Pairing AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max with a Windows PC may not be as simple as pairing with an iOS device, but it is only slightly more difficult. However, you can connect the AirPods via Bluetooth. In this guide, we will show you how to pair and connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC or laptop by just following some straightforward steps.
Meanwhile, remember that the Apple products, AirPods and AirPod Pros will lose some functions with Windows 11. They are great for listening to the audio files but not as good as the microphone quality you get on iOS or macOS. Therefore, although Apple’s AirPods can handle Zoom calls in a pinch, we will avoid them as your primary Windows headset.
Related: How to Connect Galaxy Buds Live to your Windows 10 Computer
Table of Contents
AirPod Features
Apple released two versions of AirPods: the original AirPod (released in 2016) and AirPod 2 (released in 2019). Visually, they look the same, but they have some important differences. The first-generation AirPods used Apple’s original W1 wireless chip, while the AirPods 2 were built around the new H1 wireless chipset, which Apple claims runs at roughly twice that speed.
Both AirPods include an accelerometer to detect gestures, optical sensors to see if they are plugged into your ears, and microphones for calls and Siri.
AirPods are equipped with a charging case with a built-in battery, which can extend the battery life of the headset when the headset is away from the power outlet. The original AirPods charging case was charged via a data cable, and AirPod 2 provides an optional wireless charging case for an additional charge.
If you let the AirPods fully charge in the charging case, the total battery life of the two versions of AirPods is roughly the same, meaning more than 24 hours of listening time. AirPods 2 can provide a slightly longer talk time on a single charge, about 3 hours instead of 2 hours.
Do Apple AirPods Work With Windows 11 PC?
AirPods are designed to work seamlessly with iPhones and other Apple devices, but you can pair and connect AirPods to any Windows 11 PC via Bluetooth. AirPods can remember Windows 11 PCs, iPhones and other devices, so you can switch them at any time.
But before you connect or pair your AirPods with Windows 11 PC, you need to make sure that your PC has the Bluetooth driver updated. Modern computers have Bluetooth, so if you don’t actually use an old PC, your PC will have Bluetooth.
How to Connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC or laptop
You can easily pair your AirPods with Windows 11 via Windows Settings. Remember that you can connect AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max with your PC the same way.
Step 1. Open the Settings app by using the ‘Windows + I‘ shortcut keys.
Step 2. On the Windows 11 Settings window, Click ‘Bluetooth & devices‘ on the right pane, and click on the Bluetooth toggle to turn it on.
Step 3. After turning on the Bluetooth, you will have to bring your AirPods to the pairing mode. To do this, put your AirPods in the case, open the case and press and hold the button on the AirPods case. Release the button when the case light flashes white.
Step 4. Now, click on the ‘Add device‘ option, and click ‘Bluetooth‘ from the three listed options.
Step 5. Now, you need to wait for your Windows 11 PC to search for available devices and then click on your AirPod when it appears in the list.
Step 6. Finally, wait for the connection to be established, then click ‘Done‘, and your AirPods are now connected to your Windows 11 computer, and ready to use.
How To Use AirPods With Windows 11 PC
After pairing your AirPod with your PC using the steps above, you can use it to listen to music and do much more with Spotify and other music apps on your PC. To use your AirPods on your PC, simply turn on Bluetooth on your PC by turning on the Bluetooth toggle from the action center at the right corner of the taskbar.
After selecting Bluetooth, open the lid of the AirPods case. Your AirPods will automatically connect to your PC. If it won’t automatically connect to your PC, you can connect it manually. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open Settings by using the ‘Windows + I’ keys.
- Head to the‘Bluetooth & devices’section, and click ‘Devices‘.
- Here you will see all the devices paired to your PC. Now select your AirPod and click on the three ellipses right next to your AirPod.
- Then click the ‘Connect‘ option to connect your AirPods and use them on your PC. When connecting AirPods to Windows 11, make sure the lid of the AirPods case is open.
How to Disconnect Your AirPods From a Windows 11 PC
To disconnect or remove your AirPods from your Windows 11 computer, open Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Devices, then select your AirPods and select Remove device. Finally, click Yes to disconnect your AirPods from your Windows computer.
- Go to the Settings app.
- Next, click‘Bluetooth & devices‘, and Then click‘Devices‘.
- Then find and select your AirPods.
- Next, click‘Remove device‘.
- Finally, click‘Yes‘to remove your AirPods from your Windows 11 PC.
Why doAirPodskeep disconnecting from Windows 11 PC?
Bluetooth connection is very convenient, but not perfect, which means your AirPods may disconnect from time to time.
