Wireless earbuds are handy with a laptop for calls, online classes and videos. The steps differ between Windows and macOS, and menu names can change slightly between versions, so use these as a guide alongside your earbuds' manual.
Before you start
- Put the earbuds in pairing mode as the manual describes.
- Make sure the laptop's Bluetooth is on and airplane mode is off.
- If the earbuds are already connected to your phone, disconnect them first, unless they support multipoint (connecting to two devices at once).
Windows 11
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices and check that Bluetooth is On.
- Select Add device, then Bluetooth.
- Choose your earbuds from the list, follow any prompts and select Done.
Shortcut: select the network, sound or battery icon on the taskbar to open Quick Settings, select the arrow on the Bluetooth tile and pick your earbuds under New devices.
Windows 10
- Open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- Select Add Bluetooth or other device, then Bluetooth.
- Choose your earbuds and select Done.
Swift Pair
Earbuds that support Microsoft Swift Pair, such as the Jabra Elite 4, can show a notification when they are nearby in pairing mode; select Connect. If the notification doesn't appear on Windows 11, check that Show notifications to connect using Swift Pair is on under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
Choosing the sound output on Windows
Go to Settings > System > Sound and select your earbuds under Output, or use the arrow next to the volume slider in Quick Settings.
When an app uses the earbuds' microphone, Bluetooth switches to a call mode and music quality drops; this is normal for most Bluetooth earbuds. For better sound on video calls, you can choose the laptop's built-in microphone under Settings > System > Sound > Input.
Mac
- Put the earbuds in pairing mode.
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Bluetooth in the sidebar.
- Hold the pointer over your earbuds in the list and click Connect. If asked, click Accept.
- To choose the output, open Control Centre in the menu bar and click Sound, or go to System Settings > Sound > Output.
Older versions of macOS use System Preferences > Bluetooth instead. If your AirPods are set up on your iPhone and your Mac is signed in with the same Apple Account, they are usually ready to use on the Mac without pairing again.
Using earbuds with a phone and a laptop
Multipoint earbuds can stay connected to both. The OnePlus Buds 3, for example, list dual connection to two devices (Android, iOS or Windows). Without multipoint, disconnect from one device before connecting to the other. Read more in Multipoint and Dual Pairing Explained.
Troubleshooting
- Remove and pair again. On Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices, select the three-dot menu next to the earbuds and choose Remove device. On a Mac, click the info button (i) next to the earbuds in Bluetooth settings and choose Forget This Device.
- Update the laptop. Install pending updates through Settings > Windows Update, or System Settings > General > Software Update on a Mac.
- Stay close. Sit near the laptop while pairing, and restart both the laptop and the earbuds if pairing keeps failing.
Quick answers
Why does audio sound poor during calls on my laptop?
When the earbuds' microphone is in use, Bluetooth switches to a call mode with lower audio quality. Using the laptop's built-in microphone instead keeps better playback quality, though it may pick up more room noise.
Can I use earbuds with a desktop PC that has no Bluetooth?
Yes, if you add Bluetooth with a USB Bluetooth adapter. Then pair the earbuds as described above.
Do AirPods work with Windows laptops?
Yes, as standard Bluetooth earbuds. Put them in pairing mode and add them through the Windows Bluetooth settings. Some Apple-only features won't be available.
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