Connect AirPods Pro to an iPhone or iPad
To connect AirPods Pro to an iPhone or iPad, open the charging case near the device you want to pair. Within a few seconds, a setup screen appears on your device asking you to connect. Tap Connect, then follow the on-screen prompts to complete pairing. Your AirPods Pro are now ready to use.
If the setup screen does not appear, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and look for your AirPods Pro in the list of available devices. Tap the name to connect manually. If they still do not show up, hold the button on the back of the charging case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white — this resets the AirPods Pro and makes them discoverable again.
Once connected, your AirPods Pro automatically switch between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac if they are all signed into the same Apple account. You do not need to pair them again for each device.
Connect AirPods Pro to a Mac
Open the charging case near your Mac and wait for the setup screen to appear on your computer. Click Connect and follow the prompts. If no screen appears, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select System Settings, then click Bluetooth. Look for your AirPods Pro in the list and click Connect next to them.
On older Macs running earlier versions of macOS, the path is slightly different: click the Apple menu, select System Preferences, then click Sound. Your AirPods Pro should appear in the Output tab once they are paired.
If your AirPods Pro are already connected to an iPhone or iPad on the same Apple account, they may connect to your Mac automatically when you open the case nearby. You can switch between devices by opening Control Center on your Mac (click the icon in the top-right corner) and selecting your AirPods Pro from the Sound section.
Connect AirPods Pro to Android, Windows, or Other Devices
AirPods Pro work with Android phones and Windows computers, but the process is different because these devices do not have Apple's automatic pairing feature. Open the charging case, then hold the button on the back for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white. This puts your AirPods Pro into pairing mode.
On your Android phone or Windows computer, go to Bluetooth settings and look for your AirPods Pro in the list of available devices. Tap or click the name to connect. The pairing process takes a few seconds. Once connected, your AirPods Pro stay paired to that device until you manually disconnect them or pair them with something else.
Unlike iPhones and Macs, Android and Windows devices do not automatically switch your AirPods Pro between them. You will need to manually disconnect from one device and reconnect to another each time you want to switch.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhones, iPads, and Macs with the same Apple account, open the case near the device and tap Connect when the setup screen appears.
- If the setup screen does not appear, hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds to reset and make your AirPods Pro discoverable.
- On Android and Windows devices, you must manually hold the reset button and select your AirPods Pro from Bluetooth settings.
- AirPods Pro automatically switch between Apple devices on the same account, but you must manually switch them between Android or Windows devices.
- If your AirPods Pro do not appear in Bluetooth settings, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and the case is fully charged.
Troubleshooting When AirPods Pro Won't Connect
If your AirPods Pro do not appear in your device's Bluetooth list, the charging case battery may be low. Place the AirPods Pro back in the case and let them charge for at least 15 minutes. A low battery prevents pairing even if the AirPods Pro themselves have charge.
If they still do not show up after charging, reset them by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds. The light should flash amber, then white. Wait a few seconds and try pairing again. This clears any stuck connection and forces your AirPods Pro to start fresh.
On Apple devices, also try turning Bluetooth off and back on in Settings. Wait 10 seconds between turning it off and on again. If you are trying to connect to a Mac, restart your Mac and try pairing once more — sometimes a fresh start clears connection problems that settings alone cannot fix.
Switching AirPods Pro Between Devices
On iPhones, iPads, and Macs, switching is automatic if all devices are signed into the same Apple account. When you start playing audio on one device, your AirPods Pro disconnect from the others and connect to the one playing sound. You can also manually switch by opening Control Center (swipe down from the top-right on iPhone or iPad, or click the icon in the top-right on Mac) and tapping or clicking your AirPods Pro, then selecting the device you want to use.
On Android and Windows, you must disconnect manually. Open Bluetooth settings on the device your AirPods Pro are currently connected to, find your AirPods Pro in the list, and tap or click Disconnect or Forget. Then go to the device you want to use, open Bluetooth settings, and select your AirPods Pro from the available devices list.
What to Do If AirPods Pro Keep Disconnecting
If your AirPods Pro disconnect randomly or lose connection frequently, the issue is usually interference or distance. Move closer to your device and away from other electronics like microwaves, routers, or cordless phones. Bluetooth works best within about 30 feet of your device with a clear line of sight.
Another common cause is a low battery in the charging case. Even if your AirPods Pro have charge, they may disconnect if the case battery is nearly empty. Plug the case in and let it charge fully, then try using your AirPods Pro again.
If disconnections continue, reset your AirPods Pro by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds, then pair them again from scratch. This often fixes connection problems that persist after moving closer or charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect my AirPods Pro to multiple devices at the same time?
No, AirPods Pro can only be connected to one device at a time. On Apple devices with the same account, they automatically switch to whichever device is playing audio. On Android or Windows, you must manually disconnect and reconnect each time you want to switch.
Do I need to pair my AirPods Pro every time I use them?
No. Once paired, your AirPods Pro remember the connection. They reconnect automatically when you open the case near a device you have already paired them with. You only need to pair them once per device.
What does the light on the back of the AirPods Pro case mean?
A white light means your AirPods Pro are ready to pair or are already connected. An amber light means the battery is low. If the light flashes white, your AirPods Pro are in pairing mode. No light usually means the case battery is completely empty.
Why won't my AirPods Pro show up in Bluetooth settings?
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, the case is charged, and you are holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds to enter pairing mode. If they still do not appear, restart your device and try again. On some older devices, you may need to restart Bluetooth itself by turning it off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on.
Can I use AirPods Pro with my work computer if it is not an Apple device?
Yes. Hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds to put them in pairing mode, then select them from your Windows or Linux computer's Bluetooth settings. They work the same way as any other Bluetooth headphones, though you will not have access to Apple-specific features like automatic device switching.