How to Connect AirPods to PC in 2023: A Complete Guide

AirPods are one of the most popular wireless earbuds in the market, especially among Apple users. They offer a sleek design, great sound quality, and seamless integration with iOS devices. But did you know that you can also use your AirPods with your Windows PC or laptop? Yes, you can!

In this blog post, we will show you how to connect AirPods to PC in 2023, using different methods and tips. Whether you want to listen to music, watch videos, play games, or join online meetings, you can enjoy the convenience and comfort of your AirPods on your PC.

But before we get into the details, let’s first understand what AirPods are and why you might want to use them with your PC.

What are AirPods and Why Use Them with PC?

AirPods are wireless earbuds that use Bluetooth technology to connect to your devices. They come with a charging case that also acts as a storage case. You can easily pair your AirPods with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple TV by simply opening the case near the device and following the on-screen instructions.

AirPods have several features that make them stand out from other wireless earbuds. For example:

They have sensors that detect when you put them in or take them out of your ears, and automatically pause or resume the audio accordingly.
They have microphones that allow you to make hands-free calls, use voice assistants like Siri or Cortana, and reduce background noise during calls.
They have touch controls that let you play, pause, skip tracks, adjust volume, or activate voice assistants by tapping on the earbuds.
They have a long battery life that can last up to 5 hours of listening time or 3 hours of talk time on a single charge. The charging case can provide up to 24 hours of additional battery life.
They have a wireless charging feature that lets you charge them by placing them on a compatible Qi-certified charging mat.
They have a Find My feature that helps you locate your lost or misplaced AirPods using your iPhone or iCloud account.

But why would you want to use your AirPods with your PC? Well, there are several reasons why you might prefer using your AirPods over other headphones or speakers when using your PC. For example:

You can enjoy a wireless and clutter-free experience without worrying about tangled wires or cables.
You can move around freely within the Bluetooth range of your PC without losing the connection or audio quality.
You can switch between different devices easily without having to unpair and pair again.
You can use your AirPods for various purposes such as listening to music, watching videos, playing games, or joining online meetings.

So, now that you know what AirPods are and why you might want to use them with your PC, let’s see how you can actually connect them.

How to Connect AirPods to PC in 2023

There are two main ways to connect your AirPods to your PC in 2023: using Bluetooth or using a Bluetooth adapter. The method you choose depends on whether your PC has a built-in Bluetooth module or not.

Using Bluetooth

If your PC has a built-in Bluetooth module, then you can connect your AirPods directly using the Bluetooth settings on your PC. This is the easiest and most common way to connect your AirPods to your PC.

However, there are some differences between how you pair Bluetooth devices on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Therefore, we will explain both methods below.

Windows 10

To connect your AirPods to a Windows 10 PC using Bluetooth, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that your AirPods are charged and inside the case. Then open the lid of the case.

2. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white. This means that your AirPods are in pairing mode.

3. On your Windows 10 PC, click on the Start button and go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.

4. Make sure that the Bluetooth toggle is switched on.

5. Click on Add Bluetooth or another device and select Bluetooth from the list.

6. You will see a list of available Bluetooth devices within range. Select your AirPods from the list and click on Pair.

7. You will see a confirmation message saying that your device is ready to go. Click on Done and close the settings window.

You have successfully connected your AirPods to your Windows 10 PC using Bluetooth. You can now use them as you normally would with any other audio device.

Windows 11

To connect your AirPods to a Windows 11 PC using Bluetooth, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that your AirPods are charged and inside the case. Then open the lid of the case.

2. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white. This means that your AirPods are in pairing mode.

3. On your Windows 11 PC, press Windows + A to access the Quick Settings or Action Center. Then click on the Bluetooth icon and turn it on.

4. Right-click on the Bluetooth icon and select Go to Settings.

5. Click on Add device and select Bluetooth from the list.

6. You will see a list of available Bluetooth devices within range. Select your AirPods from the list and click on Pair.

7. You will see a confirmation message saying that your device is ready to go. Click on Done and close the settings window.

You have successfully connected your AirPods to your Windows 11 PC using Bluetooth. You can now use them as you normally would with any other audio device.

Using a Bluetooth Adapter

If your PC does not have a built-in Bluetooth module, then you will need to use a Bluetooth adapter to connect your AirPods to your PC. A Bluetooth adapter is a small device that plugs into your PC’s USB port and enables Bluetooth connectivity.

There are many Bluetooth adapters available in the market, but not all of them are compatible with AirPods. Therefore, you need to choose a Bluetooth adapter that supports AirPods and has good reviews from other users.

