How to Connect your AirPods to a Mac

Like any Bluetooth earbuds, you can connect your AirPods to many devices, including your Mac. Depending on how you already use your AirPods, you can connect them to your Mac in one of two ways. Here's how to connect AirPods to Mac. 

How to connect AirPods to Mac if you don't use them on iPhone

If your AirPods aren't already connected to your iPhone, you can still connect them directly to your Mac.

1. Open the lid of the AirPods' charging case, but don't take the AirPods out.

2. Press and hold the button on the back of the case until the status light starts flashing.

3. On your Mac, go to the Apple menu and click "System Preferences."

4. Click "Bluetooth" in the System Preferences window.

5. Find the AirPods you want to connect to the Mac in the list of devices, and then click "Connect."

6. When the connection is done, the AirPods will be at the top of the Devices list and ready to use.

If you can't get your AirPods to connect, you can try a few things to fix the problem:

First, make sure your Mac has the latest updates. For the first generation of AirPods, you need macOS Sierra or later, and for the second generation, you need macOS 10.14.4 or later.

If the AirPods are on your list of Bluetooth devices but won't connect, remove them from the list and pair them with the Mac again. Find the AirPods in the list of Bluetooth devices and click the "x" to the right of them. Then start the process over again.

If nothing else works, you can reset your AirPods and try again. Press and hold the button on the back of the case for at least 15 seconds to reset your AirPods. When the status light starts flashing amber, let go of the button.

How to connect AirPods to Mac if you already use them on iPhone

If your iPhone and Mac use the same Apple ID, your AirPods should automatically connect to your Mac.

1. Open the case of your AirPods like you do when you connect them to your iPhone.

2. In the menu bar at the top of your Mac screen, click the Volume icon. It looks like a speaker.

3. Choose your AirPods in the "Output Device" section of this menu.

RELATED: How to connect AirPods to iPhone.

If this doesn't work, you need to make sure that a couple of settings are turned on. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar and then click "System Preferences" to open the System Preferences window.

Make sure that your iPhone and Mac are both signed in with the same Apple ID. Click "Apple ID" in the System Preferences window to make sure you're signed in with the same Apple ID as your iPhone.

Check to see if Handoff is on. Click "General" in the System Preferences window and make sure the box next to "Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices" is checked.

If the volume icon isn't in the menu bar, it needs to be turned on. Click "Sound" in the System preferences window, and then click the box next to "Show volume in menu bar.

So, that's all. You can now use your AirPods or AirPods Pro with your Mac. When your headphones are connected to your computer, click the "Options" button next to the list of headphones to change the settings.

Here, you can set up what happens when you double-tap, turn off Automatic Ear Detection, noise cancellation settings for AirPods Pro, and select which microphone to use.

Now that your AirPods are connected, take the earbuds out of the case and put them in your ears. When your Mac switches the audio output to your headphones, you'll hear the familiar connection chime.

If your AirPods are paired but not connected, you can switch to them by clicking on "Volume Control" in the menu bar and then selecting your earbuds.

From the Bluetooth menu in the menu bar, you can check on your AirPods' battery life and connection. Here, click the "Disconnect" button if you want to stop using AirPods on your Mac or switch to a different device.