Use AirPods with your Mac (2024)

macOS Sonoma 14

macOS Ventura 13

macOS Monterey 12

macOS Big Sur 11.0

macOS Catalina 10.15

macOS Mojave 10.14

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Table of Contents

macOS User Guide

  • Welcome
    • What’s in the menu bar?
    • Work on the desktop
    • Search with Spotlight
    • Quickly change settings
    • Use Siri
    • Get notifications
    • Open apps from the Dock
    • Organize your files in the Finder
    • Connect to the internet
    • Browse the web
    • Preview a file
    • Take a screenshot
    • Change your display’s brightness
    • Adjust the volume
    • Use trackpad and mouse gestures
    • Use Touch ID
    • Print documents
    • Keyboard shortcuts
    • Apps on your Mac
    • Open apps
    • Work with app windows
    • Use apps in full screen
    • Use apps in Split View
    • Use Stage Manager
    • Get apps from the App Store
    • Install and reinstall apps from the App Store
    • Install and uninstall other apps
    • Create and work with documents
    • Open documents
    • Mark up files
    • Combine files into a PDF
    • Organize files on your desktop
    • Organize files with folders
    • Tag files and folders
    • Back up files
    • Restore files
    • Change System Settings
    • Choose your desktop wallpaper
    • Add and customize widgets
    • Use a screen saver
    • Add a user or group
    • Add your email and other accounts
    • Automate tasks with Shortcuts
    • Create Memoji
    • Change your login picture
    • Change the system language
    • Make text and other items on the screen bigger
    • Set up a Focus to stay on task
    • Set up Screen Time for yourself
    • Use Dictation
    • Send emails
    • Send text messages
    • Make a FaceTime video call
    • Edit photos and videos
    • Use Live Text to interact with text in a photo
    • Start a Quick Note
    • Get directions
    • Work across devices using Continuity
    • Use iPhone as a webcam
    • Use iPhone with Desk View
    • Stream audio and video with AirPlay
    • Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad
    • Hand off between devices
    • Unlock your Mac with Apple Watch
    • Make and receive phone calls on your Mac
    • Sync music, books, and more between devices
    • Manage Apple ID settings
    • Set your Apple ID picture
    • What is iCloud?
    • What is iCloud+?
    • Store files in iCloud Drive
    • Share and collaborate on files and folders
    • Manage iCloud storage
    • Use iCloud Photos
    • What is Family Sharing?
    • Set up Family Sharing
    • Set up Screen Time for a child
    • Share purchases with your family
    • Watch and listen together with SharePlay
    • Share a Photo Library
    • Collaborate on projects
    • Find content shared with you
    • Find your family and friends
    • Play games with your friends
    • Play music
    • Listen to podcasts
    • Watch TV shows and movies
    • Read and listen to books
    • Read the news
    • Track stocks and the market
    • Apple Music
    • Apple TV+
    • Apple Arcade
    • Apple News+
    • Podcast shows and channels
    • Manage subscriptions in the App Store
    • View Apple family subscriptions
    • Guard your privacy
    • Use Mail Privacy Protection
    • Control access to your camera
    • Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites
    • Set up your Mac to be secure
    • Keep your data safe
    • Create a passkey
    • Understand passwords
    • Keep your Apple ID secure
    • Find a missing device
    • Get started with accessibility features
    • Vision
    • Hearing
    • Mobility
    • Speech
    • General
    • Connect an external display
    • Use the built-in camera
    • Connect a Bluetooth device
    • Use AirPods with your Mac
    • Optimize your Mac battery life
    • Optimize storage space
    • Burn CDs and DVDs
    • Control accessories in your home
    • Use Windows on your Mac
  • Resources for your Mac
  • Resources for your Apple devices
  • Copyright
Use AirPods with your Mac (1)

When your AirPods are nearby and ready to use with your Mac, you can use them to listen to music, use Siri, or handle phone calls. To learn more about AirPods, see the AirPods User Guide.

Pair your AirPods with your Mac

  1. With your AirPods in their case, open the lid.

  2. Press and hold either the setup button on the back of the case or the noise control button (on AirPods Max only) until the status light flashes white.

  3. On your Mac, choose Apple menuUse AirPods with your Mac (2)> System Settings, then click Bluetooth Use AirPods with your Mac (3) in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

    Open Bluetooth settings for me

    Tip: To make it easier to connect your AirPods, you can add the Bluetooth status icon or Sound control to the menu bar using Control Center settings.

  4. Hold the pointer over your AirPods in the list of devices on the right, then click Connect.

You can change your settings to connect your AirPods automatically or only when last connected to your Mac. See Change when your AirPods connect to your Mac.

Change AirPods settings on your Mac

  1. Wear your AirPods, and make sure they’re connected to your Mac.

  2. On your Mac, choose Apple menuUse AirPods with your Mac (4)> System Settings, then click the name of your AirPods in the sidebar. (You may need to scroll down.)

  3. Change the controls for your AirPods. (Options vary by model.)

    See Change settings for AirPods (1st or 2nd generation), Change settings for AirPods (3rd generation), Change settings for AirPods Pro (all generations), or Change audio settings for AirPods Max in the AirPods User Guide.

To learn more about your AirPods, including using Spatial Audio and changing noise control modes, see the AirPods User Guide.

See alsoSet up a Bluetooth audio device to work with MacApple Support article: Set up AirPods with your Mac and other Bluetooth devicesAirPods User GuideFaceTime User Guide

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Use AirPods with your Mac (2024)
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