The AirPods are fantastic wireless Apple devices that can pair with any Bluetooth gadget. Despite being designed to interact with Apple products, AirPods function as standard Bluetooth devices when connected to non-Apple products like Google’s Chromebook. However, connecting AirPods to a Chromebook may not be as easy and straightforward as connecting them to your iPhone or iPad. Therefore, you must know how to connect AirPods to Chromebook the right way.
Even when you follow the basic instructions, numerous hardware and software difficulties may occur, making it challenging for you to use your AirPods with your Chromebook.
Read further to learn how to connect AirPods to Chromebook.
Can AirPods Connect to Chromebook?
Yes, AirPods can connect to Chromebook using Bluetooth.
How to Connect AirPods to a Chromebook?
You can easily pair AirPods with a Chromebook using Bluetooth. However, all Chromebooks do not have Bluetooth; earlier models lacked the Bluetooth functionality. Therefore, you need first to ensure your Chromebook supports Bluetooth.
Click the network symbol directly next to the battery icon at the very bottom of your screen to be sure. In addition, you’ll notice a Bluetooth icon in the pop-up menu if your Chromebook has Bluetooth capabilities.
| Pro Tip: Even if your Chromebook doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth, you can still use a Bluetooth adaptor to link it to your AirPods. The adapter works immediately upon being plugged in and does not need any setup or configuration. |
Follow these steps to connect your AirPods to your Chromebook.
- Place both AirPods inside the AirPods case. Before connecting your AirPods with your Chromebook, ensure they are charged.
- Locate the network icon (it should be right next to the battery symbol) and click it to access the Chromebook’s Fast Settings menu.
- Select the Bluetooth option. If Bluetooth is off, click on the toggle button to activate it.
- Start by pressing and holding the AirPods case’s setup button. When the white LED light begins blinking, release the button.
- On your Chromebook’s screen, please wait for the name of your AirPods to show up on the list of unpaired devices before clicking on it. In a few seconds, your Chromebook and AirPods will link. A pop-up verifying a successful pairing will appear in a few seconds.
- You will be able to hear sounds from your Chromebook via your headphones (AirPods); as soon as the AirPods and Chromebook are paired. You may adjust the volume of your AirPods by using the volume controls on your laptop.
If you have already paired your AirPods with your Chromebook, you won’t have to do it again. Instead, you need to follow these steps to connect them.
- Ensure the AirPods are near the Chromebook and their case is open.
- By selecting the network symbol in the bottom right corner of your screen, you may access the Quick Settings menu on your Chromebook.
- Select the Bluetooth option. As soon as your Chromebook detects paired devices, it will display a list.
- Select the name of your AirPods.
- Follow or accept any on-screen directions to connect AirPods with Chromebook.
Why Won’t My AirPods Connect to my Chromebook?
If you’ve followed all the steps outlined above yet facing issues connecting AirPods to Chromebook, here are a few issues that may need your attention:
- Connection problems
- Software upgrades for the Chrome OS
- AirPods getting linked to a nearby Apple iPhone or iPad
- Incorrect audio output configuration
- Empty or low battery
However, you don’t need to worry. If there are issues, there are quick fixes too and we’ll discuss each quick fix in detail.
Try Connecting Your AirPods Again
There may be a problem with your Chromebook’s Bluetooth connection if it cannot recognize and pair with your AirPods. Therefore, turning Bluetooth off and on again may help.
Follow these steps to disable Bluetooth on your Chromebook:
- Click the network symbol in the lower right corner of your screen to access the Quick Settings menu.
- Choose the Bluetooth icon.
- Then, press the toggle button to disable Bluetooth. Turn it back on and resume the pairing procedure explained in the previous section. Additionally, restarting your Chromebook before retrying the connection may assist.
Update Your Chromebook’s Operating System
Your Chromebook may not work as intended if its operating system is out of date or if an incomplete software upgrade is still in progress. Moreover, this may impact other features, like Bluetooth connection and audio output.
