How to connect airpods to windows

How to Connect AirPods to a Windows 10 Computer

AirPods are designed to seamlessly work with iPhones and other Apple devices. However, they are just like any other Bluetooth devices, so you can also connect to a Windows PC. If you need help in pairing these two, here’s our step-by-step guide on how to connect your AirPods to a Windows 10 computer and how to disconnect them as well.

How to Connect Your AirPods to a Windows 10 Computer

To connect your AirPods to a Windows 10 computer, put them in the case, open it, and press and hold the case’s button until the light starts flashing. Finally, go to Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and click Add Bluetooth or other devices.

Note: Make sure that the battery level of your AirPods isn’t too low. For best results, charge them until the battery level is above 20%. Check out our guide to find out how to check your AirPods battery level.

Note: First make sure that the slider under Bluetooth is turned on. Otherwise, you won’t be able to connect your AirPods to your computer.

Once you connect your AirPods to your Windows computer, it might be difficult to connect them to your other devices. If you want to make sure your AirPods automatically connect to your iPhone or other devices first, here’s how to disconnect them from your Windows computer:

How to Disconnect Your AirPods From a Windows 10 Computer

To disconnect your AirPods from a Windows 10 computer go to Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Then click your AirPods and select Remove device. Finally, click Yes to disconnect your AirPods from your Windows computer.

If you want to make it easier to connect your AirPods, check out our step-by-step guide on how to rename your AirPods.

How to Connect AirPods to Your Windows PC the Right Way

We show you the most effective ways to connect your AirPods to a Windows PC or laptop.

AirPods are designed to work seamlessly with other Apple devices. However, the same cannot be said when you try connecting your AirPods to a Windows laptop or PC.

The problem is, Windows has consistently dominated Apple’s macOS, amassing almost 75% of the Global desktop OS market share from 2013-2021. Given this backdrop, does it mean 75% of global PC users will miss out on AirPods’ features?

Thankfully, not! We’re here to show you some smart workarounds on how you can connect your AirPods to a Windows PC or laptop and get these two seemingly ‘incompatible’ devices to work together. Let’s dive in!

In This Article

How to Connect Your AirPods to a Windows PC

While connecting AirPods or AirPods Pro to a Windows PC requires a few additional steps (as compared to your other compatible iOS devices), it’s still fairly simple.

The good news is that, like any other true wireless earphones, AirPods use Bluetooth – meaning that they can connect to other non-Apple devices that have a Bluetooth module. This includes Android, Xbox, and PlayStation.

However, before we get to the details of how to connect AirPods to a Windows computer, it’s worth noting that not every Windows computer has Bluetooth, especially custom-built desktop PCs.

You can check if your PC has Bluetooth by right-clicking on Start > Device Manager and see if there’s an entry for Bluetooth. There, you should find a Bluetooth option listed under Network Connections. If not, it means your device doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth capabilities.

After confirming that your PC has Bluetooth with the latest driver, here’s how you can connect your AirPods or AirPods Pro to your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC:

Putting AirPods back on case

Enable AirPods’ pairing mode

Going to Windows Settings

Selecting ‘Devices’ icon

Adding Bluetooth devices

‘Add a device’ tab

Selecting your AirPods from the list.

Completing the connection.

Remember that some AirPods features might not work when you use them with a Microsoft laptop or a Windows PC. This includes features such as automatic in-ear detection, instant pairing, battery status display, gesture customization, and Siri.

How to Disconnect Your AirPods From Your Windows PC

Like any other Bluetooth device, you can easily disconnect your AirPods from other devices once you’re done using them. Here’s how you can disconnect your AirPods from a Windows PC:

Find your AirPods under the Audio device selection

Select ‘Remove device’ option.

Confirming device removal

What to Do When Your AirPods Won’t Connect to PC

AirPods aren’t perfect, even when you pair them with iPhones or other Apple devices. So it’s no surprise that there will be some connection issues when you use them with a Windows PC.

But fret not, we’ve rounded up the tried-and-true methods to troubleshoot connection issues between AirPods and Windows PCs.

Disconnect AirPods from Apple devices

When you open the lid on an AirPods case, nearby Apple devices can pick up the signal and connect to them. This will prevent your Windows PC from initiating a pairing process since Bluetooth pairing works on a first-come-first-serve basis.

That said, there’s no chance the manual pairing on Windows can beat Apple’s instant pairing speed.

If you have trouble pairing your AirPods to a Windows PC, try turning off the Bluetooth on all other nearby devices – especially other Apple devices. If you need the Bluetooth on those devices to be in ‘On’ mode, try forgetting your AirPods from them or simply resetting your AirPods.

