For AirPods 4 pairing, open the case near your device, tap Connect, or press the case control to enter Bluetooth mode for non-Apple gear.
You just unboxed the newest earbuds and want sound in seconds. The fastest path is the native setup on an iPhone or iPad. The same buds also work with Android, Windows, and most Bluetooth audio targets. This guide gives clear steps, short troubleshooting moves, and a few pro tips that shave time off every attempt.
Quick Setup Paths
Pick your device and follow the matching pairing flow. This table distills the screens and actions so you know exactly where to tap.
| Device Or OS | Where To Start | What You’ll Tap |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone or iPad | Home Screen with the lid open beside the phone | Connect → Done |
| Mac | System Settings → Bluetooth | AirPods → Connect |
| Android | Settings → Bluetooth | Add device → AirPods |
| Windows PC | Settings → Bluetooth & devices | Add device → Bluetooth → AirPods |
| Smart TV | TV Bluetooth menu | Pair new device → AirPods |
| Game Console | Console Bluetooth or audio menu (audio only on many models) | Pair → AirPods |
What You Need Before You Start
Charge the case to a few bars and pop both buds in the tray. Keep the lid open during pairing. On Apple devices, sign in to iCloud for quick handoff between phone, tablet, and Mac. On other platforms, keep Bluetooth turned on and remove any old entries for the same buds so you start clean.
Lights tell you the state: a white flash means discoverable, green means charged, and amber points to charging or a reset step. If the case design supports front tapping, the light sequence can be triggered there during a reset. You will see that in the reset section below.
How To Pair The 4th-Gen AirPods (Step-By-Step)
Pair On An iPhone Or iPad
- Update to the latest iOS or iPadOS.
- Hold the open case next to the device. A card slides up.
- Tap Connect, then follow any on-screen tips like Personalized Spatial Audio.
- Tap Done. Audio routes to the buds. That’s it.
If the card doesn’t appear, open Settings → Bluetooth and select the buds from the list. You can also pop open Control Center and tap the AirPlay icon to switch outputs fast. For the full walkthrough, see Apple’s setup guide.
Pair On A Mac
- Open System Settings → Bluetooth.
- With the lid open, wait for the buds to pop up, then click Connect.
- Signed in with the same Apple ID? The buds will show up on the Mac even if they were set up on your phone first.
Pair On Android
- Open Settings → Bluetooth and turn it on.
- Put the buds in pairing mode. Press the rear setup control or use the tap sequence if your case supports it until the light flashes white.
- Tap Pair new device and choose the buds from the list.
Pair On Windows
- Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices.
- Click Add device → Bluetooth.
- Put the earbuds in pairing mode with the case control until the light flashes white, then pick them in the list.
Need a refresher on the exact Windows path? See Windows Bluetooth pairing.
Pair With TVs And Consoles
Many modern TVs and handhelds can send audio to Bluetooth headsets. You’ll open the device’s Bluetooth menu, start discovery, put the buds in pairing mode, and select them. Voice chat can be limited on some consoles since they handle mic input in a different way. For movies or single-player games, you’re good to go.
Fix It When The Pop-Up Doesn’t Appear
Most misses trace back to range, charge, or stale cache entries. Run through this short list and you’ll connect cleanly.
- Shut the lid for 20 seconds, then reopen beside the device.
- Toggle Bluetooth off and back on.
- Forget the earbuds in the Bluetooth list, then pair again.
- Charge the case and both buds for a few minutes.
- Restart the phone, tablet, or computer.
Still stuck? Use a reset. The classic method is the rear setup control: hold it for about 15 seconds until the light goes amber, then white. On the newest case design, you may see a double-tap reset flow on the front panel. The steps go like this: double-tap when the light is on, wait for a white flash, double-tap again, then keep going until you see amber and then white. After that, open the lid near your device and set them up again.
If you’re pairing to an Apple device and the buds still don’t appear, go to Settings → Bluetooth, open Control Center and pick the output from the AirPlay picker, or sign out and back in to iCloud on one device to refresh the audio handoff.
