60 seconds before opening it again. Hold the setup button on the back of the case for 10-15 seconds, or until the LED indicator begins flashing white. Follow the appropriate steps to re-pair your AirPods to the device.
Conclusion
Third-generation AirPods offer peak performance in a format that’s compatible across devices and platforms. Though it may seem unconventional to a lot of tech enthusiasts out there, don’t be afraid to mix and match Apple AirPods with Android mobile devices or Windows PCs; the integration is there for everyone to enjoy. Best of all, set-up is minimal and just like connecting any standard Bluetooth peripheral, so you won’t be fighting drivers or additional downloads to make the pairing possible. In just a few short steps, you can connect AirPods to just about any device.
Featured image by Sophia Stark on Unsplash
