Apple AirPods pair magically with other Apple devices, thanks to Apple's H1 chip -- or W1 chip in the case of the original AirPods -- but you can pair them with other devices via plain ol' Bluetooth nearly as easily. (Just not as magically because a non-Apple device won't know to pause your music, podcast or video when you take an AirPod out of your ear.) Show
It took you all of three seconds to pair your AirPods with your iPhone ($294 at Amazon) and the rest of your Apple devices. Pairing your Apple AirPods with your Windows 10 PC requires a few extra steps, but shouldn't take more than a minute. We'll walk you through pairing your AirPods with your PC and how to reconnect. This story is updated periodically. Pair AirPods with PCOn your PC, open the Settings app and choose Devices from the main menu. At the top of the Bluetooth & other devices page, first make sure that the toggle switch for Bluetooth is on. Next, click Add Bluetooth or other device at the top above the Bluetooth toggle switch. On the Add a device window, click Bluetooth. Put your AirPods in their case and open the lid. Press and hold the button on the back of the case until you see the status light between your two AirPods start pulsing white, and then let go. Your AirPods should show up in the Add a device window. Click to pair and connect. Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETReconnecting once pairedAfter making the initial connection between your Windows 10 PC and your AirPods, you'll be able to reconnect your AirPods and your PC for listening to music, watching YouTube, video conferencing and so on by heading back to the Bluetooth & other devices page in Settings. You'll see all of your paired audio devices listed under the Audio header. Select your AirPods from the list and click the Connect button. Read more: 11 tips and tricks for your Apple AirPods Looking for more AirPod tips and tricks? Check out the best AirPods tips, 11 awesome AirPods Pro tricks and learn how to clean your Apple AirPods.
Now playing: Watch this: 1 year with the AirPods Pro 10:47 Leif Johnson / IDG
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 (though Windows 11 added steps to connect Bluetooth devices). 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. Hopefully the hotly anticipated AirPods Pro 2 don’t suffer from the same limitations when they (presumably) come out later this year. 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 oneRemove 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 11Before 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. Paired devices appear as large buttons at the top of the Bluetooth & devices settings. If you have many paired devices, you can find all of them by clicking on View more devices.PCWorld How to unpair your AirPods from your Windows 10 PCPermanently 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 PCTo remove your AirPods as a device, you’ll take similar steps as when reconnecting them.
Why are my AirPods not connecting to my PC?Re-Pair the AirPods With Your Windows PC
If there's a minor Bluetooth glitch causing your AirPods not to connect to your PC, try unpairing your AirPods from your PC and then re-pairing them. This should fix most connection-related issues with your devices.
|