Apple has made really cool and simple AirPods headphones that can be connected to other Apple devices in a few seconds without any problems. If you have these headphones, then you've probably already seen how easy it is to connect to the same iPhone. The newest on the market are AirPods 2 and AirPods Pro. But today I want to tell you not about the headphones themselves, but about how to connect them to a computer or laptop that runs on Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7. Let's also figure out if these headphones can be used as a headset.
The process of connecting AirPods to Windows is not complicated, but still not as easy as to devices on iOS and Mac OS. I sometimes use my AirPods with a Windows 10 laptop. They are connected via Bluetooth, of course. Therefore, if you do not have a laptop (where Bluetooth is usually already built-in), but a stationary computer, then you need a Bluetooth adapter to connect Apple wireless headphones.
If your laptop or computer does not have Bluetooth, or it does not work, then you will not be able to connect AirPods. Therefore:
- In the case of a laptopwhere the bluetooth module is usually built-in, you just need to install the drivers. In Windows 10, there should be no problems with this, since the drivers are usually installed automatically. It doesn't matter what Windows you have. See if there is a Bluetooth icon in the tray. If there is, then everything is fine, you can connect Airpods. You can also see if there is a corresponding module in the device manager. If Bluetooth is nowhere to be found, then try installing the drivers. Download them from the laptop manufacturer's website for your model. More information in the article How to enable and configure Bluetooth on a laptop with Windows 10 and how to enable Bluetooth on a laptop (there is also information on Windows 8, 8.1 and Windows 7).
- In the case of a PCyou will most likely need to select and buy a Bluetooth adapter. Then, you need to install and configure it: setting up Bluetooth on your computer.
If your computer has Bluetooth (tray icon, section in settings, etc.), then you can proceed to connecting headphones.
Connecting AirPods to Windows 10
You can click on the corresponding icon in the tray and select "Add Bluetooth device", or go to "Options" - "Devices" - "Bluetooth and other devices" tab.
We leave the window with the parameters open, take our AirPods, open the case and hold the round button on the back of the case for three seconds. Keep it pressed until the indicator inside the case starts blinking white.
In Windows settings, click on "Add Bluetooth or other device" and in the new window select "Bluetooth".
The computer should see our Airpods. Click on them and the connection process will immediately go. Upon completion, you just need to click on the "Finish" button.
Everything is ready! Windows is already streaming audio to our wireless headphones. Their status in the setting: AirPods - "Connected voice, music". There you can manually either disable or delete them. After deleting, you will need to repeat the connection process again.
We take them out of the charging case, insert them into the ears and enjoy the music. Only one headphone can be used.
When we hide both headphones in the case and close it, the headphones are automatically disconnected (the connection status is "Paired") and the sound starts playing through the laptop speakers or speaker system. As soon as we open the case with Airpods, they will automatically connect to the computer and the sound goes to the headphones.
Setting up a microphone, working as a headset
In this regard, everything is the same as with other Bluetooth headphones. In Windows 10, I was unable to configure AirPods so that I could listen to music in good quality (Stereo) and the microphone worked.
In the sound options, you can select the input and output device. If you select "AirPods Headset", the headphones will work in headset mode.
If you have connected Airpods to communicate via Skype, then you can set the settings right in the program settings. Choose these headphones as microphone and speakers.
But then the system will not play sounds through the headphones. You need to return all settings back. You may be able to set it up differently. You can share with us in the comments.
In general, in this regard, everything is far from ideal. If you just listen to music, watch movies, etc., then yes, everything works well. But to tune the microphone, you have to tinker. And even then it's not a fact that everything will work out.
Connecting and configuring AirPods on a Windows 7 computer
Since I also have Windows 7 installed on my laptop next to the top ten, I decided to try to connect AirPods to it too. Since there are problems with connecting such new devices.
I did everything as in Windows 10. Just connect a new device. Don't forget to activate pairing mode on the headphones. With a separate button on the case.
But as I expected, Windows 7 couldn't find drivers.
The airpods connected, but with an error (there was a yellow exclamation mark next to them) and they simply did not work.
How did I solve this problem?
Updated the Bluetooth module driver. I went to the device manager, opened the properties of the Generic Bluetooth Adapter and saw that the driver is from 2006. Which Windows 7 itself installed.
Since I know the model of the Wi-Fi / Bluetooth module that is installed in my laptop (I have already changed it), I very quickly downloaded and installed a new driver from the manufacturer's website. If you do not know the model of the module itself, you can try downloading the driver from the laptop manufacturer's website. But strictly for my laptop model. And if you have a USB Bluetooth adapter, download the driver for it.
After updating the driver:
Then I just removed the AirPods from the list of already connected devices (since I already tried to connect them) and established the connection again. And this time Windows 7 installed almost all the drivers. Except "Bluetooth peripheral". But the headphones started working without any problems, despite the fact that there was a yellow exclamation mark next to them.
In playback devices, you need to assign them the "default" status.
This is how I made friends with the new Apple headphones with the not very new operating system from Microsoft. In Windows 10, this is all much easier to connect and configure. Not like on iOS and Mac OS devices, but still without such dances with a tambourine.
We can discuss various problems, settings, solutions, etc. on this topic in the comments. Leave your messages there.
