The basic process: pairing AirPods 4 to Windows or Mac

AirPods 4 connect to a PC the same way they connect to any other device — through Bluetooth. Put your AirPods in pairing mode, then tell your PC to find and remember them. The whole process takes about two minutes, and after that first time, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on near your PC.

The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac because the settings menus are in different places, but the underlying Bluetooth handshake is identical. Both systems will ask you to confirm the pairing, and both will then store the connection so you do not have to repeat the process.

Key Takeaways

  • Put AirPods 4 into pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white.
  • On Windows, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, and select "Add device" to find and pair your AirPods.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, and wait for your AirPods to appear in the list before clicking "Connect".
  • After the first pairing, your AirPods will reconnect automatically when you turn them on and your PC's Bluetooth is on.
  • If your AirPods do not appear in the pairing list, make sure they are in pairing mode and no other device is currently connected to them.

How to put AirPods 4 into pairing mode

Before your PC can see your AirPods, they need to be in pairing mode. This tells the AirPods to broadcast their Bluetooth signal and accept a connection from a new device. On AirPods 4, pairing mode is activated from the case, not the earbuds themselves.

Open the AirPods case and locate the small circular button on the back. Press and hold this button for about 15 seconds. You will see the LED light on the front of the case start to flash. When the light turns white and continues flashing, your AirPods are in pairing mode and ready to connect. This mode lasts for about 15 minutes, so you have time to get to your PC's Bluetooth settings without rushing.

Connecting on Windows 10 or Windows 11

Once your AirPods are flashing white, open the Windows Settings app. You can do this by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", or by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Settings from the menu.

In Settings, click on "Bluetooth & devices" in the left sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you will see a toggle switch at the top of the page. Below that, click the button labeled "Add device". Windows will begin searching for nearby Bluetooth devices. Your AirPods should appear in the list within a few seconds, usually labeled as "AirPods" or "AirPods 4".

Click on your AirPods in the list. Windows will confirm the pairing and show a message saying your AirPods are connected. You may also see a notification asking you to confirm the pairing on the AirPods themselves — if this happens, the pairing will complete automatically. Your AirPods are now ready to use with your PC.

Connecting on Mac

With your AirPods flashing white, open System Settings on your Mac. Click on "Bluetooth" in the sidebar. Your Mac will automatically begin scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices. Your AirPods should appear in the list within a few seconds.

Click the "Connect" button next to your AirPods. Mac will establish the connection and show your AirPods as "Connected" in the Bluetooth menu. Unlike Windows, Mac does not usually ask for a separate confirmation — the connection is complete as soon as you click Connect. You can now close System Settings and start using your AirPods with your PC.

What to do if your AirPods do not appear in the pairing list

If you have held the button for 15 seconds and the light is flashing white, but your AirPods still do not show up on your PC, the most common cause is that another device is currently connected to them. AirPods 4 can only pair with one device at a time, though they can be set up to work with multiple devices. If your AirPods are currently connected to your iPhone, iPad, or another Mac, they will not appear in the pairing list on your PC.

To fix this, disconnect your AirPods from the other device first. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, and tap the information icon next to them, then select "Forget This Device". On another Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, find your AirPods, click the information icon, and select "Forget Device". Once you have done this, put your AirPods back into pairing mode and try again on your PC.

If your AirPods still do not appear after you have forgotten them on other devices, try restarting your PC's Bluetooth. On Windows, go to Settings, click Bluetooth & devices, turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select "Turn Bluetooth Off", wait 10 seconds, then click it again and select "Turn Bluetooth On". Then put your AirPods back into pairing mode.

Reconnecting after the first time

After you have paired your AirPods 4 to your PC once, you do not need to repeat the pairing process. Your PC remembers the connection. The next time you turn on your AirPods near your PC, they will reconnect automatically — as long as your PC's Bluetooth is turned on.

If your AirPods do not reconnect automatically, check that Bluetooth is enabled on your PC. On Windows, open Settings and go to Bluetooth & devices to verify the toggle is on. On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and make sure it shows "Bluetooth: On". If Bluetooth is on but your AirPods still are not connecting, turn your AirPods off and back on, or move them closer to your PC.

Using your AirPods with multiple devices

AirPods 4 can be set up to work with multiple devices — your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and PC — but they can only be actively connected to one device at a time. When you turn on your AirPods, they will automatically connect to whichever device you used them with most recently.

If you want to switch your AirPods from your PC to another device, straightforward disconnect them from your PC and use them with the other device. On Windows, go to Settings, click Bluetooth & devices, find your AirPods, and click "Disconnect". On Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar, find your AirPods, and click "Disconnect". Your AirPods will then be available to connect to another device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to put my AirPods in pairing mode every time I connect to my PC?

No. Pairing mode is only needed the first time you connect to a new device. After that, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and your PC's Bluetooth is on. You only need pairing mode again if you forget the device on your PC or want to pair them with a completely different PC.

Can I use my AirPods 4 with both my Mac and my PC at the same time?

No, AirPods can only be actively connected to one device at a time. However, they can be set up to work with both devices. When you turn them on, they will connect to whichever device you used them with most recently. To switch between devices, disconnect them from one and they will be ready to connect to the other.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my PC?

Disconnections usually happen because another device is trying to connect to your AirPods, or because your PC's Bluetooth is unstable. Move your AirPods closer to your PC and away from other Bluetooth devices. If the problem continues, restart your PC's Bluetooth by turning it off and back on in Settings.

What if my AirPods are already paired to another device and I cannot access it?

You can still pair your AirPods to a new PC. Put them into pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. Your AirPods will enter pairing mode regardless of what device they were last connected to, and your PC will be able to find and pair with them.

Will my AirPods work with Windows 10, or do I need Windows 11?

AirPods 4 work with both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The pairing process is the same on both versions. Make sure your PC has Bluetooth hardware built in or connected via USB — most modern laptops do, but some older desktops may not.