Can airpods connect to a windows laptop

Apple AirPods pair magically with other Apple devices, thanks to Apple's H1 chip -- or W1 chip in the case of the original AirPods -- but you can pair them with other devices via plain ol' Bluetooth nearly as easily. (Just not as magically because a non-Apple device won't know to pause your music, podcast or video when you take an AirPod out of your ear.)

It took you all of three seconds to pair your AirPods with your iPhone ($244 at Amazon) and the rest of your Apple devices. Pairing your Apple AirPods with your Windows 10 PC requires a few extra steps, but shouldn't take more than a minute. We'll walk you through pairing your AirPods with your PC and how to reconnect. This story is updated periodically.

Pair AirPods with PC

On your PC, open the Settings app and choose Devices from the main menu. At the top of the Bluetooth & other devices page, first make sure that the toggle switch for Bluetooth is on. Next, click Add Bluetooth or other device at the top above the Bluetooth toggle switch. On the Add a device window, click Bluetooth.

Put your AirPods in their case and open the lid. Press and hold the button on the back of the case until you see the status light between your two AirPods start pulsing white, and then let go. Your AirPods should show up in the Add a device window. Click to pair and connect.

Reconnecting once paired

After making the initial connection between your Windows 10 PC and your AirPods, you'll be able to reconnect your AirPods and your PC for listening to music, watching YouTube, video conferencing and so on by heading back to the Bluetooth & other devices page in Settings. 

You'll see all of your paired audio devices listed under the Audio header. Select your AirPods from the list and click the Connect button.

This explains how to connect your Apple AirPods to Microsoft Surface models running Windows 11 and Windows 10.

How to Pair Apple AirPods to a Microsoft Surface

The steps are a little different depending on which version of Windows your Microsoft Surface is running.

Windows 11

Here’s how to connect your AirPods to a Windows 11 Microsoft Surface.

1. Right-click the Windows icon on the taskbar.

   
   

2. Select Settings.

   
   

3. Select Bluetooth & devices.

   
   

4. Select the Bluetooth toggle if it isn’t already on.

   
   

5. Select + Add device.

   
   

6. Place the AirPods in their case, and then open the case.

   
   
    Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire

7. Press and hold the button on your AirPods case.

   
   

    Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire

8. When the light flashes white, release the button.

   The light may be inside your case or on the front of the case.

   
   

    Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire

9. On your Windows 11 PC, select Bluetooth.

   
   

10. Wait for your PC to search for devices, then choose your AirPods when they appear in the list.

    
    

11. Wait for the connection to be established, then select Done.

    
    

Windows 10

Here’s how to connect your AirPods to a Windows 10 Microsoft Surface.

1. Open the Windows 10 Action Center on your Surface.

   
   

   You can do this by swiping in from the right side of the screen or by selecting its icon in the Windows 10 taskbar.

2. Check that Bluetooth is turned on. If Bluetooth’s turned off, select its icon from the Action Center.

   
   

3. Select All settings.

   
   

4. Select Devices.

   
   

5. Select Add Bluetooth & other device.

   
   

6. Select Bluetooth.

   
   

7. Open the AirPods’ case (keep the AirPods inside). Firmly press the button on the back of the AirPods’ case until the light on its front begins to flash. Doing this will make them discoverable by your Surface.

   
   

8. Select your AirPods from the list of Bluetooth devices.

   
   

   If you've previously given your AirPods a custom name, that name should appear on this list.

9. Select Done.

   
   

How to Switch Sound Output on a Microsoft Surface

If you want to use your AirPods to listen to music or videos, you’ll need to switch audio outputs. This may happen automatically the first time your AirPods connect, but you can also do it manually if you have an issue where audio isn't coming from the AirPods.

Windows 11

Here’s how to change the audio output on a Windows 11 Surface:

1. Take your AirPods out of the case.

   
   
   Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire

2. Select the Speaker icon on the taskbar.

   
   

3. Select the > icon to the right of the volume control.

   
   

   If the Bluetooth button is grayed out, it means Bluetooth has been turned off. Select the Bluetooth button to turn it on.

4. Select Headphones (AirPods) in the list of devices.

   
   

5. When your AirPods are selected in this menu, it means they’re connected, ready to use, and set as the default audio source on your Windows 11 PC.

Windows 10

Here’s how to change the audio output on a Windows 10 Surface:

1. Take your AirPods out of the case.

   
   
   Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire

2. Select the Speaker icon on your taskbar.

   
   

3. Select the dropdown menu.

   
   

4. Select Headphones (AirPods Stereo). You can now use your AirPods with your laptop.

   
   

Why Won't My AirPods Connect to My Surface Pro?

There are several potential reasons your Apple AirPods aren’t connecting to your Surface Pro or other Surface devices properly.

• Bluetooth is disabled on your Surface. Turn Bluetooth back on via the Windows 10 Action Center.
• You connected the AirPods to something else. Apple AirPods often stay connected to the first synced device they detect when activated. Remove them from the other device or turn that device’s Bluetooth off to disconnect them.
• You connected your Surface to something else. Your Surface Pro might already be streaming audio to a speaker or pair of headphones. Disconnect that other device or turn it off. 
• The batteries may be flat. Make sure to charge your AirPods daily, so they have plenty of battery life, and place them back in their case so they don’t accidentally turn on and use all their power when not in use.
• Your Surface isn’t seeing your AirPods. To fix this, place your AirPods in their case, close the lid, and then open it again.
• Windows 10 is glitching. Restart your Surface and troubleshoot Windows Bluetooth.
• Your AirPods could be fake. The chances of this happening are slim if you bought your AirPods from an Apple Store, but if you got them from a reseller, your AirPods could be fake or damaged.

FAQ

• How do I connect AirPods to my Surface Pro 6?

  Connecting AirPods to a Surface Pro 6 involves the same steps as connecting AirPods to all other Surface models. Open the AirPods case and hold the sync button to put it into pairing mode. Then, go to Settings, turn on Bluetooth, and select your AirPods from the list.

• Can I connect my AirPods to a Windows tablet?

  Yes. The process is the same as connecting Bluetooth headphones to a Windows PC. Open your AirPods charging case, press and hold the pairing button, launch Bluetooth on your device, and then select your AirPods.