How to use AirPods (with pictures)

In this article, we'll walk you through how to use Apple's Wireless AirPods. They can be connected to any Bluetooth device, but full functionality, including Siri, is only available on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 10.2 (or later) and a Mac running OS X Sierra.

Steps

Part 1 of 6: How to Connect AirPods to iPhone Running iOS 10.2 or Newer

Step 1. Unlock iPhone

To do this, tap the Touch ID sensor or enter your password on the lock screen.

Step 2. Press the Home button

You will be taken to the home screen.

Step 3. Place the AirPods case near your iPhone

The headphones should be in the case and the case cover should be closed.

Step 4. Open the cover of the AirPods case

The setup program starts on the iPhone.

Step 5. Tap Connect

The pairing process starts.

Step 6. Click Finish

The headphones will be connected to the iPhone.

If you're signed in to iCloud, AirPods will automatically connect to other devices running iOS 10.2 (or later) or to a Mac running Sierra. also the headphones will sign in to iCloud with the same Apple ID

Part 2 of 6: How to Connect AirPods to Another iPhone

Step 1. Place the AirPods case near your iPhone

The headphones should be in the case and the case cover should be closed.

Step 2. Open the cover of your AirPods case

Step 3. Press and hold the "Setup" button

This small, round button is on the back of your AirPods case. Hold the button until the indicator flashes white.

Step 4. Launch the Settings app on the iPhone

Tap the gear icon (⚙️) on the home screen.

Step 5. Tap Bluetooth

It's at the top of the menu.

Step 6. Move the slider next to "Bluetooth" to the "Enable" position

It will turn green.

Step 7. Tap AirPods

It's under the Other Devices section.

When AirPods are connected to your smartphone, they will appear in the My Devices section

Part 3 of 6: How to Connect AirPods to Mac Computer

Step 1. Open the Apple menu

Click on the  icon in the upper left corner.

Step 2. Click System Preferences

You will find this option at the top of the menu.

Step 3. Tap Bluetooth

It's in the middle of the window.

Step 4. Tap Turn on Bluetooth

You will find this option on the left side of the window.

Step 5. Place the AirPods case near the computer

The headphones should be in the case and the case cover should be closed.

Step 6. Open the cover of your AirPods case

Step 7. Press and hold the "Setup" button

This small, round button is on the back of your AirPods case. Hold the button until the indicator flashes white.

Step 8. Click AirPods

This option will appear in the Devices section in the right pane of the Bluetooth window on your computer.

Step 9. Click Connect

AirPods will connect to your computer.

Check the box next to "Show Bluetooth in menu bar" at the bottom of the window to add a menu that allows you to quickly connect your headphones to your computer (without having to open system settings)

Part 4 of 6: How to Connect AirPods to Windows 10 Computer

Step 1. Open the cover of your AirPods case and press the pairing button on your device

If you see a notification about connecting via SwiftPair, please accept it. In the same way, you can connect a stylus, keyboard or mouse to the device.

Step 2. Open Bluetooth settings

To do this, click Options> Devices> Bluetooth & Other Devices.

Step 3. Click "Add Device"

Step 4. Select "Bluetooth"

Step 5. Select AirPods

Step 6. Let Windows complete the pairing process

Step 7. So, you have connected AirPods to your Windows computer

Part 5 of 6: How to Use AirPods

Step 1. Remove the AirPods from the case

They will turn on and be ready to use, meaning they don't have a power button.

Step 2. Insert AirPods into your ears

The earbuds will automatically connect to the paired device. This way, you don't have to do anything to hear some sounds, such as notification sounds and ringtones.

• Play a tune, podcast, video, or other media content to listen to through AirPods.
• AirPods connect to iPhone and Apple Watch at the same time. This means that sounds from both the iPhone and Apple Watch will flow through the AirPods, and you do not need to switch or pair them.

Step 3. Double-tap AirPod

This will turn on Siri, answer an incoming phone call, end a call, or switch to another call.

• AirPods can be controlled via Siri. That is, you can give various commands to Siri through AirPods, for example, "Play my playlist", "Skip to next song" and "Volume up".
• To change the double-tap feature that starts and pauses playback, launch the Settings app with your AirPods near your device, tap Bluetooth> AirPods> Play / Pause (under Double-tap AirPods).

Step 4. Take one earphone out of your ear

The playback of media content on the paired device will be paused.

Step 5. Remove both earpieces from your ears

Media content on the paired device will stop playing.

Part 6 of 6: How to charge AirPods

Step 1. Place the AirPods in the case

The headphones will turn off.

Step 2. Close the cover of the case

It is also a charger that charges the earbuds when the case is closed.

Step 3. Charge the case

To do this, use the USB to Lightning cable that comes with your AirPods. This will charge both the case and the headphones.