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How to pair AirPods 4 to any device

Use your shiny new AirPods 4 with any device you want.
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Published onSeptember 26, 2024

Having trouble connecting your AirPods 4 or AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation? These are the first AirPods that don’t have a physical pairing button, which might throw you off (it certainly confused a few of us). Not to worry though, pairing the AirPods 4 to any device is still a simple process.

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How to put your AirPods 4 in pairing mode

A hand holding the AirPods with Active Noise Cancellation. The earbuds are inside the charging case, and the lid is open.
Harley Maranan / SoundGuys
Tap the case just below the indicator light to enter pairing mode.

To put the AirPods 4 in pairing mode, follow these steps:

  1. Ensure the case and earbuds are charged.
  2. Place the earbuds inside the case, and open the lid.
  3. Double-tap the front of the AirPods case, just below the indicator light.

The indicator light will flash white to signal that you are in pairing mode. Once you are in pairing mode, you can look for the AirPods 4 from within the Bluetooth settings on the device that you are trying to pair them to.

How to pair your AirPods 4 to a Mac or Macbook

Mac Control Center Settings.
Chase Bernath / SoundGuys
Head to the control center in the top right of your screen to adjust Bluetooth and Sound settings.

If your AirPods 4 are already paired to your iPhone, and you are signed into the same iCloud account on your Mac, they should automatically connect to your Macbook. If you need to manually pair AirPods to a Mac, follow the steps above to put the AirPods in pairing mode. Then, head to Settings>Bluetooth on your Mac, and scroll down to where it says Nearby Devices. The AirPods 4 in pairing mode will appear here.

If your AirPods 4 are paired to your Mac, but you aren’t hearing any sound playing through them, you may need to switch your system output. From the Mac control center, click on Sound, and the click on the AirPods 4. This will switch your audio output to your AirPods.

How to pair your AirPods 4 to a Windows PC

You can find Bluetooth pairing options on your Windows PC inside the Settings application, or in the Start menu in the bottom right corner of the screen. Follow these steps to pair AirPods to a Windows PC:

  1. Open the Bluetooth settings on the computer.
  2. Place the AirPods inside the charging case, open the lid, and double tap the front of their case.
  3. Select the AirPods from the list of available Bluetooth devices.

Since AirPods are only designed to work with Apple devices, you will miss out on a lot of features if you pair the AirPods 4 to a Windows PC. That said, you will at least be able to use them to listen to music on your computer.

How to pair your AirPods 4 to an iPhone or iPad

An iPhone 12 mini displays the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) spatial audio modes with the case and a smart watch next to it.
Lil Katz / SoundGuys
The iPhone Settings app and Control Center is where you go to customize the AirPods listening experience on iPhone.

AirPods 4 are designed to work intuitively with an iPhone. The first time you open the AirPods 4 case near your iPhone, a card will automatically pop up on the screen to pair. If that doesn’t happen, or if you are pairing the AirPods to a new iPhone or iPad, you can follow these steps:

  1. Hold the AirPods 4 near the iPhone or iPad that you want to pair them to.
  2. Place the AirPods 4 in their charging case, and open the lid.
  3. Double-tap the front of the charging case.
  4. Wait for a pairing card to appear on the screen, and follow the steps to connect the AirPods 4 to the new device.

How to pair your AirPods 4 to an Android phone or tablet

A man wearing AirPods 4 outside.
You can use the AirPods 4 with an Android phone for basic music playback.

We don’t recommend using AirPods 4 with an Android phone, as you’ll miss out on most of the features they offer. If you temporarily need to use AirPods with an Android phone though, you can follow these steps:

  1. Open Bluetooth settings on your Android phone.
  2. Place the AirPods in their charging case, open the lid, and double tap the front of the case.
  3. Select the AirPods from list of available devices on your Android phone.

FAQ

  1. In the Chromebook menu, click on Bluetooth.
  2. Place the AirPods in their charging case, and open the lid.
  3. Double-tap the front of the AirPods case.
  4. Select the AirPods from the list of available devices on your Chromebook.

No, the Playstation 5 does not support regular Bluetooth earbuds or headphones. Check out our list of the best PS5 gaming headsets instead.

No, you can not use AirPods 4 natively with an Xbox. We recommend you take a browse through our list of the best wireless gaming headsets instead.

Yes, you can pair AirPods 4 to a Nintendo Switch following these steps:

  1. Open the System Settings on your Nintendo Switch, and open Bluetooth Audio settings.
  2. Place the AirPods in their charging case, and open the lid.
  3. Tap twice on the front of the AirPods case.
  4. Select the AirPods from the list of devices in the Nintendo Switch Bluetooth Audio settings.

Yes, you can pair AirPods 4 to your TV, if you have a smart TV that supports Bluetooth:

  1. Open the audio output settings on your TV, and find the Bluetooth output option.
  2. With the AirPods 4 inside the case, open the lid, and double tap the front of the case.
  3. Select the AirPods from the menu on your TV.

If you have an Apple TV, the AirPods 4 will automatically pair, as long as you are on the same iCloud account.

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