How to pair airpods to laptop

Discover how easy it is to connect your AirPods to your Windows PC with a simple step-by-step guide. 

Like most Apple products, AirPods are designed to work seamlessly with other Apple devices. In fact, your AirPods can connect to any Apple device in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, connecting your AirPods to a Windows PC may not be as simple.

This may force you to look for other options when taking an online class, making video calls, or listening to music on your PC. However, after spending a fortune on AirPods, buying a new pair of headphones just for your PC can be a financial burden most of us are not willing to bear.

If you are currently in this situation, this article offers an easy solution for you. In just a few steps, you’ll be able to connect and disconnect your AirPods from your Windows 10 laptop. We’ll also go over what to expect once these seemingly incompatible devices are connected. So, let’s dive in!

Can You Connect Apple AirPods With a Windows Laptop or PC?

Yes, you can connect your AirPods to your Windows PC!

Although AirPods are designed to pair with Apple devices, they still work like any other true wireless headphones. This means you can connect your AirPods to any Windows 10 device via Bluetooth.

Just note that your AirPods may lose a few features when connected to non-Apple devices.

One of them is the automatic pairing feature. This automatically connects your AirPods to all Apple devices registered to your Apple ID once you take them out of their case.

Since your Windows PC isn’t part of the Apple ecosystem, it won’t automatically connect to your AirPods. You have to take a few extra steps to ensure you can use your Airpods on your PC.

How to Connect Your AirPods to a Windows 10 Laptop or PC

If your Windows PC has Bluetooth, then connecting the AirPods will be easy. You can do so by following the steps highlighted below:

1. Ensure your AirPods are charged by placing them in their case with the lid closed.
   
   Putting AirPods back on case

2. When the battery level is above 20 percent, long-press the setup button at the back of the case until the LED starts flashing. This shows that it’s in pairing mode.
   
   Enable AirPods’ pairing mode

3. On your PC, open the Windows start menu at the bottom left corner of the screen and go to ‘Settings’.
   
   Going to Windows Settings

4. Then select ‘Devices’.
   
   Selecting ‘Devices’ icon

5. Click on the ‘Bluetooth & other devices’ selection on the left sidebar and ensure that Bluetooth is on. Then click on the plus sign at the top of the tab indicating: Add Bluetooth or other devices.
   
   Adding Bluetooth devices

6. This will take you to the ‘Add a device’ tab. It will reveal a list of Bluetooth devices that are within range.
   
   ‘Add a device’ tab

7. Select your AirPods from the list to pair them with your PC.
   
   Selecting your AirPods from the list.

8. Click ‘Done’ and you will receive a message indicating that your AirPods have been connected successfully.
   
   Completing the connection.

9. Thereafter, you can remove your AirPods from their case and use them as you please.

How to Disconnect Your AirPods From Your Windows 10 Laptop or PC

As previously mentioned, AirPods function just like any other Bluetooth device. Therefore, the process of disconnecting them from your PC isn’t complicated. Follow the steps below to do so:

1. Go back to ‘Settings’ from the Windows start menu, then click the ‘Devices’ option.
2. Select the ‘Bluetooth & other devices’ option. You will see your AirPods’ name on the right side under ‘Audio’.
   
   Find your AirPods under the Audio device selection

3. Select the AirPods and click on the ‘Remove device’ button.
   
   Select ‘Remove device’ option.

4. Confirm your selection by clicking ‘Yes” to remove the device.

What You’ll Enjoy When You Use AirPods With Windows PC

Undoubtedly, Apple’s AirPods work best with iOS devices and Mac computers. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use any of its premium features if you connect it to a Windows laptop.

For one, your AirPods will maintain their ability to remain connected to your audio source for up to 30-60 feet without any audio dropouts.

Aside from a reliable Bluetooth connection, here’s a rundown of the features you can enjoy when using your AirPods with your Windows PC:

Active noise cancellation (ANC)

Apple’s AirPods Pro are designed with top-of-the-line noise-canceling technology. They block out the noise in your surroundings so you can focus on what you are listening to. This feature is not lost even when connected to a Windows laptop.

You can also toggle to transparency mode to let in a little background noise by pressing the force sensor on the stem. This lets you concentrate on your environment while you listen to music. It’s pretty useful when you want to listen to both a conversation you’re having with others, as well as your music.

Functional audio controls

When connected to non-Apple devices, Airpods still maintain basic controls that let you pause, play, or skip audio tracks. However, you have to click the force sensor manually — either once or twice depending on the type of AirPods you have.

Sound Quality

Even when connected with your Windows PC, AirPods offer a high-quality sound experience that goes beyond what you get from most ordinary wireless earbuds. The clarity, soundstage, bass, and treble extension are enough to offer a concert-like reproduction of almost any music genre.

Drawbacks of Using AirPods With Windows Laptop or PC

If you are a fan of Apple’s AirPods, it’s understandable that you may not want to mix and match different earbuds brands. Maintaining a consistent listening experience, even when connecting to your Windows laptop, may be your top priority.

However, you should know beforehand that connecting your Airpods to your Windows device comes with a few caveats. While the sound quality won’t be compromised, you will still miss out on some of the essential features that make Apple’s Airpods some of the best earbuds on the market.

Some of the missing features include:

Automatic ear detection

AirPods are integrated with sensors that can detect when one of the earbuds is removed from your ear. The automatic ear detection system will pause the music in this case. If both AirPods are removed, the playback will revert to the audio source’s speakers instead.

When connected to a Windows PC, your AirPods will lose this functionality. The music will continue playing even when you are not using the AirPods.

Single AirPod listening

Each AirPod functions independently when connected to Apple devices. This lets the user leave one AirPod in their ear to make hands-free calls while the other is in the charging case.

Sadly, this feature is lost when connected to a Windows PC. The AirPods work together like conventional Bluetooth earbuds. Therefore, you can’t have one Airpod charging while the other is connected.

Automatic device switch

Once you connect your AirPods with any of your Apple devices, it’s automatically added to the rest of your devices that use your Apple ID. This means that you can switch between Apple devices even without having to remove your earbuds.

Sad to say, Windows users can’t enjoy this convenience. This is because the AirPods are reduced to standard Bluetooth devices, which you have to reconnect with every device every time.

Siri

When you disconnect your AirPods from your Apple device and connect them to a Windows PC, you will automatically lose Siri. You won’t be able to ask this digital assistant to send messages or make calls.

Battery life check

Usually, Windows 10 can provide an approximate value of a connected headset’s battery level. The value will be displayed next to the device name. Unfortunately, your PC won’t display the battery level of your AirPods.

This is unless you use a third-party app such as Microsoft’s MagicPods to check the battery status.

Conclusion

As you can see, connecting your AirPods to your Windows laptop is straightforward. Now you can use the same pair of AirPods for both your iOS and Windows devices without worrying about compromising the sound quality.

Do you think it will be easier to pair your AirPods to a Windows 10 laptop? Are there steps you think we missed? Leave a comment and let us know what you think.