Run the Windows troubleshooter

Windows’ troubleshooter is a built-in feature that can help you detect potential causes of your Bluetooth connectivity issues. If you’re unsure what causes your AirPods not to connect to Windows, this is your best chance at identifying the problem.

Here’s how you can run the Windows troubleshooter:

Opening Windows Start Menu

Going to Windows troubleshooter

Selecting Other toubleshooters

Running the troubleshooter for Windows Bluetooth

Windows Troubleshooter scanning for issues

Here’s an example of a successful Bluetooth troubleshooting dialog. Yours may be different depending on the issue.

An example of a successful Bluetooth troubleshoot dialog

Manual troubleshooting

Windows will likely be able to find any hardware or software-related problems that cause your AirPods to not connect properly to your PC.

But in case it doesn’t, here are several manual troubleshooting measures you can try:

When all else fails, you can always narrow down the issue by testing your AirPods with other devices.

If they work, then the problem lies with your PC or laptop. But if they don’t, there might be underlying issues with your AirPods. In that case, contact Apple support to see if you’re still under warranty and viable for a replacement.

Conclusion

By now, you should be listening to your jam or having an online meeting using AirPods with your Windows PC.

Although they work best with Apple devices, AirPods can connect to most Bluetooth-enabled devices – albeit with some features disabled.

Did you find significant issues when connecting your AirPods to a Windows PC? Or is there any step you think we missed? Let us know in the comments!

How to pair AirPods or AirPods Pro with Windows

Pairing AirPods or AirPods Pro with a PC may not be as utterly simple as with an iOS device, but it’s only marginally harder. You just connect the earbuds via Bluetooth—a straightforward, fast process in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Just follow our steps below and you’ll be off and running.

Do note, however, that as an Apple product, AirPods and AirPod Pros lose some functionality in Windows. They work well for listening to audio, but fall quite short of microphone quality you’d get on iOS or macOS. So while Apple’s earbuds can handle Zoom calls in a pinch, we’d steer clear of them as your main Windows headset.

How to pair AirPods or AirPods Pro with Windows 10

First, make sure your AirPods are fully charged with both earbuds in the case, and the lid is shut. Also confirm your Windows 10 PC is capable of running Bluetooth devices. (The overwhelming majority of modern laptops have Bluetooth built in, as do prebuilt desktop PCs from vendors like Dell and HP.) If your system lacks support, you can buy an inexpensive dongle like this TP-Link one Remove non-product link to add that feature.

Your AirPods should immediately become your default listening device. When you put them back into your case, Windows 10 will automatically revert to the last audio device you used.

Hold the button on the back of your AirPods or AirPods Pro to put them into pairing mode.

How to pair AirPods or AirPods Pro with Windows 11

Before pairing, your AirPods should be fully charged, with both earbuds in the case and the lid shut. Also verify that your Windows 11 computer supports Bluetooth connections. Most laptops have Bluetooth built in, as do desktop PCs purchased through companies like Dell or HP. If your PC can’t run Bluetooth devices, you can buy an inexpensive dongle (like this TP-Link model) to add the feature.

Your AirPods should now be your active listening device. You’ll see it as a new button at the top of the Bluetooth & devices screen; its status should be marked with a green dot and listed as Connected voice, music. You can put them back into the case to automatically disconnect them. Windows 11 will then automatically switch to the last audio device you used.

How to reconnect or disconnect AirPods with your PC (Windows 10)

Your AirPods should automatically start working with your PC once you put them back in your ears. If they don’t, you can connect them manually.

You can also use these same steps to disconnect your AirPods from your PC if you want to use them with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac you’ve previously paired them with. Just keep in mind that you’ll now need to manually connect your AirPods through the Bluetooth menus on those devices while your AirPods are still paired with your Windows PC.

Keep in mind that you might have to scroll down a bit in order to see the Audio section.

How to reconnect or disconnect AirPods with your PC (Windows 11)

Your AirPods should automatically reconnect to your Windows 11 PC after you pull them from your case. If they don’t, you can connect them manually.

Your AirPods should now work. To disconnect them from your PC, use these same steps. If you want to use your AirPods with a previously paired device, you may need to connect to it manually through its Bluetooth menu if automatic connection fails.

How to unpair your AirPods from your Windows 10 PC

Permanently unpairing your AirPods involves a similar series of steps as reconnecting them, but with a single difference.

How to unpair your AirPods from your Windows 11 PC

To remove your AirPods as a device, you’ll take similar steps as when reconnecting them.

