How to add apple airpods to windows 10

Connecting Apple AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max to your Windows laptop is as easy as pairing any other Bluetooth-enabled device. Once done, you can use your AirPods to listen to music as well as talk to people in online calls on your laptop. Here’s how to do that.

In case you don’t already know, you can pair and use your AirPods with any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as an iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Android phone. Your AirPods work just like any other Bluetooth earbuds.

To start the pairing process, launch Settings on your Windows 10 or 11 laptop by pressing Windows+i.

If you’re on Windows 10, then in Settings, navigate to Devices > Bluetooth & Other Devices. On Windows 11, select “Bluetooth & Devices” from the left sidebar.

In the pane on the right, turn on the “Bluetooth” toggle if it isn’t already. This activates Bluetooth on your laptop.

Then, at the top of your page, select “Add Bluetooth or Other Device” (Windows 10) or “Add Device” (Windows 11).

An “Add a Device” window will open. Here, choose “Bluetooth,” and your laptop will start looking for nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices.

To make your AirPods or AirPods Pro discoverable, put both AirPods in their charging case and keep the case’s lid open. On the back of the case, press and hold down the Setup button.

If you have AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button on the headphones for five seconds instead.

The light on your AirPods case will flash white, indicating the AirPods are ready to pair.

If you’re pairing an AirPods Max headset, the status light will flash white.

On your laptop’s “Add a Device” window, you’ll see your AirPods. Click on your AirPods.

Your laptop will pair with your AirPods and then display a success message. Close the “Add a Device” window by clicking “Done” at the bottom.

And that’s it. Your AirPods are now connected to your laptop, and you can use them to listen to the audio as well as talk on online calls.

Later, to disconnect or unpair your AirPods, use Windows’ Settings app as follows:

On Windows 10, head to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & Other Devices, select your AirPods, and choose “Disconnect” or “Remove Device.”

On Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Devices, click the three dots next to your AirPods, and choose “Disconnect” or “Remove Device.”

And that’s all there is to it. Enjoy!

RELATED: How to Pair the Apple AirPods Pro With Any Device

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Use Bluetooth to pair Apple's wireless headphones

Updated on November 20, 2022

What to Know

• Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or other devices > Bluetooth.
• Select your AirPods. If your AirPods aren’t showing up, open the lid of the charging case.
• Once the pairing process begins, press the setup button on the charging case until the process completes.

This article explains how to connect AirPods to a Windows 10 PC using Bluetooth.

How to Pair Your AirPods to Windows 10 Computers

The method for connecting Apple AirPods is the same as adding any other Bluetooth speaker or headphones to a Windows computer:

1. Select the Action Center icon in the bottom-right corner of the Windows taskbar to open Windows Action Center.

2. Select All settings in the Windows Action Center.

   While you have the Action Center open, check to make sure Bluetooth is enabled. The Bluetooth tile should be highlighted; if it’s not, select the tile to turn it on.

3. Select Devices in the Windows Settings.

4. Select the Bluetooth & other devices tab on the left side, then select Add Bluetooth or other devices.

5. Select Bluetooth in the Add a device window.

6. Your Apple AirPods should appear on the list as AirPods. Select AirPods to begin the pairing process.

   If your AirPods aren’t showing up, open the lid of their charging case.

7. Press the setup button on the rear of the Apple AirPod charging case while having the lid open. The charging case’s light should change from green to white.

   Continue firmly pressing the setup button until the pairing is complete. If you encounter an error message, press the setup button on the charging case before you select the AirPods on the Bluetooth device list.

    Apple

8. If paired correctly, you should see a "Your device is ready to go!" message. Select Done to close the message.

How Can AirPods Connect to a Windows PC?

Apple AirPods use Bluetooth to connect to any computer. Once connected, you can use AirPods to listen to audio, input audio via their built-in mic, and control audio volume or pause sound via tap controls.

How to Fix Windows 10 Apple AirPod Sync Problems

If your Apple AirPods stop working on your Windows PC, try these fixes:

• Disable Bluetooth on other devices. If you’ve paired your AirPods with your iPhone, it could interfere with the connection to your PC, so try temporarily turning off Bluetooth on other devices.
• Open the charging case lid. Apple AirPods connect to devices when the charging case’s cover is open and its light turns green. Try opening it for a few seconds before removing the AirPods and putting them in your ears.

If you're still having problems, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Open an app such as Spotify on your Windows 10 PC and begin playing some music.

2. Place your Apple AirPods back in their charging case and close the lid, then wait a few seconds.

   Seremin / Getty Images 

3. Open the Action Center and select All settings.

4. Select Devices in the Windows Settings.

5. Make sure your AirPods are on the list of paired devices.

6. Open the charging case’s lid, remove the AirPods, and place them in each ear.

    John Edelson / Getty Images

7. Select AirPods in the device list, then select Connect. The AirPods should connect, and the audio should being playing through them.

   If your Apple AirPods still won't play sound, open All settings > Devices, then select Remove Device under AirPods and repeat the pairing process.

FAQ

• How do I connect AirPods to a Mac?

  To connect your AirPods to a Mac, go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth and turn on Bluetooth. Place your AirPods in the case, open the lid, and tap the button on the AirPods case until the status light blinks. Select Connect.

• How do I connect AirPods to an Android?

  To connect AirPods to an Android device, go to Settings > Bluetooth and ensure Bluetooth is on. With the AirPods inside, open the charging case and press and hold the button on the case until it flashes. From the Android device, tap the AirPods from the available Bluetooth devices list.

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