MacBook Is Not Finding AirPods

Connecting AirPods to a MacBook should normally be a simple process: just open the AirPods case, put the earbuds into pairing mode, and select them from the Mac’s Bluetooth settings. However, sometimes your MacBook does not find AirPods, even when the earbuds are charged and working correctly with another device.

This problem can happen for several reasons. Bluetooth may be temporarily stuck, the AirPods may still be connected to another nearby device, the earbuds may not be in pairing mode, or the Mac may have an old or incorrect Bluetooth connection saved. Software issues with macOS can also prevent the AirPods from appearing in the available devices list.

Fortunately, you can usually fix the problem without any special software or technical knowledge. 

Let’s go for it!

MacBook Is Not Finding AirPods [Do This]

If your MacBook is not finding your AirPods, first make sure the AirPods are charged and placed correctly in their charging case. Then turn on Bluetooth on your MacBook, place the AirPods into pairing mode, and look for them under System Settings > Bluetooth. If they still do not appear, restart both devices, disconnect the AirPods from other devices, forget an existing AirPods connection, reset the AirPods, and install available macOS updates.

Let’s explore the steps in detail!

Step 1: Make Sure Your AirPods Have Enough Charge

Before changing any settings on your MacBook, check whether your AirPods and charging case have enough battery. If the AirPods have a completely drained battery, they may not enter pairing mode correctly or may disappear from the Bluetooth device list.

Place both AirPods inside their charging case and close the lid. Wait for a few seconds, then open the lid again. If your AirPods have a status light, check whether it turns on when you open the case.

If the case itself has very little or no charge, connect it to a charger and let it charge for a while. It is a good idea to give the AirPods and case enough time to charge before trying the connection again.

Once they have some charge, keep both AirPods inside the case and continue to the next step.

Step 2: Turn On Bluetooth on Your MacBook

Your AirPods use Bluetooth to communicate with your MacBook, so Bluetooth must be enabled before the Mac can discover them.

Open the Apple menu in the upper left corner of your Mac’s screen and select System Settings. In the System Settings window, select Bluetooth from the sidebar.

Check the Bluetooth setting. If Bluetooth is turned off, switch it ‘On’. Wait a few seconds after enabling it and check the list of nearby devices.

If your AirPods are already listed, select them and try connecting. If they are not listed, leave the Bluetooth settings window open and move to the next step.

Step 3: Put Your AirPods Into Pairing Mode

One of the most common reasons a MacBook cannot find AirPods is that the earbuds are not actually in Bluetooth pairing mode.

Put both AirPods inside their charging case and leave the lid open. For AirPods models with a setup button on the charging case, press and hold the setup button until the status light flashes white. The flashing white light indicates that the AirPods are ready to be discovered by a nearby Bluetooth device.

Some newer AirPods models use a different interaction on the front of the case rather than a traditional physical button. In that situation, follow the pairing action specified for your particular AirPods model.

Once the indicator shows that the AirPods are ready to pair, return to your MacBook. Open System Settings > Bluetooth and wait for your AirPods to appear under nearby devices.

When you see their name, select Connect.

Step 4: Keep the AirPods Close to Your MacBook

Bluetooth normally works across a reasonable distance, but when you are troubleshooting a connection problem, keep the devices very close together.

Place the AirPods case next to your MacBook. Keep the lid open and make sure the AirPods are still in pairing mode.

Also, move away from other Bluetooth accessories temporarily. If you have several wireless keyboards, mice, headphones, speakers, or other Bluetooth devices nearby, temporarily disconnecting unnecessary accessories can make troubleshooting easier.

Then check the Bluetooth device list on your MacBook again.

Step 5: Disconnect Your AirPods From Your iPhone or Another Device

Your AirPods may not appear as expected because they are actively connected to another nearby device.

For example, if you recently used the AirPods with an iPhone, iPad, or another Mac, that device may still be using the earbuds. Temporarily turn off Bluetooth on the other device or move it farther away.

On an iPhone, you can open Settings > Bluetooth and check whether the AirPods are connected. If they are connected, disconnect them temporarily.

After doing this, put the AirPods back into pairing mode and check the Bluetooth settings on your MacBook.

This is particularly useful when your AirPods automatically connect to your phone whenever you open the charging case.

Step 6: Restart Your MacBook

If Bluetooth appears to be enabled but the MacBook still cannot discover the AirPods, restart the computer.

Select the Apple menu, choose Restart, and wait for macOS to shut down and start again.

After your MacBook has restarted, open System Settings and select Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled.

Now place the AirPods into pairing mode again. Keep the charging case open and wait for the AirPods to appear in the Bluetooth device list.

A restart can clear temporary Bluetooth or macOS processes that may have stopped the AirPods from being discovered.

Step 7: Remove an Old AirPods Connection

If your AirPods were previously connected to the MacBook, macOS may already have an old Bluetooth record for them. A damaged or outdated connection record can sometimes prevent a successful reconnection.