You must update the operating system to ensure that your Chromebook functions without any hiccups. Here’s how you can check updates for your Chromebook:
- Ensure your Chromebook has a consistent internet connection.
- Select the Settings icon to access the Quick Settings menu from the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Go to Chrome OS > About. It will display the version number you are now using. Some bugs may appear with older software, so make sure you’re using the latest version, 104.0.5112.57, published on July 6, 2022.
- Select the Updates option. If an update is available, it will be downloaded automatically.
If you have downloaded an update for your Chromebook, you will need to your Chromebook to install the update completely. When you click “Restart to Update,” your computer will restart, and the update will be applied automatically.
Disconnect AirPods From Apple Devices Nearby
Your AirPods’ compatibility with your Chromebook may get hampered if they’re also connected to other iOS devices (the latter connection is stronger since both devices are Apple products).
Therefore, if you want to increase the likelihood of your Chromebook connecting to your Apple AirPods, disconnecting your AirPods from nearby Apple devices is a good first step. Simply turning off Bluetooth or forgetting the AirPods on each iOS device will remove them from the system.
On iOS, follow these steps to forget your AirPods (Gen 1,2,3 or AirPods Pro):
- Pair AirPods with an iOS device.
- Navigate to the Settings menu on your iOS device to enable Bluetooth.
- By your AirPods, choose the “More Info” option.
- Then, confirm by tapping the Forget This Device button again. Your AirPods will no longer be able to connect to any other iOS devices linked to the same Apple ID.
- The iOS devices will not automatically connect or detect your AirPods after you use the “Forget Device” feature unless you pair them. As a result, they won’t obstruct your efforts to link your AirPods with your Chromebook.
Reset the Apple AirPods
If the previous steps don’t help your AirPods connect to your Chromebook, you’ll need to reset them.
By doing a factory reset, you will remove all saved information about your paired devices from your AirPods. Further, this will guarantee no trouble connecting your Chromebook to the internet. In addition, it aids in fixing problems with sound and power.
Follow these easy steps to reset your AirPods (1st, 2nd, or 3rd gen) or AirPods Pro:
- Place both AirPods in the charging case while leaving the lid open.
- The AirPods case’s rear is where you’ll find the Setup button.
- Press and hold the Setup button for 15 seconds or until the amber status light stops blinking and becomes white.
- Close the case’s charging cover. Your AirPods have been completely reset.
- Restart your Chromebook once you have reset the AirPods, then attach them through the following pairing procedure.
Here’s how you can reset AirPods Max:
- While holding down the Noise Control and Digital Crown buttons, wait for the light to flash amber for 15 seconds.
- When the LED becomes white, let go of the buttons. Your AirPods Max has just been completely reset.
Manage Audio Output
The term “audio output” describes how sound from your Chromebook goes to an external device, such as a stereo system, headphones, or an external screen.
If you have paired your AirPods properly with your Chromebook but still don’t hear any sound, try switching the audio output.
Fortunately, you can easily take care of this issue by enabling the AirPods in Chrome OS’s Audio Settings.
- You may access the Quick Settings menu by selecting the network symbol in the lower right corner of your screen. The volume slider has a headphone icon next to it.
- Select the headphones icon.
- The Audio Settings menu will appear and show all available output choices, including wired headphones, Bluetooth devices, and external monitor speakers. You may choose between audio output and input devices.
- Select AirPods as the output audio device. You may now use your AirPods to listen to any audio playing on your Chromebook.
Please note: Some functionalities won’t function since AirPods aren’t inherently compatible with Chromebooks. These consist of the following:
- Spatial audio
- Double-tap individualization
- Siri
- Switching between devices automatically
- Automatic detection of the ear
- Rapid battery checking
You can use your AirPods with your Chromebook and still get high-quality audio, complete with Active Noise Cancelation.
Final Words
Though Apple’s native environment is the greatest place for AirPods to thrive, some workarounds allow you to listen to their high-quality sound on a Chromebook. So you need to ensure that your Chromebook has the Bluetooth capability, and you’ll be all set.
