Here’s How to Connect Your AirPods to a MacBook

Since their introduction back in 2016, AirPods have become a staple in Apple’s ecosystem, in no small part because of how well they work with all of Apple’s devices. While most AirPods users tend to use their earbuds with their iPhone while on the go, you can easily pair your AirPods to your Mac as well. There’s a reason it’s called the Apple ecosystem, after all. Here’s what to do.

How to pair AirPods to a MacBook

To connect your AirPods to your MacBook, first open up your Mac and go to System Settings, then click Bluetooth. (You can also access Bluetooth settings via Control Center in the top right of the menu bar, near the date and time. If Bluetooth isn’t already turned on your Mac, enable it.)

Next, pick up your AirPods case and open the lid. On the back of the case, you should see a button. Hold that button for a few seconds until it flashes white. (For AirPods Max, hold down the noise button until the light flashes white.) Go back to your Mac, and you should see your AirPods appear under Nearby Devices. Click on the Connect button next to your AirPods name.

Your MacBook might ask you to enable Siri and select your voice assistant settings. Once you do that, you’re done, and your AirPods are paired to your MacBook.

How to switch AirPods between Apple devices automatically

One cool benefit of the Apple ecosystem is the ability to easily switch which device your AirPods are connected to automatically, provided you have a compatible pair. First-generation AirPods can’t handle auto-switching, but all other models—including second and third-generation AirPods, first- and second-generation AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max—can do it.

If you’ve already paired your AirPods with your iPhone and are signed into your Apple account on both your iPhone and Mac, your AirPods should switch between all devices as you play media between them. So, when you’re using your AirPods with your iPhone but start up a video on your MacBook, your AirPods should automatically switch to your Mac seamlessly. However, if they don’t, you can always connect to them manually from the Bluetooth settings on the device you want to listen to.

If you run into any additional technical difficulties with your AirPods, you can always try a reset.