Although Apple’s AirPods are primarily created for use with Apple products, they are not limited to those devices.
You can actually connect your AirPods to a Windows PC or an Android device. While the setup isn’t as straightforward as pairing with an iPhone or Mac, it’s still relatively easy.
Here’s how to connect your AirPods to a Windows PC or Android device.
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AirPods and an Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How to connect AirPods to a PC
- Place the AirPods back into their charging case, ensuring they’re sufficiently charged.
- Open the charging case, but keep the AirPods inside.
- Press and hold the circular button on the back of the charging case for a few seconds until the light inside starts blinking white.
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The circular button on the back of the AirPod case (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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- Next, access the Bluetooth settings on your PC by clicking the Bluetooth icon located in the bottom right of the taskbar or search for “Bluetooth” in the taskbar and select Bluetooth and other device settings.
- Click “Add Bluetooth or other devices” at the top of the window.
- On the “Add a device” page, select the Bluetooth option.
Bluetooth and device settings on a PC (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- From the list of discoverable Bluetooth devices, select the AirPods option.
- After a brief wait of about 30 seconds, you should see a connection confirmation screen indicating that your AirPods and PC are now paired.
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Troubleshooting a failed connection
When you take your AirPods from their charging case, they should automatically connect to your PC. If they fail to connect, don’t worry. Simply close your AirPods case and the Bluetooth settings on your PC, then repeat the pairing steps mentioned earlier. Your AirPods should connect automatically after a few moments each time you take them out of the charging case. If they still don’t connect, follow these steps:
- Access your PC’s Bluetooth settings by clicking on the Bluetooth icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar, or search for “Bluetooth” and select “Bluetooth and other device settings“.
- In the Bluetooth list, scroll down to the Audio section and click the AirPods listing.
- This should reestablish the Bluetooth connection between your PC and AirPods.
Keep in mind that Siri is exclusive to Apple devices, so you won’t be able to utilize the voice assistant while connected to a PC.
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Pair AirPods with your Android phone
Connecting AirPods to an Android device is quite similar to the PC process. Before you start, make sure your AirPods are charged and in their case.
- Swipe down from the top of your Android screen.
- Press and hold the Bluetooth icon.
- Enable Bluetooth.
- Tap Pair new device.
AirPods and an Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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- Open the AirPod case lid, but keep the AirPods inside.
- Press and hold the button on the back of the case until it flashes a white light.
- Your AirPods should appear in the Bluetooth devices list.
If you can’t find your AirPods listed, check under “Available Devices” in the Bluetooth settings. You can also refresh this list by selecting More, then “Refresh.”
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Now you know how to successfully pair your AirPods with a Windows PC or an Android device! If your AirPods do not show up in the Bluetooth device list, just restart the pairing process. Also, keep in mind that certain features exclusive to Apple, such as Siri, won’t work when connecting through non-Apple devices.
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