AirPods work with Windows 11, but the process is different from pairing with an iPhone or Mac

AirPods connect to Windows 11 through Bluetooth, the same way any wireless headphones would. Windows 11 treats them as a standard Bluetooth device, so you won't see the seamless pairing menu you get on Apple devices. Instead, you'll go through Windows' Bluetooth settings and manually enter a pairing code. The process takes about two minutes and works reliably once connected.

One thing to know upfront: AirPods don't automatically switch between your Windows device and your other Apple devices the way they do when you own multiple Apple products. Once you pair them with Windows 11, you'll need to manually switch them back to your iPhone or Mac by going into that device's Bluetooth settings. This is a limitation of how AirPods work with non-Apple operating systems, not a problem with Windows 11 itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light flashes white.
  • Open Windows 11 Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, and select "Add device" to find your AirPods in the list.
  • Windows will ask for a pairing code — enter 0000 when prompted, which is the standard code for AirPods.
  • Once paired, your AirPods will appear in the Bluetooth device list and connect automatically when you turn them on, as long as Bluetooth is enabled on your Windows 11 device.

Put your AirPods into pairing mode

Before Windows 11 can find your AirPods, they need to be in pairing mode. This tells them to broadcast their Bluetooth signal so nearby devices can detect them. On the back of the AirPods case, there's a small button. Press and hold it for about 15 seconds. You'll see the light on the front of the case start flashing white — that's your signal that pairing mode is active.

Keep the case nearby during this process. You don't need to open it or remove the AirPods themselves, just have the case within a few feet of your Windows 11 device. The pairing mode stays active for about 15 minutes, so you have time to move to your computer and start the pairing process without rushing.

Open Bluetooth settings in Windows 11

On your Windows 11 device, click the Start button in the bottom left corner and type "Bluetooth" into the search box. Select "Bluetooth and other devices" from the results. This opens the Bluetooth settings panel where Windows displays all available devices.

Alternatively, you can reach the same place by going to Settings (the gear icon), then selecting "Bluetooth & devices" from the left sidebar. Both routes lead to the same screen.

Add your AirPods as a new device

In the Bluetooth & devices settings, look for a button labeled "Add device" near the top of the window. Click it. Windows will open a small window titled "Add a device" and begin searching for Bluetooth devices in range. This scan usually takes 10 to 15 seconds.

Your AirPods should appear in the list with the name "AirPods" or "AirPods Pro" (depending on which model you own). Click on them to select them. Windows will then ask you to confirm the pairing.

Enter the pairing code when Windows asks

After you select your AirPods, Windows will display a window asking for a pairing code. This is a security step to make sure you're pairing with a device you actually own. For AirPods, the code is always 0000 (four zeros). Type this into the field and click "Next" or "Connect."

Windows will then complete the pairing process. You should see a notification confirming that your AirPods are now connected. The AirPods case light will stop flashing and return to its normal state.

Check that your AirPods appear in the device list

Once pairing is complete, go back to the Bluetooth & devices settings page. Your AirPods should now appear in the list of connected devices under a section labeled "Your devices" or "Connected devices." Next to the AirPods entry, you'll see a status indicator showing they're connected.

From this point forward, when you turn on your AirPods and Bluetooth is enabled on your Windows 11 device, they should connect automatically. You don't need to repeat the pairing process — Windows remembers them. If they don't connect automatically, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your Windows settings and that your AirPods are in range (typically within 30 feet).

Troubleshooting if your AirPods won't connect

If your AirPods don't appear in the device list after you click "Add device," try these steps in order. First, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your Windows 11 settings — it's easy to miss the toggle switch at the top of the Bluetooth & devices page. Second, put your AirPods back into pairing mode by holding the button on the case again for 15 seconds. Sometimes the pairing mode times out if the process takes longer than expected.

If Windows still doesn't find them, restart your AirPods by placing them in the case, closing the lid for 10 seconds, then opening it again. Then restart the pairing process from the beginning. If you've paired your AirPods with many devices, they may have reached their pairing limit — in that case, you can unpair them from an old device by going into that device's Bluetooth settings and selecting "Forget" or "Remove."

One more thing to check: some Windows 11 devices have Bluetooth hardware that doesn't work well with AirPods. This is rare, but if you've tried all the steps above and nothing works, your device's Bluetooth adapter may not be compatible. You can test this by trying to pair a different Bluetooth device (a phone, tablet, or speaker) with your Windows 11 computer. If that works, the issue is specific to AirPods. If nothing pairs, your Bluetooth hardware may need a driver update — go to Device Manager, find "Bluetooth," right-click it, and select "Update driver."

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my AirPods automatically switch between Windows and my iPhone?

No. AirPods only automatically switch between Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch). When you pair them with Windows 11, you lose that automatic switching. To use them with your iPhone again, you'll need to go into your iPhone's Bluetooth settings and select your AirPods from the list. Then to use them with Windows again, you'll do the same thing in Windows settings.

Can I use AirPods with Windows 11 for video calls?

Yes. Once paired, your AirPods will work with any app that uses Bluetooth audio — Zoom, Teams, Discord, Skype, and others. The microphone in your AirPods will also work for calls. Go to your app's audio settings and select your AirPods as both the speaker and microphone if the app gives you that option.

What if I forget my AirPods and want to pair them again?

You don't need to do anything special. Go back to Bluetooth & devices in Windows settings, find your AirPods in the list, and click "Connect." If they're not in the list, click "Add device" and repeat the pairing process — Windows will recognize them as the same AirPods you paired before.

Do I need to unpair my AirPods from my iPhone before pairing with Windows?

No. Your AirPods can be paired with multiple devices at once. You just can't use them with two devices simultaneously — only one device can play audio through them at a time. Pairing with Windows doesn't affect your iPhone pairing.

Why does Windows ask for a pairing code when my iPhone doesn't?

Apple devices have a special protocol that lets AirPods pair without a code. Windows uses the standard Bluetooth pairing process, which requires a code for security. The code for AirPods is always 0000, so you only need to enter it once during the initial pairing.