Apple in March 2019 debuted second-generation AirPods, featuring several updates over the original massively popular wireless earbuds of the same name. Then, in October 2019, Apple launched the AirPods Pro, a higher-end version of its existing AirPods with a unique design, noise cancellation technology, better sound, and a more expensive $249 price tag.

If you've just received a version of AirPods earbuds, you'll be raring to use them to listen to music, take phone calls, use Siri, and more. Keep reading to learn how to set up and connect them to your devices.

airpods2

Update Your Software

As mentioned, Apple's second-generation AirPods include new features not seen in the previous model, and ‌AirPods Pro‌ have additional features of their own, but to use them you'll need to make sure your devices are running the latest software.

On iOS devices:

If you want to use your new AirPods with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, make sure you're running iOS 12.2 or later. If you've got ‌AirPods Pro‌, make sure you're running iOS 13.2 or later or iPadOS 13.2 or later.

software update ios 12
To check that your device's software is up to date, launch the Settings app and then select General -> Software Update, and download any available updates if necessary.

On Mac:

To use second-generation AirPods with your Mac, it needs to be running macOS 10.14.4 or later. For ‌AirPods Pro‌, you need to be running macOS 10.15.1 or later. To check that your machine is up to date with the latest software, select System Preferences... from the Apple () menu in the top-left corner of the screen, and then click Software Update in the preferences window.

macos mojave software update
If your Mac finds an update is available, click the Update Now button to download the software and allow the software to install when prompted.

Set Up New AirPods on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Before you can begin using your new AirPods with your iOS devices, there are a few quick steps you need to perform.

  1. Unlock your ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or iPod touch. If your device is already unlocked, navigate to the Home screen.
  2. Bring the AirPods or ‌AirPods Pro‌ case – with the AirPods inside – close to your device and open the case lid.
    airpods2heysiri

  3. Wait for the setup animation to appear on your device's screen.
  4. Tap Connect, then tap Done.
  5. If you haven't set up "Hey ‌Siri‌" already on your device, you'll be guided through the setup.

And that's all there is to it. Your AirPods or ‌AirPods Pro‌ should now pair seamlessly with your device whenever you go to use them. Note that if you're signed in to iCloud, your AirPods or ‌AirPods Pro‌ will be set up automatically with any of your supported devices that are signed in to ‌iCloud‌ with the same Apple ID.

Connect New AirPods to Your Mac

If you've set up your AirPods or ‌AirPods Pro‌ with your ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or iPod touch and your Mac is signed in to ‌iCloud‌ with the same ‌Apple ID‌, then your AirPods should be ready to use with your Mac. In that case, all you you need to do is put your AirPods in your ears, click the Bluetooth icon in your Mac's menu bar, select your AirPods or ‌AirPods Pro‌ from the dropdown list, and click Connect.

how to pair airpods with your mac
If you don't see your AirPods in the Bluetooth menu, check out our dedicated how-to article on how to pair AirPods manually with your Mac and customize the gesture controls.

Connect New AirPods to Android Devices

You can use AirPods and ‌AirPods Pro‌ with Android smartphones and other devices. You won't be able to use "Hey ‌Siri‌" but you can use them to listen and talk. Check out our special guideo learn how to use AirPods on Android, as well as the benefits, the downsides, and how well AirPods work on non-Apple devices.

Related Roundups: AirPods 4, AirPods Pro
Related Forum: AirPods

Top Rated Comments

Leehowell1983 Avatar
76 months ago
Does anyone know if I need to delete my old AirPods before pairing my new ones?
No i have connected both at the same time. It switches between them when u put them in
[doublepost=1553599010][/doublepost]
Yeah just tested, needs the latest version of watchOS. Guess that means release must be today.
5.2 is out

Attachment Image
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sheza Avatar
76 months ago
Do we have to unpair our first gen AirPods??
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
justabrake Avatar
76 months ago
I had ordered these because I walk by water sometime works great holds very well

Attachment Image
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
c.leonard66h Avatar
76 months ago
Can't use new AirPods on Apple Watch yet. As requires watchOS 5.2 which isn't yet publicly available.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
pcmike Avatar
76 months ago
It would be great if we could pick these up today at the Apple store...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iConnected Avatar
76 months ago
Ya, my local store just finally has availability. Going to pick them up now.
Cool. Very pleased with mine. Am sure you will be too. :)
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18

iOS 18.3 Coming Soon: Here's What's New

Monday January 13, 2025 5:33 am PST by
iOS 18.3 is currently in beta for developers and public beta testers. So far, the upcoming iPhone software update is very minor in scope. Below, we outline what is new in iOS 18.3 so far. The only potential new feature coming to iPhones with iOS 18.3 so far is robot vacuum support in the Home app, but this functionality is not yet live. Apple is laying the groundwork for the feature,...
new magsafe charger

Apple Releases Updated MagSafe Charger Firmware

Tuesday January 14, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple today released new firmware designed for the 25W MagSafe Charger that is compatible with the iPhone 12 and later and the latest AirPods and Apple Watch models. The updated firmware is version 2A143, up from the 2A138 firmware that the accessory shipped with. In the Settings app, you'll see a different version number than the internal firmware number. The 2024 MagSafe charger was...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Launching Later This Year With These 10 New Features

Wednesday January 15, 2025 7:16 am PST by
While the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" is not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the "ultra-thin" device. Overall, the "iPhone 17 Air" is shaping up to be a mixed bag. Due to its thinness, the device is expected to have some limited specifications compared to the iPhone 17 Pro models, including only a single rear camera, only a single speaker, no SIM...
iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 8 New Features

Thursday January 9, 2025 5:45 am PST by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro concept based on rumors Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of January 2025: More aluminum: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models ...
HomePod mini and Apple TV

HomePod Mini 2 and New Apple TV Launch Timeframe Narrowed Down

Sunday January 12, 2025 4:11 pm PST by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently reported that Apple plans to release new HomePod mini and Apple TV models this year, and now he has provided a more precise timeframe. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman said Apple is currently aiming to launch the new HomePod mini and Apple TV models "toward the end of the year." That timeframe suggests the devices will be released at some point...
severance new york promo 1

Apple Promotes Severance Season 2 Premiere With Lumon Industries Pop-Up and Visits From Actors

Tuesday January 14, 2025 3:47 pm PST by
Ahead of the season two premiere of hit TV show Severance, Apple is marketing the show with a fun Severance pop-up at the Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Apple has assembled a glass cube with workstations that are identical to the setups that Lumon employees use on the show, complete with employees "working," doing yoga, playing catch, throwing paper airplanes, sipping coffee, and...
airpods pro 2 gradient

AirPods Pro 3 Expected This Year: Here's What We Know

Wednesday January 8, 2025 7:05 am PST by
Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro 3 expected to launch sometime in 2025, anyone thinking of buying Apple's premium earbuds may be wondering if the next generation is worth holding out for. Apart from their audio and noise-canceling performance, which are generally regarded as...
General Apps Messages Redux

Phishing Attacks Use This Simple Trick to Defeat iPhone Message Security

Monday January 13, 2025 6:11 am PST by
A new social engineering tactic is being used by cybercriminals to trick iPhone users into disabling iMessage's built-in phishing protection, in a bid to expose them to malicious links and scams, according to BleepingComputer. The scam exploits a security feature in iMessage that automatically disables links from unknown senders. Apple told the outlet that when users reply to these messages...