How to Connect AirPods to Your Mac?

AirPods are wireless earbuds designed by Apple that are compatible with all Apple devices that run on iOS 10 or later, watchOS 3 or later, and macOS Sierra or later. If you are a Mac user who has recently acquired these revolutionary wireless headphones and is having trouble connecting them to your Mac, look no further. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps you need to follow to connect AirPods to your Mac and enjoy the freedom of wireless audio.

Table of Contents

 

How to Connect AirPods to Your Mac?

Step 1

Make sure that your AirPods are fully charged and that their firmware is up to date.

You can check the battery level of your AirPods by placing them in their charging case and opening it near your Mac. A pop-up window will appear on your Mac screen that displays the battery level of both the AirPods and the charging case. To check the firmware version of your AirPods, connect them to your iPhone or iPad and navigate to Settings > General > About > AirPods. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

Step 2

On your Mac, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select System Preferences. Then, click on the Bluetooth icon.

Step 3

Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on by clicking on the slider next to “Bluetooth” in the left pane of the Bluetooth window.

Step 4

Open the AirPods case lid and press and hold the button on the back of the case until the light on the front of the case flashes white. This puts AirPods into pairing mode.

Step 5

On your Mac, click on the “Pair” button that appears next to your AirPods name in the list of devices in the Bluetooth window. If asked to confirm, click on “Pair” again.

Step 6

Congratulations, you’ve successfully connected your AirPods to your Mac! You can now enjoy the freedom of wireless audio and control your AirPods’ settings by clicking on the volume icon in the menu bar and selecting your AirPods from the list of available audio devices.

Bonus tip:

If you have multiple Apple devices (such as an iPhone, an iPad, and a Mac), you can easily switch between them while using your AirPods. Simply click on the volume icon in the menu bar on your Mac and select your AirPods from the list of available audio devices. Then, double-tap on either of your AirPods to activate Siri and say “Switch to my iPad” (or “Switch to my iPhone”). Your AirPods will automatically switch to the selected device.

How to connect two sets of AirPods to the same Mac?

If you have two sets of AirPods, you can connect them both to your Mac at the same time. This allows you to share audio with someone else, or even use both sets of AirPods for yourself. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Make sure both AirPods are fully charged and within range

Before anything else, ensure that both sets of AirPods are fully charged and within the range of your Mac. It will be frustrating to get halfway through the connection process for one of the AirPods to disconnect because it has insufficient power or is too far from the Mac.

Step 2: Connect the first set of AirPods to your Mac

The second pair of AirPods can only be connected after the first has successfully connected to your Mac. Follow the instructions below to connect your first set of AirPods:

  1. Open the AirPods case, and press and hold the button on the back of the case until the light on the front starts flashing white.
  2. On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth.
  3. Select your AirPods from the list of available devices. Click on Connect, and once the connection is established, close the window.

Step 3: Connect the second set of AirPods to your Mac

Now that you have successfully connected the first set of AirPods follow these additional steps to connect a second pair:

  1. Open the second set of AirPods’ cases and press the “button” button until the light starts flashing white.
  2. Head back to the Bluetooth settings and select Connect Other Devices
  3. Select the second set of AirPods to connect, and once the connection is established, exit the window.

pair 2 airpods bluetooth

Step 4: Audio Output Settings

Now that both sets of AirPods are connected, you need to adjust the audio output settings. Click the Bluetooth icon on your menu bar and select the first AirPods that you paired in Step 2 and choose “Use as Audio Device”. Do the same for the second set of AirPods and select “Use as Audio Device”.

pair 2 airpods bluetooth multi output

Step 5: Sound Output Setting

Now, you can go to the Apple menu and find the System Preferences. Then find the Sound output setting and select Multi-Output Device.

pair 2 airpods bluetooth multi output

Step 6: Enjoy Your Audio

Play an audio file or video on your Mac, and the audio should come through both sets of AirPods simultaneously. You can now share your device with someone, watch a movie, or hold a conference with no interference.

FAQ: Why won’t my AirPods connect to my Mac?

If your AirPods won’t connect to your Mac, there could be several reasons behind the issue. Here are some troubleshooting steps to help resolve the problem:

Check the Battery

Make sure the AirPods device has enough battery power. If the battery power is off, the device can’t be paired successfully.

Check Compatibility

Ensure that your Mac and macOS versions are compatible with your AirPods. For first-generation AirPods, you need macOS Sierra or later. For AirPods Pro and second-generation AirPods, you need macOS Mojave 10.14.4 or later.

Check Bluetooth

Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Mac. Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar or go to “System Preferences” > “Bluetooth” to check if it’s turned on.

Restart Devices

Restart both your Mac and AirPods. To restart your Mac, click the Apple menu and select “Restart.” For AirPods, place them back in their charging case, close the lid, wait for about 30 seconds, and then take them out again.

Reconnect AirPods

Disconnect your AirPods from your Mac and reconnect them. Go to “System Preferences” > “Bluetooth,” find your AirPods in the list of devices, click the “X” button to remove them, and then pair them again.

Reset AirPods

Reset your AirPods to their factory settings. Place both AirPods in the charging case, close the lid, and wait for 30 seconds. Open the lid, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber, then white. Release the button and try connecting your AirPods to your Mac again.

Update macOS

Make sure your Mac is running the latest version of macOS. Go to “System Preferences” > “Software Update” to check for updates.

Check Audio Settings

If your AirPods are connected but not playing sound, go to “System Preferences” > “Sound” > “Output,” and make sure your AirPods are selected as the output device.

Interference

Keep your Mac and AirPods away from other electronic devices or Wi-Fi routers that may cause interference with the Bluetooth connection.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, you may need to contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Conclusion:

Connecting AirPods to your Mac is a straightforward process that can be done in a few easy steps. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can enjoy the freedom of wireless audio and conveniently switch between multiple Apple devices while using your AirPods. Don’t let the wires hold you back. Switch to AirPods and embrace the future of wireless sound.

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