Skip to main content

How to connect AirPods to your MacBook

Apple AirPods Pro Second Gen charging case with USB-C.
Caleb Denison / Digital Trends

Pairing your AirPods or AirPods Pro with a powerful MacBook is an experience like no other. Not only will you be able to enjoy features like Apple’s Spatial Audio, but you’ll be able to take advantage of multipoint connectivity between your computer and an iPhone or iPad. Of course, there’s also Apple’s intuitive dashboard controls, too, which you can assess right on your desktop screen. In order to dive into any of these capabilities though, you’ll need to get your Apple earbuds connected to your computer.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • a MacBook

  • a pair of AirPods

  • your AirPods charging case (optional)

Fortunately, this is one of the easiest processes in the world of ecosystem devices. We’re not going to leave you stranded either, which is why we’ve assembled this step-by-step guide to getting your Apple audio paired to your Apple computer.

For AirPods already paired with an iPhone

Using AirPods on a Mac that are already paired with an iPhone is easy. Just make sure both the iPhone and the Mac are signed in to iCloud using the same Apple ID. But if your iPhone gets used by multiple people or you need a different account for your Mac at work, this option may not be possible.

Step 1: Turn the AirPods on, and pop them into your ears.

Step 2: On your Mac, click the Control Center icon located on the Menu Bar — it’s next to the Spotlight Search icon on Big Sur or later, and next to the Wi-Fi icon on Catalina.

Step 3: Select the AirPods listed on the drop-down menu. They typically appear as [Your Name]’s AirPods. A chime plays when the AirPods connect.

No other setup is needed! If the AirPods do not show up in the Control Center menu, however, move on to the next section.

For brand-new AirPods on MacOS

The first time you connect to AirPods on your Mac, you may notice it has more steps, taking a bit more time to set up. Still, the steps are easy to follow and relatively foolproof.

Step 1: Open System Preferences by either clicking the Gear icon on the Dock or by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left, then clicking System Preferences.

Step 2: Click Bluetooth, and verify that it’s turned on.

Step 3: Move to the AirPods, and place them in the charging case. Make sure the lid remains open, as shown below.

Apple Air Pods 2nd generation with wireless charging case on a white background.
Apple

Step 4: On the back of the AirPod case, find the Setup button. Select and hold this button until the status LED flashes white. The AirPods are now in pairing mode.

Step 5: On the Mac, locate the Bluetooth menu. Under Devices, find the AirPods listed under Nearby Devices. Click the Connect button.

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is a freelance evergreen writer and occasional section coordinator, covering how to guides, best-of lists, and…
I’m not a fan of the MacBook notch, so I turned it into an activity hub
Files dashboard within the Boring Notch app

When Apple introduced its new design language for the MacBook Pro with a notch at the top, I was flabbergasted. I was watching the event on a Dell XPS 15’s OLED screen and kept wondering why Apple couldn’t cram a webcam in the thin bezels, just the way Dell handled it.  

A few months later, I upgraded to the M2 MacBook Air. And there it was. Doing nothing, except looking like a dark oddity. Apple drilled a hole in the iPhone’s screen and then built a whole functional system around it called the Dynamic Island. 

Read more
Asus Zenbook A14 vs Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4): close, but no cigar
Asus Zenbook A14 front angled view showing display and keyboard.

I recently gave the Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4) a rare perfect 5-star rating and called it the best 13-inch laptop you can buy today. And I stand by that review, because the MacBook Air 13 really is as close to perfect as you'll find in a small laptop.

But the Asus Zenbook A14 also impressed me, with its really light weight that avoids feeling flimsy, and its combination of a beautiful OLED display and excellent battery life. Is it good enough to dethrone the MacBook Air 13?
Specs and configurations

Read more
I’m intrigued by Apple’s weird keyboard idea that could change how you use your MacBook
Apple MacBook Air 13 M4 top down view showing keyboard and touchpad.

Ever since I tried my first mechanical keyboard many moons ago, I’ve been totally sold on clicky switches and chunky keycaps. I use a mechanical keyboard for both my Mac and my PC, and typing on Apple’s Magic Keyboard, as good as it is, just feels weird to me these days.

That means that when I saw that Apple has been granted a patent for a weird new keyboard concept, my ears immediately pricked up.

Read more