How to Sync AirPods or AirPods Pro with Windows

Pairing AirPods or AirPods Pro with a Windows PC might not be as easy as pairing with an iOS or Mac device, but we did it and found it was no big deal .

Just connect your headphones via Bluetooth, a quick and easy process in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Then follow the step-by-step instructions below and you’ll soon be good to go.

Please note that as an Apple product, both AirPods like AirPods Pro they lose some nice features in Windows. They work well for listening to music, but they don’t quite match the expected microphone quality for conversations that you get with your iPhone.

That said, even though Apple’s headphones will allow us manage video calls in applications such as Zoom or Teems, the recommendation is to opt for other better alternatives if we want to maintain high audio quality when using them with Windows computers.

How to Sync AirPods or AirPods Pro with Windows 10

First, make sure your AirPods are fully charged, with both earbuds in the case and the lid closed. Also check that your Windows 10 PC is able to find Bluetooth devices.

The vast majority of modern laptops incorporate Bluetooth, as do desktop computers from major brands such as Lenovo, Dell or HP. This makes things easier when it comes to pairing wireless devices.

If your system is not supported, you can purchase a dongle cheap like that TP link to add this function. There are many of them.

1. Go to the “Settings” section of Windows. You can find it by typing settings in the Windows 10/11 search bar or by selecting the app once it appears. The icon looks like a gear. Alternatively, you can press ‘Windows Key + I’ at the same time.
2. In the “Settings” menu, select “Devices”.
3. The Bluetooth and other devices page will appear. First, make sure Bluetooth is turned on by checking the tab at the top of the page. If not, enable it.
4. Select “Add Bluetooth or another device”.
5. The “Add Device” menu will appear, asking you what type of device you want to pair with. Select ‘Bluetooth’.
6. Take your AirPods or AirPods Pro and open the lid.
7. Press and hold the circular button on the back of your AirPods (the only one there is) for three to eight seconds. The charging light on your AirPods will start flashing white. When this happens, lift your finger and look at the “Add device” menu again.
8. Be patient. AirPods may take a few seconds to appear. When they do, they’ll probably show up as “headphones” at first, then Windows 10 will load them as “AirPods Pro” (or whatever name you gave them in iOS, if you have an iPhone or an iPad you’ve used with them before). Mark them.
9. You will receive a notification saying “Your device is ready to go!”

Your AirPods should now become your default listening device. When you put them back in their case, Windows 10 will automatically revert to the last audio device you used with your PC.

How to Sync AirPods or AirPods Pro with Windows 11

Before pairing, your AirPods should be fully charged, with both earbuds in the case and the lid closed. Also check that your Windows 11 computer supports Bluetooth connections.

As we mentioned in the previous section on Windows 10, most laptops have built-in Bluetooth, as do desktops from major brands like Lenovo, Acer, Dell, or HP. Otherwise, get a cheap dongle like the one from TP link.

1. Open the “Settings” app in Windows 11. You can access it by clicking on the Start menu and then clicking on the gray gear icon labeled “Settings”. You can also open it by typing settings in the search bar or by pressing “Windows + I” on your keyboard.
2. In the ‘Settings’ menu, select ‘Bluetooth and devices’.
3. Confirm that the ‘Bluetooth’ option is enabled. If not, click on it.
4. At the top of the screen, click on the big button that says “Add device”.
5. When the “Add Device” menu appears, choose “Bluetooth” from the options.
6. Now open the lid of your AirPods or AirPods Pro. If this is your first time pairing the device, you can skip to step 8.
7. Alternatively, press and hold the circular button on the back of your AirPods. The charging light on your AirPods will start flashing white after several seconds (this may take up to 10 seconds). When this happens, lift your finger and look at the “Add Device” menu.
8. Please be patient as it may take a few seconds for the AirPods to appear. They’ll probably show up as “Headphones” at first, then Windows 11 will show them as “AirPods” or “AirPods Pro” (or whatever you rename them to on your iPhone). Mark them.
9. A new window will appear saying: “Your device is ready to go!”

Your AirPods should now be your primary device. You’ll see it as a new button at the top of the Bluetooth & Devices screen; your status should be marked with a green dot and listed as Voice Connected, Music.

You can put them back in the case to disconnect them automatically. Windows 11 will automatically switch to the last audio device you used previously.

How to reconnect or disconnect AirPods with Windows 10

Your AirPods should automatically start working with your PC once you put them back in your ears. Otherwise, you can connect them manually:

1. Open the “Settings in Windows 10” app.
2. Select ‘Devices’.
3. Scroll down to the “Audio” section and select your AirPods.
4. In the message that appears, click on ‘Connect’. Your AirPods should now work.

How to reconnect or disconnect AirPods with Windows 11

AirPods should automatically reconnect to Windows 11 after removing them from the case. If not, you can manually do the following:

1. Open the “Settings” app in Windows 11.
2. Choose “Bluetooth and devices”.
3. At the top of the screen, you should see a big button for your AirPods (e.g., “AirPods Pro”).
4. Click on the ‘Connect’ button.
5. If you don’t see your AirPods among the buttons on this screen, click “See more devices” just below them. Then scroll down to ‘Audio’.
6. In the “AirPods” entry, click the vertical set of three dots.
7. In the pop-up window that appears, select “Connect”.

Your AirPods should now work. To disconnect them from your PC, follow these same steps. If you want to use your AirPods with a previously paired device, you may need to manually connect through the Bluetooth menu.

How to unpair your AirPods from Windows 10

Permanently unpairing your AirPods involves a series of steps similar to reconnecting them, but with a slight difference.

1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Click on ‘Devices’.
3. Scroll down to the “Audio” section and select your AirPods.
4. In the message that appears, tap “Remove device”.

How to unpair your AirPods from Windows 11

To remove your AirPods as a Windows 11 device, you need to follow the steps below:

1. Open the “Settings” app.
2. Select “Bluetooth and devices”.
3. Locate the large button on your AirPods (eg “AirPods Pro”).
4. Click the vertical three-point line in the upper right corner of the button.
5. In the small pop-up window that appears, choose “Delete device”.
6. If you can’t find your AirPods among the buttons on this screen, click “See more devices” just below. Then scroll down to ‘Audio’.
7. In the “AirPods” entry, click the vertical set of three dots.
8. Choose the “Delete Device” option.

That’s all. We hope we were able to help you use your AirPods on any Windows PC, be it Windows 10 or Windows 11 version. You might be interested to know How to Uninstall Windows 11 and Revert to Windows 10.

Original article by Alaina Yee and published in PC World United States.