Airpod 4- How To Connect | Fast Pair Steps

Want a quick, clean setup that just works? This guide shows every way to pair, switch, and fix pairing snags for the fourth-gen buds. You’ll see the fastest route for each device, plus a backup move when the pop-up doesn’t appear.

What You Need Before You Start

Charge the case and both earbuds to avoid false errors. Turn on Bluetooth on the phone, tablet, or computer. Keep the lid close to the device during setup. Update to the latest software on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, or tvOS. If you see a different name on the case or the buds look mismatched, you may have a mixed set; pairing can still work, but some features may pause until both sides match.

Connect AirPods 4 To Devices — Quick Steps

Here’s the fast path for the most common devices. The first step is always the same: place both earbuds in the case and open the lid.

Device	Fastest Way	Notes
iPhone or iPad	Hold the open case near the screen, then tap the on-screen card.	If the card doesn’t appear, use manual pairing with the case front gesture.
Mac	Open System Settings > Bluetooth, keep the lid open, then select the buds from the list.	Signed-in Apple ID links your gear through iCloud for faster switching.
Android phone	Open Bluetooth settings and scan. Use the case gesture to enter pairing.	Media and call audio work; Siri features don’t.
Windows PC	Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Bluetooth.	Pick the buds when they appear, then select Connect.
Apple Watch	Open the case near the watch, then select the buds in Settings > Bluetooth.	Great for workouts without the phone.
Apple TV	Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth, then pick the buds.	The TV box can switch to them during playback.

Pair To iPhone And iPad

Keep the device unlocked. Hold the open case a few centimeters from the screen. A setup card slides in; tap Connect. Follow any short prompts, then tap Done. If nothing shows, use manual pairing: leave the lid open and double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white. Now go to Settings > Bluetooth and pick the buds in the list.

Need a reference from the maker? See Apple’s iPhone pairing guide for the latest steps and gestures. Apple’s iPhone pairing guide.

Pair To Mac

Open the lid near the computer. On the Mac, open System Settings > Bluetooth. Wait for the name to appear under Nearby Devices. Click Connect. If it doesn’t appear, use the case gesture until the light flashes white, then click Connect again. Once paired, open System Settings > Sound to set them as Output and Input so calls route to the buds.

Use With Android Or Windows

These earbuds act like standard Bluetooth headphones. On Android, open Settings > Connections > Bluetooth. On Windows, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices. With the lid open, trigger pairing with the case front gesture until the light flashes white. Select the buds in the scan list. Voice assistant shortcuts from Apple won’t work here, but media controls and calls do.

Apple publishes steps for pairing with non-Apple gear, which match what you see here. Pair with a non-Apple device.

Switch Between Devices Smoothly

If you sign in with the same Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, the buds can auto-switch to the one that starts audio. You can also pick them manually from Control Center on iPhone or iPad, or from the menu bar sound control on Mac. For a stable call, many users prefer setting them as the active Output and Input before dialing.

Manual Pairing Gesture On The Case

The fourth-gen case adds a faster gesture. Leave the lid open and double-tap the front of the case to enter pairing. Watch for the status light to flash white. This replaces the long press on the rear button seen on earlier models. If you own multiple pairs, watch the Bluetooth list to avoid picking the wrong name.

Troubleshooting That Works

If The Setup Card Never Appears

Toggle Bluetooth off and back on. Close the case for twenty seconds, then open it near the screen again. Move away from Wi-Fi routers or USB hubs that add radio noise. If you still get no card, use the case gesture and pair from the Bluetooth settings page.

If The Name Shows But Won’t Connect

Delete the entry in Bluetooth settings, then pair again. Restart the phone or computer. Keep other paired headphones off so they don’t grab the link. If you’re on a Mac, open Sound settings and set Output to the buds after pairing.

If One Side Plays And The Other Is Silent

Place both earbuds in the case and charge for ten minutes. Check that both show up in the Bluetooth device details. Clean the metal contacts with a dry lint-free cloth. Try a reset if the issue repeats.

Reset Sequence For AirPods 4

Place both earbuds in the case and close the lid for thirty seconds. Open the lid. Double-tap the front of the case three times. The status light turns amber, then white. With the lid still open, hold the case near the device and pair again from the card or the Bluetooth list.

Understand The Status Light

The light helps you read the case state at a glance. White flashing means pairing mode. Solid green means the case is charged when empty, or the buds are fully charged when they’re inside. Amber means charging or an error during reset. No light suggests the battery is drained.

Symptom	Likely Cause	Quick Fix
No setup card	Bluetooth not ready or radio noise	Toggle Bluetooth, move closer, use case gesture
Shows in list but fails	Old pairing cache	Forget device, restart, pair fresh
Audio skips	Busy 2.4 GHz band	Move from routers, keep phone in front pocket
Mic sounds thin	Input not set on Mac	Set Input to the buds in Sound settings
One side dead	Dirty contacts or low charge	Clean pins, charge, then reset
Won’t enter pairing	Wrong button habit	Use the front double-tap; don’t hold the back button

Tips For A Faster First Pair

Stand Close And Keep The Lid Open

Distance matters. Stay within a meter of the device. Keep the lid open until the link completes. Closing the lid cancels pairing.

Charge During Setup

Low power can stall pairing. Connect a USB-C cable to the case while you try again. Leave both earbuds seated so the contacts line up.

Name Your Buds

After pairing, open the Bluetooth details page and set a clear name. That saves time when you own more than one pair or share a family Apple ID.

Set Call Audio On Phones

On iPhone, open Control Center, long-press the audio tile, tap the AirPlay icon, then pick the buds. On Android, tap the gear next to the device name and enable calls and media. That avoids the “connected for music only” issue.

Use Controls While Connected

Once paired, the stems handle quick moves. Press once to play or pause. Press twice to skip forward, three times to skip back. Press and hold to cycle modes if your model supports them. Volume can ride from the device or by saying the assistant phrase on Apple gear.

When To Check The Serial Number

If pairing keeps failing and the lid number doesn’t match the Bluetooth details, you might have a mixed set. Open the case and look under the lid for the serial. You can view it in Settings > Bluetooth > info on iPhone too. Use that to confirm authenticity during returns or warranty claims.

Frequently Asked Fix Scenarios

Moved From An Older Pair

Delete the older entry in Bluetooth lists across devices so the new pair gets first shot at the link. On Macs, click the i button next to the name and Remove.

Sharing Between Two People

Turn off auto-switch on the spare device or stop playback there before you take a call. Manual selection beats tug-of-war during meetings.

Switching From Android Back To iPhone

After using the buds with a non-Apple phone, return to the iPhone and open the lid near the screen. If the card doesn’t pop up, pair from Settings > Bluetooth or run a quick reset.

Care And Cleaning For Reliable Contacts

Use a dry, soft cloth on the case and the metal pins inside. Avoid liquids and aerosols. If debris collects in the stem grooves or the case wells, power off the device you’re pairing with and clean first, then try again. Steady contact inside the case keeps firmware and pairing data in sync.

When To Ask Apple For Help

If resets don’t stick, the light never turns white, or the case gesture does nothing, book a quick hardware check. A worn hinge, weak battery, or a mismatched earbud can block pairing. Bring case, buds, and proof of purchase. Staff can scan serial and run diagnostics. If covered, you’ll get repair or swap options; if not, they’ll quote price.

Recap: Your Fastest Path

Open the lid, stay close, and follow the card. If there’s no card, trigger pairing with the case front double-tap until you see the white flash, then pick the name in Bluetooth. If pairing breaks later, run the reset sequence and try again. The whole process takes under a minute once you know the moves.