Do you think that the AirPods are magical – some kind of Apple’s trickery that can work only with Apple devices? Think again! Inside those fancy earbuds is the same old Bluetooth that is used by any wireless headphone or earbuds to connect to your device.
This means that AirPods can quickly and easily connect with your Windows PC or Windows computer as long as your PC has a Bluetooth device attached to either externally or internally.
So, how do you do that? How do you make AirPods work with Windows PC or Windows computer? Read on! This definitive guide will walk you through the process.
Charge your AirPods
One of the basic requirements of pairing AirPods with any device is to ensure that the earbuds are inside the charging case. So, make sure that you put them back into the case.
Now, ensure that your AirPods and the charging case have enough charge. If they don’t have enough charge, charge them completely, or at least partially.
In case the AirPods and the charging case are fully charged, you will see a green indicator light inside the case.
Prep Your AirPods for Pairing
Sometimes it feels ridiculous but that is how Apple designed it. To pair your AirPods with any device, you need to ensure that the earbuds are inside the charging case and that the lid of the case is open.
Do that!
Once you have done this, find the button behind the charging case. It is a small circular white button.
Press and hold the button for 3 seconds until you see a flashing white light inside the case or outside the case. Once it flashes white, you are done! The AirPods are ready for pairing.
Open Bluetooth Settings on Your PC
On your Windows PC, carry out the following steps meticulously to pair your AirPods with Windows PC.
- Step 1: Click on the Start button and then on the Settings icon to pull out the settings window.
- Steps 2: On the settings window, click on the search bar and type Bluetooth. As you type, you can see a list of options showing up in a dropdown. Select the option which reads ‘Bluetooth and other devices settings.’
- Step 3: On the ‘Bluetooth and other devices settings’ page you should see a Bluetooth toggle button. If you don’t see that button, it simply means that your PC doesn’t have the necessary Bluetooth hardware. You can hook up a USB Bluetooth dongle to one of the USB ports. The Bluetooth toggle button should now show up.
- Step 4: Toggle the switch ON.
- Step 5: Once you toggle on the Bluetooth connection, click on the “Add Bluetooth or other device.”
- Step 6: On the popup window that opens up, click on Bluetooth. Once you do that, you can see the AirPods listed.
- Step 7: Click on AirPods and click on the connect button. The connection will establish.
- Step 8: Once the connection is established, you can take the earbuds out of the charging case and put them in your ears.
Now you can listen to music, or watch a video or call on Skype. The Bluetooth connection between your PC and your AirPods will be lost once you turn off the PC.
Next time you turn on your PC, you will have to go back to the “Bluetooth and other devices” settings page. There you can see your AirPods listed under the ‘Audio’ header! Click on AirPods and then click on the connect button to re-establish the connection.
Things to Remember
- AirPods have been designed with iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and Mac in mind. This means that when you use AirPods with your Windows PC, you will not be able to access several of the features that AirPods offer with Apple’s products.
- Removing the Bluetooth device (dongle or internal Bluetooth card) from your PC will prevent the AirPods from being listed under the Audio header under Bluetooth settings.
Conclusion
AirPods work with Windows PC or Windows computer. There is no doubt about it. AirPods are based on simple Bluetooth technology. As long as your Windows PC has the necessary Bluetooth hardware, you are good to go!