AirPods are wireless earbuds that can connect to various devices via Bluetooth. To pair AirPods with a device, you need to put them in discoverable mode first. This mode allows your AirPods to be detected by other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
| Device | Steps |
|---|---|
| iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch | 1. Turn on Bluetooth in Settings. 2. Open the case with AirPods inside, then hold it next to the device. 3. Follow the onscreen instructions, then tap Done. |
| Apple Watch | 1. Open the Settings app, then tap Bluetooth. 2. Tap AirPods on the Bluetooth screen to connect. |
| Mac | 1. Open the case with AirPods inside, then hold it next to the Mac. 2. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about five seconds, or until the status light flashes white. 3. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. 4. Select your AirPods, then click Connect. |
| Apple TV | 1. Press on the Siri Remote, then select Settings. 2. Select Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth. 3. Open your AirPods case, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about five seconds, or until the status light flashes white. 4. Select your AirPods below Other Devices. |
| Android phone or tablet | 1. Turn on Bluetooth in Settings or Quick Settings. 2. Open the case with AirPods inside, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about five seconds, or until the status light flashes white. 3. Select Pair a New Device in Bluetooth settings. 4. Select your AirPods from the list of available devices. |
| Windows PC or laptop | 1. Turn on Bluetooth in Settings or Action Center. 2. Open the case with AirPods inside, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about five seconds, or until the status light flashes white. 3. Select Add Bluetooth or other device in Bluetooth settings. 4. Select your AirPods from the list of available devices. |
How does the discoverable mode on AirPods work, and what are the various ways to activate it?
The discoverable mode on AirPods works by flashing a white light inside the charging case or on the ear cups of the AirPods Max. This indicates that your AirPods are ready to pair with another device.
There are different ways to activate the discoverable mode on AirPods, depending on the model and the device you want to pair them with.
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If you have AirPods (all generations) or AirPods Pro (all generations), you can activate the discoverable mode by doing the following:
- Put the AirPods inside the charging case and keep the lid open.
- Press and hold the circular button on the back of the case near the logo.
- Wait for the light inside the case to flash white.
- Your AirPods are now in discoverable mode and ready to pair with other devices.
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If you have AirPods Max, you can activate the discoverable mode by doing the following:
- Press and hold the noise control button for about five seconds, or until the status light flashes white.
- Your AirPods Max are now in discoverable mode and ready to pair with other devices.
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If you want to pair your AirPods with an Apple device that is signed in with the same Apple ID as your iPhone, you don’t need to activate the discoverable mode manually. You can simply select your AirPods from the list of available audio devices on your iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or Apple TV. This requires that you have Handoff enabled on your Mac and iCloud enabled on your other Apple devices.
What are the troubleshooting steps to follow if AirPods are not showing up as discoverable during the pairing process?
If your AirPods are not showing up as discoverable during the pairing process, you can try some of these troubleshooting steps:
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Make sure that your AirPods have enough battery charge. You can check the battery level by opening the lid of the charging case near your iPhone or iPad, or by swiping down from the top right corner of your iPhone or iPad screen and tapping on the battery widget.
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Make sure that your Bluetooth is turned on on your device. You can turn it on by going to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, or by clicking on the Bluetooth icon on your Mac’s menu bar.
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Make sure that your device is compatible with your AirPods. You can check the compatibility requirements for each model of AirPods here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208729
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Make sure that your device is not already paired with another Bluetooth device. You can unpair any unwanted devices by going to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device, or by clicking on the Bluetooth icon on your Mac’s menu bar and choosing “Disconnect”.
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Make sure that your AirPods are not too far away from your device. The optimal range for Bluetooth pairing is about 10 meters (33 feet).
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Make sure that there are no physical obstructions or interferences between your AirPods and your device. Avoid placing them near metal objects, microwave ovens, wireless routers, or other sources of electromagnetic waves.
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Reset your AirPods by following these steps:
- Put your AirPods back in the charging case and close the lid.
- Wait for about 15 seconds and then open the lid again.
- Press and hold the button on the back of the case for about 10 seconds, or until the light inside the case flashes amber and then white.
- Your AirPods are now reset and ready to pair again.
Are there any specific devices or operating systems that might have compatibility issues with AirPods’ discoverable mode, and how can one address these challenges?
AirPods are designed to work seamlessly with Apple devices running iOS 10 or later, iPadOS 13 or later, watchOS 3 or later, tvOS 11 or later, or macOS Sierra or later. However, they can also work with other devices that support Bluetooth audio, such as Android phones, Windows PCs, Chromebooks, or smart TVs.
However, some features of AirPods may not be available or fully functional on non-Apple devices, such as Siri, automatic ear detection, spatial audio, or battery notifications. You may also experience some issues with the sound quality, connection stability, or latency of your AirPods on non-Apple devices.
To address these challenges, you can try some of these tips:
- Update your device’s software to the latest version. This may fix some bugs or compatibility issues with your AirPods.
- Adjust your device’s audio settings to optimize the sound quality and volume of your AirPods. You can do this by going to Settings > Sound on your Android device, or by clicking on the speaker icon on your Windows PC or Chromebook.
- Use a third-party app to access some features of AirPods that are not supported by your device’s native software. For example, you can use the AirBattery app on Android to see the battery level of your AirPods, or the Assistant Trigger app to use Google Assistant instead of Siri on your AirPods.
- Avoid using multiple Bluetooth devices at the same time on your device. This may cause interference or confusion with your AirPods’ connection.
- Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store if you suspect that your AirPods are defective or damaged. They may be able to diagnose and repair your AirPods or offer a replacement if needed.
Can the discoverable mode of AirPods be disabled, and if so, how can users control the visibility of their AirPods during Bluetooth pairing?
The discoverable mode of AirPods cannot be disabled completely, as it is necessary for pairing them with new devices. However, you can control the visibility of your AirPods during Bluetooth pairing by doing the following:
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If you want to prevent your AirPods from being discovered by other devices, you can do one of the following:
- Close the lid of the charging case while your AirPods are inside. This will turn off the discoverable mode and disconnect your AirPods from any paired devices.
- Take out your AirPods from the charging case and put them in your ears. This will connect them to the last paired device and stop them from being discoverable by other devices.
- Turn off Bluetooth on your device. This will disconnect your AirPods from any paired devices and stop them from being discoverable by other devices.
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If you want to allow your AirPods to be discovered by other devices, you can do one of the following:
- Open the lid of the charging case while your AirPods are inside. This will activate the discoverable mode for about five minutes and allow other devices to detect and pair with your AirPods.
- Press and hold the button on the back of the charging case or the noise control button on the AirPods Max for about five seconds. This will activate the discoverable mode for about five minutes and allow other devices to detect and pair with your AirPods.
- Turn on Bluetooth on your device. This will allow your device to scan for nearby Bluetooth devices and pair with your AirPods if they are in discoverable mode.