How to Connect AirPods to MacBook

Do you want to hook up AirPods to MacBook?

It’s easy to link AirPods to Mac—you just need to follow a few simple steps:

1. Turn on Bluetooth.
2. Put your AirPods in their case, and press the setup button.
3. Connect your AirPods.

In this article, we’ll explain how to add AirPods to your MacBook for the first time, how to sync them if you’re already using them on your phone, and how to switch AirPods between devices.

If you need to connect another type of headphones, check out our article on how to pair Bluetooth headphones with a Mac.

A note from our experts:

 

Struggling to connect your AirPods to your Mac? Sometimes, even simple tasks like this can cause issues. Fortunately, the MacKeeper Premium Services team is on hand to help you 24/7. Contact our experts and follow their advice.

 

How to use MacKeeper’s Premium Services:

1. Download MacKeeper and follow the instructions on the screen to install it.
2. Open MacKeeper and choose Premium Services from the sidebar.
3. Click Chat Now.
4. Describe the issue and follow the instructions.

How to pair AirPods to Mac for the first time?

So, you’ve just bought some of the most aesthetic Apple products, a new pair of AirPods. But now, what do you do?

Our expert’s tip: 

 

You’ll need Bluetooth for these steps. If you’re having any trouble with connectivity, such as your MacBook Bluetooth not working, I suggest you look into those issues first.

First of all, make sure that your AirPods are in their case, with the lid open.

How to link AirPods to Mac for the first time:

1. Go to Apple menu > System Settings.
2. Choose Bluetooth from the sidebar, and make sure that Bluetooth is turned on—this will make your Mac discoverable. Press the button on the back of your AirPod case until the front light flashes white.
3. When your AirPods are listed under Nearby Devices, move your cursor over the entry and click the Connect button next to your AirPods.

Now that your AirPods are connected, you’ll want to ensure you have enough storage space on your MacBook. If you’re struggling to find extra space, MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup can help.

How to use MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup to clear junk files from your MacBook:

1. Open MacKeeper and choose Safe Cleanup.
2. Click Start Scan.
3. After the scan is complete, select the files you want to delete, and choose Clean Junk Files.

How to sync AirPods to MacBook if you're already using them on your iPhone?

Heads up from us: 

 

If your iPhone and MacBook use the same Apple ID account and are compatible with Apple’s Handoff feature, you may find that your MacBook automatically connects to your AirPods.

If it doesn’t, here’s how to connect AirPods to MacBook when you use them with your iPhone:

1. Click on the Control Center on the top menu bar of your Mac.
2. Choose the Sound section.
3. Select your AirPods from the list of audio output options.

Hint from our team: If your MacBook is having trouble recognizing your AirPods, make sure that your AirPod case is open.

How to switch AirPods between devices?

You can switch AirPods between devices by disconnecting them from one Mac before connecting them to another. It should only take a few seconds each time.

How to switch AirPods between devices:

1. Using the device where your AirPods are currently connected, open the Control Center and click on Bluetooth.
2. Look for your AirPods and click on them. This should disconnect them.
3. On your second device, follow the instructions for pairing AirPods for the first time—or, if you’ve already paired your AirPods to the second device, simply open the Control Center, click on Bluetooth, and click on your AirPods.

How to connect two AirPods to MacBook?

Although you can’t use your AirPods to connect to more than one device simultaneously, you can connect two sets of AirPods to a single Mac at the same time. In our experience, this process is straightforward and provides notable advantages. For instance, sharing audio from your Mac allows you and a friend to watch a movie together on a flight.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to connect multiple AirPods to your Mac:

1. Go to System Settings, then select Bluetooth.
2. Make sure the Bluetooth toggle is on.
3. Connect both sets of AirPods to your Mac.
4. Open Finder, go to Applications, then double-click on the Utilities folder.
5. Launch Audio MIDI Setup.
6. Click the + button and select Create Multi-Output Device.
7. Right-click on the Multi-Output Device option in the list and select Use This Device For Sound Output.
8. Check the boxes next to the AirPods sets you want to use.
9. Select one pair next to Master Device and tick Drift Correction next to the other.
10. Go to the Apple icon in the menu bar and click System Settings.
11. Choose Sound in the sidebar.
12. Under Output & Input, click the Output tab, and choose Multi-Output Device.

How to make your AirPods discoverable on computer?

The new-gen AirPods models make connecting your earbuds to your computer or phone remarkably simple. However, we understand you may still have some doubts, particularly if you’re unsure how to put AirPods in pairing mode or when your AirPods aren’t appearing in your list of Bluetooth devices.

Follow our tips to ensure your AirPods are discoverable on your Mac:

1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar and select System Settings.
2. Navigate the sidebar and click Bluetooth.
3. Make sure the Bluetooth toggle is on.
4. Look for your AirPods in the list of devices.
5. If you don’t see them, open the AirPods case, bring it closer to your computer, and press the button on the back (or double-tap the front for AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro 3).
6. For AirPods Max, hold down the listening mode button for 5 seconds.

How to ensure AirPods are compatible with MacBook?

To ensure your AirPods are compatible with your Mac, our team of experts recommends considering two key factors. As such, we advise checking the original release year of both your earbuds and your computer, as well as the macOS version each device supports.

For instance, AirPods 3, released in 2021, require a Mac running macOS Monterey (also introduced in 2021) or later to function properly.

We explain below how to confirm that your AirPods and MacBook are compatible:

1. Go to this Apple page to see which macOS version your AirPods model requires.
2. On your Mac, click the Apple icon in the menu bar.
3. Select About This Mac.
4. Check the macOS version.
5. If not compatible, update your macOS.
6. Go to System Settings and select General in the sidebar.
7. Choose Software Update, then click Upgrade now.

Conclusion

As you can see, it’s simple to link AirPods to Mac devices–whether you use a MacBook Air, Pro, iMac, or other Apple computer, you should be able to do it easily.

If you’ve followed all of the advice in this article and are still having trouble, take a look at our article about AirPods not connecting to Mac.

Once you’ve learned how to sync your AirPods to your MacBook following the MacKeeper’s Premium Services team instructions, it’s important to ensure that you have enough storage space available to enjoy media on a Mac that runs smoothly. Fortunately, MacKeeper’s Safe Cleanup can help by removing junk files safely and quickly.