AirPods Pro connect to PCs the same way they connect to iPhones — through Bluetooth — but the pairing process is slightly different on Windows and Mac

Your AirPods Pro are Bluetooth devices, which means your computer needs to find them and create a connection before you can use them. On a Mac, this happens through System Settings. On Windows, it happens through Settings. The steps are straightforward, but the location of the buttons differs between the two systems, and you'll need to put your AirPods into pairing mode first.

If your AirPods Pro have never been connected to your computer before, you'll go through a pairing process once. After that, they'll reconnect automatically when you turn them on and your computer is nearby — as long as Bluetooth is on.

Key Takeaways

  • Put your AirPods Pro into pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white.
  • On Mac, open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and select your AirPods Pro from the list of available devices.
  • On Windows, open Settings, select Bluetooth & devices, and click "Add device," then choose your AirPods Pro from the list.
  • After the first pairing, your AirPods Pro will reconnect automatically when Bluetooth is on and they're in range.
  • If your AirPods don't appear in the list, make sure Bluetooth is on, the case is open, and the pairing button light is flashing white.

How to put AirPods Pro into pairing mode

Before your computer can find your AirPods Pro, you need to tell them to broadcast their presence. This is called pairing mode. Open the case of your AirPods Pro and look at the small button on the back of the case — not on the earbuds themselves, but on the outside of the charging case.

Press and hold that button for about 15 seconds. You'll see the light on the front of the case start to flash. At first it will flash amber (orange), then it will flash white. When it's flashing white, your AirPods Pro are in pairing mode and ready to be found by your computer. Leave the case open during this process.

Pairing mode lasts for about 15 minutes, so you have time to walk to your computer and start the connection. If the light stops flashing and goes solid amber, hold the button again for another 15 seconds.

Connecting AirPods Pro to a Mac

On your Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" if you're using an older version of macOS). On the left side of the window, look for "Bluetooth" and click it.

Your Mac will start searching for Bluetooth devices. When your AirPods Pro appear in the list on the right side of the window, click them once. A dialog box will appear asking you to confirm the connection. Click "Connect" or "Pair" (the exact wording depends on your macOS version).

Your Mac will show a checkmark next to your AirPods Pro once they're connected. You should also hear a chime through the AirPods themselves. At this point, any sound your Mac produces — music, videos, notifications — will play through your AirPods Pro instead of your computer's speakers.

Connecting AirPods Pro to a Windows PC

On Windows, click the Start button and open "Settings" (you can also press the Windows key and type "Settings"). In the Settings window, select "Bluetooth & devices" from the left menu.

At the top of the Bluetooth & devices page, make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you'll see a toggle switch. Below that, click the button that says "Add device" or "+ Add device." A window will open showing available Bluetooth devices.

Look for your AirPods Pro in the list and click them. Windows will attempt to pair with them. You may see a prompt asking for a PIN code, but AirPods Pro don't require one — just click "Connect" or "Done" to proceed. Once connected, your AirPods Pro will appear in the "Your devices" section of the Bluetooth & devices page.

What to do if your AirPods Pro don't appear in the device list

If you've held the pairing button for 15 seconds and the light is flashing white, but your AirPods Pro still don't show up in your computer's Bluetooth list, start with the basics. Make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on in your computer's settings — it's easy to miss. On Mac, check the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner. On Windows, check the toggle in Settings.

Next, make sure the AirPods case is open. Some users find that closing the case stops the pairing broadcast. Also check that you're holding the button on the case itself, not on the earbuds — the button on the earbuds does something different. Hold it for the full 15 seconds and watch for the white flash.

If your AirPods Pro have been paired with another device recently (like your iPhone), they might be trying to connect to that device instead. Turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone or move it out of range, then try pairing with your computer again. You can also forget the AirPods from your iPhone's Bluetooth settings and start fresh.

Switching between devices after the first connection

Once your AirPods Pro are paired with your Mac or Windows PC, they'll remember that pairing. The next time you turn on your AirPods and your computer is nearby with Bluetooth on, they'll connect automatically — you won't need to go through the pairing process again.

If you use your AirPods Pro with multiple devices (your phone, tablet, and computer), they'll try to connect to whichever device they were last used with. To switch to your computer, open your computer's Bluetooth settings and select your AirPods Pro from the list of paired devices. On Mac, you can also click the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner and select your AirPods Pro from the menu.

If you want to unpair your AirPods Pro from your computer entirely, go to Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods Pro in the list of paired devices, and select "Remove," "Forget," or "Unpair" (the exact wording varies by system). You'll need to go through the pairing process again if you want to reconnect them later.

Audio quality and microphone use on your computer

Once connected, your AirPods Pro will work as both speakers and a microphone on your computer. When you're on a video call or recording audio, your computer should automatically detect the AirPods microphone and use it. You can check this in your computer's audio settings — on Mac, go to System Settings > Sound, and on Windows, go to Settings > Sound.

The audio quality you get depends on what you're doing. For music and videos, AirPods Pro will sound the same as they do on your phone. For video calls, the microphone quality is good but not perfect — it's designed for phone calls and casual video chats, not professional recording. If you're doing serious audio work, a dedicated microphone will give you better results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my AirPods Pro separately for Mac and Windows?

Yes. If you use both a Mac and a Windows PC, you'll need to pair your AirPods Pro to each one separately. They'll remember both pairings, but you'll need to go through the pairing process once for each computer. After that, they'll reconnect automatically when you switch between them.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from my computer?

AirPods Pro prioritize connecting to Apple devices. If your iPhone or iPad is nearby and turned on, your AirPods might drop the connection to your computer and reconnect to your phone instead. Turn off Bluetooth on your other Apple devices or move them out of range. Also check that your computer's Bluetooth is still on — sometimes it turns off automatically after a period of inactivity.

Can I use AirPods Pro with both ears on my computer, or just one?

You can use both earbuds together on your computer just like you do on your phone. If you want to use only one earbud, you can take the other one out, but your computer will still show both as connected. There's no setting to disable one earbud on Windows or Mac the way there is on iPhone.

Will the noise cancellation and transparency mode work on my computer?

The noise cancellation and transparency mode features work on your computer, but you control them through your AirPods themselves — by tapping or holding the stem — not through your computer's settings. The controls work the same way they do on your phone.

What if I forgot which computer my AirPods Pro are paired with?

Your AirPods Pro don't store a list of paired devices the way your phone does. To see which computers they're paired with, you'd need to check the Bluetooth settings on each computer. If you want to remove a pairing, go to that computer's Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods Pro, and select "Forget" or "Remove."