Once you pair your AirPods or AirPods 2 to an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or Apple TV, the wireless earphones will attempt to connect to that device again the next time you use them.

airpods apple watch duo
Some Bluetooth headphones are capable of switching automatically between multiple paired devices depending on which one is playing audio. However, AirPods will only perform this function between your ‌iPhone‌ and Apple Watch. In all other cases, AirPods will simply attempt to link up to the last-connected device.

If you want your AirPods to connect to another Apple device they've paired up with in the past, you have to do it manually. Keep reading to learn how.

Before you begin, make sure you've paired your AirPods to at least one of the devices you want to switch between. AirPods sync pairing information through your iCloud account, enabling them to be connected to your other Apple devices without the need for any additional pairing.

If you aren't already wearing your AirPods, make sure to at least flip the lid open on the charging case before continuing.

How to Switch AirPods Output to an iOS Device

To connect your AirPods to an iOS device, launch the Control Center: On ‌iPad‌, swipe down from the right corner of the screen; on ‌iPhone‌ 8 or earlier, swipe up from the bottom of the screen; or on ‌iPhone‌ X or later, swipe down from the upper right "ear".

connect airpods to iphone
Next, tap the small AirPlay icon in the upper right corner of the playback controls panel, and in the next screen, select your AirPods from the devices list.

How to Switch AirPods Output to a Mac

To connect your AirPods to your Mac, click the Volume icon or the Bluetooth icon in your Mac's menu bar, select your AirPods in the dropdown list, and click Connect.

how to pair airpods with your mac
Note: If you don't see the volume or Bluetooth icon in your Mac's menu bar, launch System Preferences and click the Sound or Bluetooth pane, then tick the checkbox next to Show volume in menu bar or Show Bluetooth in menu bar.

How to Switch AirPods Output to Apple TV

To connect your AirPods to ‌Apple TV‌, navigate to the ‌Apple TV‌ Home screen, hold the Play/Pause button on your ‌Apple TV‌ Remote, and then select your AirPods from the panel list that appears.

airpodsappletv

How to Switch AirPods Output to Apple Watch

As mentioned above, AirPods connected to your ‌iPhone‌ will automatically switch to your Apple Watch if you play audio directly from the smartwatch. However, you can also manually connect to Apple Watch at any time using the following method.

  1. On your Apple Watch, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to bring up the Control Center. (If you're in an app, touch and hold the bottom edge of the screen, then drag up the Control Center pane with your finger.)
    apple watch airpods connect

  2. Tap the ‌AirPlay‌ icon (the small triangle with concentric circles on top).
  3. Select your AirPods from the list of devices.
Related Roundup: AirPods 4
Buyer's Guide: AirPods (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...