Some of the best Bluetooth adapters for AirPods are:

Twelve South AirFly Pro: This is a versatile Bluetooth adapter that can connect up to two headphones at once. It also has a 3.5mm audio jack that allows you to use it with any device that has an audio output. However, it needs to be charged every 25 hours of use.
ASUS USB-BT500: This is a compact and reliable Bluetooth adapter that supports Bluetooth 5.0 technology. It offers fast pairing and stable connection with your AirPods. It also supports mic input, which is useful for online meetings or calls.
Gulikit Route Air: This is an advanced Bluetooth adapter that has a ceramic antenna that allows you to go up to 10 meters from your PC without losing audio transmission. It also supports dual connections, which means you can connect two pairs of AirPods at the same time.

To connect your AirPods to your PC using a Bluetooth adapter, follow these steps:

1. Make sure that your AirPods are charged and inside the case. Then open the lid of the case.

2. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white. This means that your AirPods are in pairing mode.

3. Plug the Bluetooth adapter into your PC’s USB port using the USB-C to USB-A adapter that comes with the kit.

4. Hold the pairing button (A or B) on the Bluetooth adapter for about four seconds until you see a blinking white LED.

5. Wait until the white LED stops blinking, which means that your AirPods are successfully paired with the Bluetooth adapter.

You have successfully connected your AirPods to your PC using a Bluetooth adapter. You can now use them as you normally would with any other audio device.

How to Troubleshoot Common Issues with Connecting AirPods to PC

Sometimes, you might face some issues when connecting your AirPods to your PC, such as:

Your AirPods do not show up in the list of available devices
Your AirPods do not connect or pair with your PC
Your AirPods do not play sound or have poor sound quality
Your AirPods do not work with certain apps or programs
Your AirPods disconnect or drop out frequently

If you encounter any of these problems, here are some possible solutions that might help:

Make sure that your AirPods and their case are charged and have enough battery life
Make sure that your PC’s Bluetooth is turned on and working properly
Make sure that your PC’s audio output is set to your AirPods
Make sure that your PC’s drivers are updated and compatible with your AirPods
Make sure that no other devices are interfering with your Bluetooth connection, such as other wireless earbuds, speakers, keyboards, mice, etc.
Make sure that there are no physical obstacles or sources of interference between your PC and your AirPods, such as walls, metal objects, microwaves, etc.
Restart your PC and/or your AirPods and try pairing them again
Reset your AirPods by pressing and holding the setup button for about 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber three times
Remove your AirPods from your PC’s Bluetooth settings and pair them again
Contact Apple support or visit an Apple store if none of the above solutions work

How to Use Your AirPods with Your PC

Once you have successfully connected your AirPods

you can enjoy listening to music, podcasts, videos, or any other audio content. You can also use your AirPods as a microphone for voice calls or voice recordings. Here are some tips on how to use your AirPods with your PC:]

To adjust the volume of your AirPods, you can use the volume slider on your PC’s taskbar, or the keyboard shortcuts if available. You can also use Siri to change the volume by saying “Hey Siri, increase/decrease the volume” or “Hey Siri, set the volume to x percent”.
To pause or resume playback, you can double-tap either of your AirPods. You can also use Siri to control playback by saying “Hey Siri, play/pause” or “Hey Siri, skip to the next/previous track”.
To answer or end a call, you can double-tap either of your AirPods. You can also use Siri to make or receive calls by saying “Hey Siri, call/contact name” or “Hey Siri, answer/reject the call”.
To switch between different audio sources on your PC, you can use the sound settings on your PC’s taskbar, or the Bluetooth settings if available. You can also use Siri to switch audio sources by saying “Hey Siri, switch to device name” or “Hey Siri, connect/disconnect from device name”.
To check the battery level of your AirPods, you can use the battery widget on your PC’s taskbar, or the Bluetooth settings if available. You can also use Siri to check the battery level by saying “Hey Siri, how is the battery on my AirPods?”

Conclusion –

In this blog post, we have shown you how to connect AirPods to a PC in 2023 using Bluetooth or a Bluetooth adapter. We have also shared some tips and tricks to troubleshoot common issues and enjoy wireless audio on your PC. We hope that this guide has helped you to use your AirPods with your PC without any hassle. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!

Sources

AirPods on the Apple website: https://www.apple.com/airpods/
How to connect AirPods to your Mac or Windows PC on the Apple support website: https://support.apple.com/
How to connect AirPods to your PC on the Windows Central website: https://www.windowscentral.com/
How to use AirPods with your PC on the Tom's Guide website: https://www.tomsguide.com/
The best Bluetooth adapters for AirPods on the TechRadar website: https://www.facebook.com/TechRadar/