How to Pair and Connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC

Connect Apple’s wireless headphones with Bluetooth

What to Know

This article explains how to pair and connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC, including how to perform the initial Bluetooth pairing and how to connect and select the AirPods later after you’ve used them with another device.

Do Apple AirPods Work With Windows 11 PC?

AirPods are designed to work seamlessly with iPhones and other Apple devices, but you can pair and connect AirPods to any Windows 11 PC with Bluetooth. Your AirPods can even remember your Windows 11 PC, your iPhone, and other devices as well, allowing you to switch between them whenever you want.

How Do I Connect My AirPods to My Windows 11 PC?

To connect your AirPods to your Windows 11 PC, you need to put the AirPods in pairing mode, enable Bluetooth on the PC, and then initiate the connection through the PC. Your AirPods will remember the PC from then on, allowing you to reconnect whenever you want.

Here’s how to connect your AirPods to a Windows 11 PC:

Right click the Windows icon on the taskbar.

Click Settings.

Click Bluetooth & devices.

Click the Bluetooth toggle if it isn’t already on.

Click + Add device.

Place the AirPods in their case, and open the case.

Press and hold the button on your AirPods case.

When the light on the case flashes white, release the button.

The light may be inside the case or on the front of the case depending on the version of AirPods you have.

Return to your Windows 11 PC, and click Bluetooth.

Wait for your PC to search for devices, then click your AirPods when they appear in the list.

Wait for the connection to be established, then click Done.

Your AirPods are now connected and ready to use.

How to Use AirPods With a Windows 11 PC

AirPods will automatically connect to your iPhone when you open the case in close proximity to your phone, and you’ll also get an automatic popup on your Mac asking you to connect if your Mac senses your AirPods. Using AirPods with a Windows 11 PC is a little more complicated, but it’s easy to reestablish a connection and use them with your PC whenever you want.

If you’ve been using your AirPods with another device, here’s how to use them with your Windows 11 PC again:

Take your AirPods out of the case, and place them near your Windows 11 PC.

Click the Speaker icon on the taskbar.

Click the > icon to the right of the volume control.

If the Bluetooth button is grayed out, it means Bluetooth has been turned off. you’ll need to click the Bluetooth button before clicking the > button.

Click Headphones (AirPods) in the list of devices.

When your AirPods are selected in this menu, it means they’re connected, ready to use, and set as the default audio source on your Windows 11 PC.

Select the Speaker icon in the taskbar and choose the default speakers to disable the headphones. To unpair your headphones from your PC, go to the Bluetooth settings, choose your Airpods, and select Disconnect.

Your AirPods might be going into power save mode when you pause audio playback. Open the Windows Device Manager, go to your AirPod’s Properties, and disable the power management feature.

If your AirPods won’t connect, it could be due to low battery, or there could be a problem with Windows 11 Bluetooth. If all else fails, reset your AirPods.

You can’t turn off AirPods. They go into power save mode when not in use. To conserve battery life, keep your headphones in the case when you’re done using them.

How to Connect AirPods to a Windows 10 PC

Use Bluetooth to pair Apple’s wireless headphones

What to Know

This article explains how to use Bluetooth to connect AirPods to a non-Apple computer plus explains what to do if syncing isn’t working.

How to Pair Your AirPods to Windows 10 Computers

Instructions in this article apply to all Apple AirPods and Windows PCs with wireless capabilities. You can also pair AirPods with Surface devices. The method for connecting Apple AirPods is the same process as adding any other Bluetooth speaker or headphones to a Windows computer:

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

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.

Select Devices in the Windows Settings.

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

Select Bluetooth in the Add a device window.

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.

Press the circle 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 sync button until the pairing is complete. If you encounter an error message, press the sync button on the charging case before you select the AirPods on the Bluetooth device list.

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, from laptops and traditional desktop computers running modern Windows 10. 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:

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

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

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

Open the Action Center and select All settings.

Select Devices in the Windows Settings.

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

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

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.

To connect your AirPods to a Mac computer, select your Mac’s Apple menu and open System Preferences. Select Bluetooth > Turn Bluetooth On. Place your AirPods in their case, open the lid, and tap the button on the AirPods case until the status light blinks. Select Connect.

For a Windows laptop, select Quick Settings, right-click Bluetooth, and select Go to Settings > Add Device. Open the AirPods case, press the button on the case until it flashes, select Bluetooth, and choose your laptop. On a Mac laptop, select System Preferences > Bluetooth. Open the AirPods case > Connect.

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.