How to Connect AirPods to a MacBook Air

Pair single or multiple AirPods in a few simple steps

By
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Writer
  • Ithaca College
Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.
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Updated on November 19, 2022
Reviewed by
Jessica Kormos
Jessica Kormos
Reviewed by Jessica Kormos
  • Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Jessica Kormos is a writer and editor with 15 years' experience writing articles, copy, and UX content for Tecca.com, Rosenfeld Media, and many others.
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What to Know

  • Easiest: Turn on Bluetooth, press button on AirPods case > click AirPods in the Bluetooth menu > Connect.
  • Connect multiples with the Audio MIDI Setup app: Multi-Output Device > Sounds > Multi-Output Device.
  • AirPods won't connect? Make sure they're charged and Bluetooth is enabled on MacBook Air.

This article explains how to connect AirPods to a MacBook Air, to create a light, portable pair for mobile work and listening to audio.

How to Connect Your AirPods to a MacBook Air

Connecting AirPods to a MacBook Air is pretty simple. Just a few clicks and button presses and you'll be listening to wireless audio. Here's what to do:

If you've already connected these AirPods to an iPhone, and the iPhone and MacBook Air are signed into the same iCloud account, you should be able to skip these steps. The AirPods should already be set up on the Mac. Just put the AirPods in your ears, click the Bluetooth menu, click the name of the AirPods, and then click Connect.

  1. Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then click System Preferences.

    The System Preferences menu under the Apple menu

  2. Click Bluetooth.

    The Bluetooth option in System Preferences

  3. Click Turn Bluetooth On. Keep this window open for the next few steps.

    The "Turn Bluetooth On" button in the Bluetooth preferences

  4. With both AirPods in the charging case, open the lid. Press the button on the AirPods case until the status light starts to blink.

    The setup button on the AirPods case

  5. In a moment, the AirPods will appear in the Bluetooth preferences window. Click Connect.

    The "Connect" button in the Bluetooth preferences window

  6. In a moment, the AirPods will be connected to your MacBook Air and you'll be ready to listen to audio.

    To use the AirPods with your MacBook Air in the future, you won't need all of these steps. Just put the AirPods in your ears, click the Bluetooth menu in the top right corner of the screen, click the name of the AirPods, and then click Connect.

Can You Connect Two Pairs of AirPods to One MacBook Air?

Got a friend who wants to hear whatever you're listening to? You can connect two pairs of AirPods to one MacBook Air. To do so, follow the steps from the last section to connect both sets of AirPods to the MacBook Air.

Now, things get a little more complicated. Because the macOS doesn't support audio output to two pairs of AirPods, you need a workaround. Here's what to do:

  1. Go to the Finder > Utilities > and launch Audio MIDI Setup.

    Screenshot of the Finder showing the Audio MIDI Setup app

  2. Click the plus (+) sign, then select Create Multi-Output Device.

    Screenshot of the Audio MIDI Setup app

  3. Check the box next to the two sets of AirPods. In the Master Device drop-down, choose your AirPods. Check the Drift Correction box next to your friend's AirPods.

    Screenshot of creating the multi-output device in the Audio MIDI Setup app

  4. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Sound > Multi-Output Device. With that done, the MacBook Air's audio is sent to both sets of AirPods.

    Screenshot of the Sound settings using the dual output option

Why Won't My AirPods Connect to My MacBook Air?

If you've followed the steps from this article and your AirPods won't connect to your MacBook Air, or you're not hearing audio from them, try these steps to fix it:

  • Turn Bluetooth on and off. Click the Bluetooth menu in the top right corner > click Turn Off Bluetooth > then click Turn on Bluetooth.
  • Remove AirPods and set them up again. Click the Apple menu > System Preferences > Bluetooth > hover over the AirPods > click the X > set up the AirPods again.
  • Charge AirPods. Put the AirPods into their case and plug the AirPods into a computer or power adapter to recharge the AirPods.
  • Check out our other AirPods troubleshooting tips: Why Won't My AirPods Connect? and How to Fix AirPods When They're Not Working.
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