Set up AirPods with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices (2024)

If you're using AirPods (2nd generation),make sure that your Mac has macOS Mojave 10.14.4or later. AirPods Pro (1st generation)require macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or later.AirPods (3rd generation)require macOS Monterey or later.AirPods Pro (2nd generation)require the latest version ofmacOS.

If you set up your AirPods with your iPhone and your Mac is signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID, your AirPodsmight be ready to use with your Mac. Place your AirPods in your ears and clickControl Center in the menu bar. Click Bluetooth, thenchoose your AirPods from the list.

If your AirPods don't appearinControl Center¹, pair your AirPods with your Mac:

1. On your Mac, choose SystemSettingsfrom the Apple menu , then click Bluetooth.
2. Make sure that Bluetooth is on.
   
3. Put both AirPods in the charging caseand open the lid.
4. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.
5. Click Connect next to your AirPods in the Nearby Devices list.
   

If sound still plays from your Mac speakers, clickControl Center in the menu bar and make sure that yourAirPods are selected as the output device.

You can useAirPods as a Bluetooth headset with a non-Apple device. You can't use Siri, but you can listen and talk. To set up your AirPodswith an Android phone or other non-Apple device,²follow these steps:

1. On your non-Apple device, go to the settings for Bluetooth and make sure that Bluetooth is on.³If you have an Android device, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth.
2. With yourAirPods in the charging case, open the lid.
3. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white.
4. When yourAirPods appear in the list of Bluetooth devices, select them.
   

YourAirPods (2nd and 3rdgeneration)and yourAirPodsPro (1st and 2nd generation)can switch automatically between your Mac with macOS Big Suror later, iPhone with iOS 14 or later, and iPad with iPadOS 14 or later. Your devicesneed to be signed in with the same Apple ID usingtwo-factor authentication. For example, while listening to music on your Mac, you answer a call on your iPhone. Your AirPods automatically switch from the music on your Mac to the phone call on your iPhone.

In some situations, a notification about your AirPods appearson the screen of your Mac. When you hold the pointer over the notification, a Connect button appears. Click Connect to confirm that you want your AirPods to switch toyour Mac or stay with your Mac.

If you want to turn off automatic switching for your Mac, open Bluetooth preferences on your Macwhile your AirPods arein your ears. Click the Options buttonnext to your AirPods in the list of devices. Click Connect to This Mac, and then choose When Last Connected to This Mac. To turn this feature on again, choose Automatically.

Sound should not automatically switch from one device to another if you're in a conversation, like a phone call, a FaceTime call, or a video conference.

Learn what to do if you can't set up orconnectyourAirPods.

1. YourAirPods Pro (2nd generation)can connect automatically with your Mac that uses macOS Venturaor later.Your AirPods (3rd generation)can connect automatically with your Mac that usesmacOS Monterey or later.Your AirPods Pro can connect automatically with your Mac that usesmacOS Catalina 10.15.1 or later. Your AirPods (2nd generation)can connect automatically with your Mac that usesmacOS Mojave 10.14.4 or later. Your AirPods (1st generation)can connect automatically with your Mac that usesmacOS Sierra or later.
2. The features of yourAirPods might be limited, depending on the Bluetooth device that they're connected to.
3. If you can't find the Bluetooth settings for your device, check the user guide.