A quick way to re-sync AirPods is to put them back in the case and close the lid for a few seconds. When you delete them, they should automatically re-sync with each other and with your PC, but if this does not happen, you may need to manually reconnect via the Bluetooth device menu.
If your AirPods keep disconnecting, it may be due to the number of Bluetooth devices connected to the PC or laptop. If you connect multiple Bluetooth devices at the same time, such as a Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, and your AirPods, the Bluetooth module is likely overwhelmed and unable to provide stable connections for multiple devices at the same time.
A simple fix is to disconnect any Bluetooth devices that are not currently in use and switch to wired (or wireless supporting 2.4GHz) peripherals.
Do AirPods Pro and AirPods Max work on Windows 11?
Yes, just like ordinary AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max are also working with Windows 11 laptops, and they support transparency and ANC modes.
The AirPods Pro pairing process is almost the same as standard AirPods, but for on-ear AirPods Max, you need to press and hold the noise control button to activate pairing mode.
Conclusion
This is how you pair and connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC or laptop. The process is simple and your AirPods can easily automatically connect to Windows 11 after that. If they don’t connect automatically, we showed you how to connect your AirPods manually. We hope you find this guide useful. Now, If you have any questions, you can use the comments section below to ask them.
More Windows 11 related articles:
- How to Enable Wake on LAN on Windows 11
- The 5 Best Blue Light Filter Apps For Windows 11
- How to Enable The Blue Light Filter on Windows 11
- How to Change the Drive Letter on Windows 11
Related
I am an expert and enthusiast-based assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide assistance on various topics. I can help you with your questions about pairing AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max with a Windows PC.
Before we proceed, I would like to mention that the information provided in this article is accurate and can be relied upon. However, I will also draw on my own knowledge to provide you with a comprehensive answer.
Pairing AirPods with a Windows 11 PC
Pairing AirPods with a Windows 11 PC is slightly more complicated than pairing with an iOS device, but it can be done via Bluetooth. Here are the steps to pair and connect AirPods to a Windows 11 PC:
- Open the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC by using the 'Windows + I' shortcut keys.
- In the Settings window, click on 'Bluetooth & devices' in the right pane.
- Turn on the Bluetooth toggle.
- Put your AirPods in the case, open the case, and press and hold the button on the AirPods case until the case light flashes white.
- Click on the 'Add device' option and select 'Bluetooth' from the listed options.
- Wait for your Windows 11 PC to search for available devices and click on your AirPods when they appear in the list.
- Wait for the connection to be established, then click 'Done'. Your AirPods are now connected to your Windows 11 PC and ready to use.
Please note that your Windows 11 PC should have an updated Bluetooth driver for this process to work. Most modern computers come with Bluetooth capabilities, so unless you are using an older PC, you should have Bluetooth available.
Using AirPods with a Windows 11 PC
Once you have paired your AirPods with your Windows 11 PC, you can use them to listen to music and perform other tasks. To use your AirPods on your PC, follow these steps:
- Turn on Bluetooth on your Windows 11 PC by toggling the Bluetooth option in the action center at the right corner of the taskbar.
- Open the lid of the AirPods case. Your AirPods should automatically connect to your PC. If they don't, you can connect them manually by following these steps:
- Open Settings using the 'Windows + I' keys.
- Go to the 'Bluetooth & devices' section and click on 'Devices'.
- Select your AirPods from the list of paired devices.
- Click on the three ellipses next to your AirPods and click the 'Connect' option.
Your AirPods should now be connected to your Windows 11 PC and ready to use for audio playback.
Disconnecting AirPods from a Windows 11 PC
To disconnect or remove your AirPods from your Windows 11 PC, follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC.
- Click on 'Bluetooth & devices' and then click on 'Devices'.
- Find and select your AirPods from the list of devices.
- Click on 'Remove device'.
- Finally, click 'Yes' to confirm and disconnect your AirPods from your Windows 11 PC.
AirPods Pro and AirPods Max on Windows 11
Yes, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max also work with Windows 11 laptops. They support transparency and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) modes. The pairing process for AirPods Pro is similar to that of standard AirPods. For AirPods Max, you need to press and hold the noise control button to activate pairing mode.
In conclusion, you can pair and connect AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max with a Windows 11 PC by following the steps mentioned above. While the process may be slightly more complicated than pairing with an iOS device, it is still straightforward. Keep in mind that some functions may be limited when using AirPods with Windows 11, particularly microphone quality. Therefore, it is recommended to use them primarily for audio playback rather than as a Windows headset.
I hope you find this information helpful. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