Open Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth. Look for your AirPods under the list of connected or previously connected devices.

If they are listed, select the information button next to the AirPods. Depending on your version of macOS, you may see an option such as Forget This Device or Forget This Device within the device settings.

Choose the option to forget the AirPods and confirm the action if macOS asks you to do so.

After removing the old connection, put the AirPods into pairing mode again. Wait for them to appear as a new Bluetooth device, then select Connect.

This gives your MacBook a fresh Bluetooth pairing instead of attempting to reuse the previous connection.

Step 8: Reset Your AirPods

If your MacBook still cannot find the AirPods, resetting them can solve more persistent pairing problems.

Place both AirPods inside their charging case and close the lid. Wait for approximately 30 seconds and then open the lid.

For AirPods cases that have a setup button, press and hold the button until the status light changes through its normal sequence and eventually flashes white. Continue following the reset process for your particular AirPods model until the case indicates that the earbuds are ready to pair again.

Once the reset is complete, keep the case open near your MacBook. Put the AirPods into pairing mode and open System Settings > Bluetooth.

Look for the AirPods in the available devices list and select Connect.

Remember that resetting the AirPods removes their previous pairing information, so you may need to reconnect them to devices you regularly use.

Step 9: Update macOS

An outdated version of macOS can sometimes cause compatibility, Bluetooth, or device connection problems.

To check for an update, open the Apple menu and select System Settings. Select General and then choose Software Update.

Allow your MacBook to check for available updates. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

Keep your MacBook connected to power if the update is large or takes a significant amount of time. After macOS finishes updating, restart the MacBook if required.

Then place the AirPods into pairing mode and check the Bluetooth settings again.

Step 10: Check Whether Other Bluetooth Devices Work

Try connecting another Bluetooth accessory to your MacBook, such as a Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, or speaker.

If other Bluetooth devices connect normally but your AirPods do not, the problem is more likely related to the AirPods or their saved pairing information.

However, if your MacBook cannot discover or connect to multiple Bluetooth devices, there may be a broader Bluetooth or macOS problem.

In that situation, restarting the MacBook, installing available macOS updates, and removing unnecessary Bluetooth connections are good first troubleshooting steps. If Bluetooth continues to malfunction with several different accessories, consider contacting Apple Support or an Apple-authorized service provider.

Step 11: Try Connecting the AirPods Again

After completing the previous steps, perform a fresh pairing attempt.

Place both AirPods in their case and open the lid. Put the AirPods into pairing mode. On your MacBook, open the Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth.

Wait for the AirPods to appear. When their name appears, select Connect.

If macOS asks for permission or displays additional instructions, follow them carefully. Once connected, you should see the AirPods listed as connected in the Bluetooth settings.

You can then play some audio to confirm that sound is coming through the AirPods.

FAQs

Why is my MacBook not detecting my AirPods?

Your MacBook may not detect AirPods because Bluetooth is disabled, the AirPods are not in pairing mode, the earbuds have low battery, or they are connected to another nearby device. An old Bluetooth pairing record can also cause the problem.

How do I put AirPods into pairing mode?

Place the AirPods inside their charging case, open the lid, and use the appropriate pairing control on the case until the status indicator shows that the AirPods are ready to connect. For cases with a setup button, this normally involves pressing and holding the button until the light flashes white.

Why do my AirPods work with my iPhone but not my MacBook?

If the AirPods work with your iPhone but not your MacBook, the AirPods themselves are probably functioning. The issue may be related to the MacBook’s Bluetooth settings or saved pairing information. Temporarily disconnecting the AirPods from the iPhone and pairing them again with the MacBook can help.

Why are my AirPods not showing under Bluetooth on Mac?

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on and the AirPods are actively in pairing mode. Keep the case close to the MacBook and check the Bluetooth list again. If they still do not appear, reset the AirPods and try pairing them again.

Will resetting AirPods delete everything?

Resetting your AirPods removes their saved pairing information and returns them to a state where they can be paired again. You may need to reconnect them to your MacBook, iPhone, iPad, or other devices afterward.

Can an old macOS version cause AirPods connection problems?

Yes. Software bugs and compatibility problems can affect Bluetooth connections. Installing available macOS updates can improve compatibility and may resolve problems that prevent AirPods from connecting correctly.

Summary

When your MacBook is not finding AirPods, start by checking the AirPods’ battery and making sure Bluetooth is enabled on the MacBook. Next, put the AirPods into pairing mode and keep them close to the computer.

If they still do not appear, temporarily disconnect them from your iPhone or other nearby devices and restart the MacBook. If the AirPods were previously paired with the Mac, remove the old Bluetooth connection and try pairing them again.

For more stubborn problems, reset the AirPods and install the latest available macOS updates. If other Bluetooth devices also fail to connect to the MacBook, the problem may involve the Mac’s Bluetooth system rather than the AirPods themselves.

In most cases, putting the AirPods into pairing mode, removing an old connection, and creating a fresh Bluetooth connection is enough to get them working with your MacBook again.