Where The Case Control Lives
The setup control sits on the rear of most charging cases. Hold it until the light switches to a white flash to enter pairing mode for non-Apple devices, or keep holding for a longer amber flash to factory reset. If your case has the newer front tap panel, follow the tap-tap-tap sequence in the reset section when a full reset is needed.
Switch Between Phone, Tablet, And Mac
With iCloud active, these earbuds can switch between Apple devices. When audio starts on another signed-in device, a banner appears; tap to move the stream. For manual control on iPhone or iPad, pull down Control Center, tap the AirPlay icon, then choose the buds. On a Mac, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar, click Bluetooth or Sound, and pick the buds there.
Table Of Reset And Light States
Use this chart to decode the case light and pick the right action. It saves guesswork during pairing and resets.
| Light Or Tone | What It Means | Next Move |
|---|---|---|
| White flashing | Discoverable for pairing | Start pairing on the phone, tablet, TV, or PC |
| Green solid | Charged | Proceed with setup |
| Amber solid | Charging or reset in progress | Give it a minute or complete the reset |
| Amber → white | Factory reset finished | Reopen beside the device and set up again |
| Pairing chime | Audio route confirmed | Test playback |
| Rapid white | Extended pairing window | Complete pairing on the host device |
Tips That Make Pairing Stick
Keep Firmware And OS Current
Updates improve radio behavior and switching. On Apple gear, updates arrive in the background; leave the buds near a signed-in device. On Android or Windows, install OS and Bluetooth driver updates when available.
Clear Old Entries Before A Fresh Pair
If you’ve lent the buds to someone, remove their device entry from the Bluetooth list. Then reset the earbuds so your phone sees a clean slate.
Stay Close During The First Minute
During the first handshake, keep the case within a foot or two of the device. After that, you can move around the room.
Avoid Busy 2.4 GHz Spots
Microwave ovens, USB 3 hubs, and crowded Wi-Fi can add noise. Pair a few steps away, then return to your desk or kitchen.
Use One Earbud When You Need Awareness
Any single bud can carry a call. Keep the spare in the case to charge and swap mid-call if needed.
Work Laptop Pairing Notes
Company devices can block Bluetooth or restrict pairing. If your laptop hides the Bluetooth toggle, you’re likely on a managed build. Use your phone for calls, or ask your admin about the policy for headsets. When pairing is allowed, remove stale entries, add the headset again, and pick it in your call app.
Multiple Phones And Quick Switching
These earbuds can be paired with many devices. They hold several entries and reconnect to the last one in range. If you keep both a work phone and a personal phone nearby, you can steer audio by choosing the buds in each device’s output picker. When a call comes in on your work phone, pick the buds there; after the call, pull down the picker on your personal phone and switch back.
If you see two entries that look alike, delete both, run a full reset, and pair each device one by one. That sequence prevents stale keys from fighting each other.
When You Replace A Case Or A Single Bud
Lost one piece or swapped a case? You can marry the parts. Put both pieces in the case, open the lid, and run the reset flow until the light goes amber and then white. Keep the lid open next to your phone and set up again. If serials still don’t match, a service center can pair them for you; once paired, your devices will see one headset with a single name.
Care Moves That Prevent Pairing Glitches
Keep the charging contacts clean. Wipe the case rails and the bud stems with a dry lint-free cloth. If sweat or rain gets in, dry the set before charging. Avoid strong cleaners near the mesh; canned air can push debris deeper into the grill, so use soft putty or a gentle brush. A clean contact gives the case the best shot at waking the buds for pairing.
Share And Swap On iPhone
When two sets of compatible earbuds are nearby, you can share audio from an iPhone or iPad. Bring the second set close, open the lid, and accept the prompt. Volume sliders appear for both listeners so each person can set a level that suits them.
Step-By-Step Recap
Open the lid beside your Apple device and tap Connect. For Android or Windows, enter Bluetooth settings, put the buds in pairing mode, pick them, and test a song or a call. If pairing stalls, run the reset flow, watch for amber then white, and try once more within arm’s reach.