How to Connect AirPods to a MacBook Air

Turn Bluetooth on, place your AirPods in pairing mode, and connect; repeat for multiple pairs and use Audio MIDI Setup to share audio

By
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Writer
  • Ithaca College
Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.
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Updated on June 26, 2024
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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What to Know

  • Easiest: Turn on Bluetooth, press button on AirPods case > click AirPods in the Bluetooth menu > Connect.
  • Connect multiples with the Audio MIDI Setup app: Multi-Output Device > Sounds > Multi-Output Device.
  • AirPods won't connect? Make sure they're charged and Bluetooth is enabled on MacBook Air.

This article explains how to connect AirPods to a MacBook Air, to create a light, portable pair for mobile work and listening to audio.

How to Connect Your AirPods to a MacBook Air

Connecting AirPods to a MacBook Air is pretty simple. In a few clicks and button presses and you'll be listening to wireless audio. Here's what to do:

If you've already connected these AirPods to an iPhone, and the iPhone and MacBook Air are signed in to the same iCloud account, you should be able to skip these steps. The AirPods should already be set up on the Mac: Put the AirPods in your ears and click the Bluetooth menu > your AirPods > Connect.

  1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then click System Settings or System Preferences.

    System Settings from the Apple menu in macOS.

  2. Click Bluetooth. Toggle Bluetooth on or click Turn Bluetooth On. Keep this window open for the next few steps.

    Bluetooth toggle from System Settings in macOS.

  3. With both AirPods in the charging case, open the lid. Press the button on the AirPods case until the status light starts to blink.

    The setup button on the AirPods case

  4. The AirPods will appear in the Bluetooth preferences window. Click Connect.

    The Connect button for an available set of AirPods Pro in macOS Bluetooth settings.

  5. In a moment, the AirPods will be connected to your MacBook Air and you'll be ready to listen to audio.

    To use the AirPods with your MacBook Air in the future, you won't need all of these steps. By default, your AirPods should connect automatically or when last connected to your Mac. If they don't, connect them from the Control Center > Bluetooth or from the Bluetooth settings menu.

Can You Connect Two Pairs of AirPods to One MacBook Air?

Got a friend who wants to hear whatever you're listening to? You can connect two pairs of AirPods to one MacBook Air. To do so, follow the steps from the last section to connect both sets of AirPods to the MacBook Air.

Now, things get a little more complicated. Because the macOS doesn't support audio output to two pairs of AirPods, you need a workaround. Here's what to do:

  1. Go to the Finder > Utilities > and launch Audio MIDI Setup.

    The Audio MIDI Setup app from the Utilities folder in macOS.

  2. Click the + (Plus) sign, then select Create Multi-Output Device.

    The Create Multi-Output Device option from the add menu in the Audio MIDI Setup app in macOS.

  3. Check the box next to the two sets of AirPods. In the Master Device drop-down, choose your AirPods. Check the Drift Correction box next to your friend's AirPods.

    AirPods selected and one set to Drift Correction in Audio MIDI Setup in macOS.

  4. Go to the Apple menu > System Settings or System Preferences > Sound > Output > Multi-Output Device. With that done, the MacBook Air's audio is sent to both sets of AirPods.

    A Multi-Output Device selected from the Output tab in macOS Sound settings.

Why Won't My AirPods Connect to My MacBook Air?

If you've followed the steps from this article and your AirPods won't connect to your MacBook Air, or you're not hearing audio from them, try these steps to fix the issue:

  • Turn Bluetooth on and off: Click the Bluetooth menu in the top right corner > toggle/turn off Bluetooth > then toggle or turn it back on.
  • Remove AirPods and set them up again: Click the Apple menu > System Preferences or System Settings > Bluetooth > control-click your AirPods > click Forget > set up the AirPods again.
  • Charge AirPods: Put the AirPods into their case and plug the AirPods into a computer or power adapter to recharge the AirPods.
  • Check out our other AirPods troubleshooting tips: If you're having connection issues, head over to Why Won't My AirPods Connect? For general troubleshooting, visit How to Fix AirPods When They're Not Working.
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