Depending on the generation of AirPods you’re using, you’ll have to have the appropriate OS on your Mac. If you have second-generation AirPods, you need to make sure that your mac is on macOS Mojave 10.14.4 or higher for the AirPods to work with the mac.
Similarly, third-generation AirPods require macOS Cataline 10.15.1 or later, and AirPods Pro needs the latest macOS Monterey to be compatible with the Mac.
If you’ve used the same Apple ID on your iPhone and your Mac, you should be able to connect your AirPods to your Mac pretty easily.
There are multiple ways you can connect both the devices to the AirPods. Here, we have created a guide on how to connect AirPods to Mac and iPhone at the same time that will help you learn more.
How to Connect AirPods to Mac and iPhone at the same time
Second-generation AirPods, third-generation AirPods, and AirPods Pro can seamlessly switch between devices without disconnecting them from one device and then pairing them with the next.
- Your Mac needs to be on macOS Big Sur or later versions, iOS 14 or later on iPhones, and iPad OS 14 or later with the iPad for this function to work correctly.
- Moreover, you should use a singular Apple ID across all your devices.
An excellent example of how this works would be, suppose you’re using your mac to listen to music with your AirPods, and you answer a call on your iPhone. As soon as you pick up the call, the AirPods will switch to your iPhone and use it as the audio source instead of the Mac. Once the call is over, it will automatically switch back to your Mac.
Sometimes, you will see a notification pop-up on your Mac about your AirPods. A Connect button will appear when you hover the pointer over the pop-up. You can use this to decide if you want your AirPods to switch to your iPhone or stay connected with the Mac.
Read How to Sync Messages from iPhone to Mac
How to Turn Off Automatic Switching?
Sometimes the automatic switching can be a hassle; however, there is a quick way to fix that too. You can follow the steps mentioned here and simply turn off the automatic switching.
- Make sure you’re wearing the AirPods.
- Click the Apple logo and find System Preferences; locate the Bluetooth tab.
- Select the Options button next to the AirPods under the devices section.
- Select “Connect to this Mac ”
- After that, choose, When last connected to this mac.
- Then select Automatically to enable this feature
Read How to Turn Off Pop Up Blocker on Mac
How to Connect AirPods with your Mac
You can also connect your AirPods to your Mac directly if you cannot find them displayed on your Mac.
- Open Bluetooth Preferences from the Menu Bar.
- Toggle the Bluetooth on if it is switched off.
- If you’re wearing the AirPods, place them back into the case and open the top.
- Thumb down the button at the back of the charging case, and keep pressing it till you see the light switch to white.
- You should now be able to see your AirPods under the “Devices” section on your Mac.
- That’s it. You should be able to connect it to your Mac now.
Read How to Change Screen Lock Time on Mac
How to Connect AirPods with your iPhone
Update your iPhone’s OS to the newest version available before delving into these steps.
- Unlock your iPhone.
- Place the AirPods near your iPhone and ensure that the top cover is open.
- An animation will be displayed on your iPhone’s screen.
- Press Connect underneath the animation.
- Now, tap on Done after you’re done setting up the AirPods.
- Your AirPods will work automatically on any Apple device that uses the Apple ID you used on your iPhone to connect to them.
Once both the devices are connected, you can also choose to make other necessary settings. For AirPods Pro or the third generation, be sure to read the subsequent three screens.
If you’ve already set up “Hey Siri” on your iPhone and have the third generation AirPods or AirPods Pro, the “Hey Siri” functionality is ready to be used on your AirPods as well.
Read Why won’t my Airpods Connect to my Mac?
Can’t Connect Your AirPods to Your iPhone? Here’s a Quick Fix for That
There could be multiple reasons why your AirPods failed to connect to your iPhone. But you can always choose to fix the issue and make sure it is back and running.
- Update the operating system of your devices. This is one of the primary reasons some AirPods stop functioning or don’t connect with other devices.
- Next, put the AirPods in the charging case and make sure they’re charged up.
- Toggle the Bluetooth off and on again.
- If your AirPods are connected, check to see whether they’re selected as the option where the audio will be routed or not.
Put the AirPods back into the case if you still have trouble connecting them, and open the top lid. You will find a button behind the AirPods case, thumb it down and keep it held till the light shifts to a white color. Here, you should see an AirPod animation displayed on your iPhone.
Follow the steps displayed on your iPhone, and you should be good to go.
Will resetting my AirPods fix the issue?
You can choose to reset your Airpods or Airpods Pro if they are not connecting to your device. Follow these steps to reset and reconnect your AirPods properly.
- Insert the AirPods back into their case and close the top.
- Wait for thirty seconds, then pop the lid back open.
- Open the Settings app, scroll down till you see the Bluetooth tile, and select More Info on your Apple device.
- Click on Forget this device and tap again to confirm this action.
- Thumb down the button at the back of the case till the light turns white, indicating readiness.
- Keep the charging case close to your iPhone with the lid open, and follow the steps on the screen to reconnect your AirPods with your device.
Conclusion
We hope this article helped you figure out what steps you need to follow to connect AirPods to Mac and iPhone at the same time. Well, as you can see, there is nothing special you need to do about this. Only make sure that your devices are updated and charged.
You may like following mac tutorials:
- How To Make A Pdf File Smaller On Mac
- How to do Upside Down Question Mark on Mac
- Connect a Canon Printer to Your Mac
- How to Turn off Notifications on Mac
Robert is a tech expert (with more than 10 years of experience in using mac os and iPhone) who loves to help others learn about the Mac operating system and iPhone. He provides helpful tutorials on how to use Mac OS, tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Mac operating system, iPhone tips and tricks, and more. He’s always up for a challenge and enjoys learning new things about his favorite OS. When he’s not helping people get the most out of their technology, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two cats. Check out more.