How to Set Up Apple AirPods

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

AirPods are the first completely wireless earphones from Apple, and the perfect companion for handsets such as the iPhone X and iPhone 8, which don’t have a traditional 3.5mm headphone socket. They can also be used with non-Apple mobile devices. This guide will take you through basic setup steps to help you get your AirPods up and running.

Apple Airpods.

2. Charge AirPods

To charge your AirPods, all you have to do is put them back in the charging case. The case comes with a built-in battery so you can get up to 24 hours of total listening time. To charge the case, just connect it to the Lightning cable that came with it and plug that into a USB port. According to Apple, charging the AirPods for 15 minutes in the case should get you about three hours of music time.

  • To keep your AirPods charged, put them in the case when you're not using them.
Apple AirPods in their case.
  • You can charge both your AirPods and the case at the same time by plugging the case in to an Apple Lightning to USB cable.
USB power adapter connected to AirPods case.

3. Introduction

Pairing your Apple AirPods with your mobile device is simple and easy. Before proceeding, we must determine what kind of device your Apple AirPods will be paired with.

Apple AirPods.

4. Enable Bluetooth

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
Settings icon.
  1. Then tap Bluetooth.
iOS settings with Bluetooth selected.
  1. Make sure Bluetooth is set to On.
Bluetooth settings with Bluetooth switch in ON position.

5. Pair with iOS

  1. Go to the Home screen.
  2. Open the case—with your AirPods inside—and hold it next to your iPhone.
  3. A setup animation appears on your iPhone.
  4. Tap Connect, then tap Done.
Apple AirPods near an iPhone. The iPhone displays an AirPods prompt with a connect button.

Once this setup has completed, if your device is signed in to iCloud, your AirPods are also automatically set up with any of your supported devices that are signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID.

6. How to Use Your Apple AirPods Wireless Headset

Show Me How

Clicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

7. Enable Bluetooth

  1. Swipe down on your screen (or up, if using a tablet) to access the menu.
  2. Hold down on the Bluetooth icon to bring up Bluetooth options.
Android pull down screen with Bluetooth icon highlighted. Screenshot.
  1. Ensure the Bluetooth switch is set to ON.
Android pull down screen with Bluetooth toggle highlighted. Screenshot.

8. Prepare to Pair

To set up your AirPods with a non-Apple device or a device that isn't logged in to your iCloud account, follow these steps:

  1. Put the AirPods in the case if they're not already there.
  2. Close and then open the case.
  3. Press the set up button on the back of the AirPods case until the status light inside the case flashes white.
Apple AirPods case with the lid open displaying an illuminated white light.
  1. You AirPods are now ready to be paired with another device via Bluetooth.
Apple AirPods case with the lid open shown beside android mobile devices.

9. Pair Bluetooth Devices

Some Bluetooth accessories are configured with a PIN or a passkey that is often listed in its manual. Check your Bluetooth accessory manual for the correct PIN or passkey.

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar to all Android devices and generations.

Use one of the following connection methods:

  • Method 1 - The Drop Down Menu
  • Method 2 - Settings

Drop down menu

  1. Swipe down from the top of the device screen if it's a phone or up from the bottom of the device screen if it's a tablet to access the menu.
  2. Locate the Bluetooth icon.
Bluetooth icon.
  1. Press and hold the Bluetooth icon.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.


  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

Android menu settings

  1. Locate and tap the Apps Menu.
Android apps icon.
  1. Locate and tap the Settings icon.
Android Settings icon.
  1. Select the Bluetooth. You may need to select Connections first.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.
  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.