{"id":5262,"date":"2026-04-09T23:23:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T21:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/?p=5262"},"modified":"2026-04-09T23:23:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T21:23:48","slug":"airpods-not-connecting-to-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/airpods-ne-se-connectent-plus-mac\/","title":{"rendered":"AirPods that no longer connect"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"article-blog\">\n\n<h1>AirPods that won't connect to your Mac: all the solutions<\/h1>\n\n<div class=\"article-meta\">Reading : 11 min | Troubleshooting<\/div>\n\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/airpods-ne-se-connect-plus-mac.webp\" alt=\"AirPods that no longer connect to the Mac: troubleshooting guide\" title=\"Complete solutions for repairing the AirPods connection on a Mac\" width=\"1200\" height=\"568\" loading=\"eager\">\n\n<div class=\"answer-box\">\nIn summary: if your AirPods refuse to connect to your Mac, first check that they're charged and working with your iPhone. On the Mac, go to System Settings \u2192 Bluetooth, forget about your AirPods, then re-pair them by holding down the back button on the case until the light flashes white. If the sound doesn't come through despite the connection, check the audio output in System Settings \u2192 Sound. For frequent disconnections, the culprit is often the shared auto-pairing between your Apple devices.\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"toc-box\">\n<strong>Contents<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#diagnostic\">Diagnose the problem in 30 seconds<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#compatibilite\">Check macOS compatibility<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#reappairage\">Correctly unpair and re-pair<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#reinitialiser\">Reset AirPods completely<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#son-ne-passe-pas\">When the sound doesn't come through despite the connection<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#deconnexions\">AirPods constantly disconnecting<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#firmware\">Updating AirPods firmware<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\">Frequently asked questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 id=\"diagnostic\">Diagnose the problem in 30 seconds<\/h2>\n\n<p>Before doing anything, find out where the problem lies. The quickest test is to try connecting your AirPods to another Apple device - typically your iPhone.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Rapid diagnostic test<\/h3>\n\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Take your AirPods out of the case<\/strong> and place them in your ears.<\/li>\n<li>On your iPhone, check if they connect automatically (Control centre \u2192 AirPlay).<\/li>\n<li>Play some music to confirm that the sound works.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p><strong>If your AirPods work on iPhone but not on Mac :<\/strong> the problem is with the Mac. Go to the \u00abUnpairing and re-pairing correctly\u00bb section below.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>If your AirPods don't work on either Mac or iPhone :<\/strong> the problem is with the AirPods themselves. Go to the section entitled \u00abResetting AirPods completely\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n<p><strong>If your AirPods connect to the Mac but the sound doesn't play :<\/strong> This is a problem with the audio output selection. Go to the section \u00abWhen the sound does not come through despite the connection\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"compatibilite\">Check macOS compatibility<\/h2>\n\n<p>Apple has regularly updated the minimum macOS requirements for each generation of AirPods. If your Mac is running too old a version, some AirPods will simply refuse to connect.<\/p>\n\n<table class=\"tg-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>AirPods model<\/th>\n<th>macOS minimum requirements<\/th>\n<th>Full functionality with<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span class=\"cell-label\">1st generation AirPods<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Sierra 10.12<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">macOS Catalina or later<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span class=\"cell-label\">2nd generation AirPods<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Mojave 10.14.4<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">macOS Catalina or later<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span class=\"cell-label\">3rd generation AirPods<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Monterey 12<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">macOS Monterey or later<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span class=\"cell-label\">AirPods 4 (both models)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Sequoia 15<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Latest version of macOS<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span class=\"cell-label\">AirPods Pro 1st generation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Catalina 10.15.1<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">macOS Big Sur or later<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span class=\"cell-label\">AirPods Pro 2nd generation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Ventura 13<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Latest version of macOS<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span class=\"cell-label\">AirPods Pro 3rd generation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Sequoia 15 or newer<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Latest version of macOS<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span class=\"cell-label\">AirPods Max<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Big Sur 11.1<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span class=\"cell-desc\">Latest version of macOS<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<p>To check your macOS version: Apple menu \u2192 About this Mac. If your Mac is too old to support a version compatible with your AirPods, you'll need to use alternative Bluetooth headphones or upgrade your Mac.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"reappairage\">Correctly unpair and re-pair<\/h2>\n\n<p>This is the most effective solution for resolving connection problems. Clean re-pairing\u00ab involves completely deleting the existing pairing and then starting again from scratch.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Step 1: Forget the AirPods<\/h3>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Click on the Apple menu \u2192 <strong>System settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Click on <strong>Bluetooth<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Find your AirPods in the list of devices.<\/li>\n<li>Hover over the name \u2192 click on the <strong>i<\/strong> (info) \u2192 <strong>Forget this peripheral<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Please confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h3>Step 2: Put the AirPods in pairing mode<\/h3>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Place the <strong>two AirPods in the charging case<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Close the lid.<\/li>\n<li>Wait 15 seconds.<\/li>\n<li>Open the lid.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 :<\/strong> tap the front of the box twice until the status light flashes white.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For other models :<\/strong> hold down the configuration button on the back of the box until the LED flashes white (about 10 seconds).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h3>Step 3: Connect to the Mac<\/h3>\n\n<ol>\n<li>On the Mac, go back to <strong>System Settings \u2192 Bluetooth<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Your AirPods should appear in the list of detected devices.<\/li>\n<li>Click on <strong>Connect<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Put your AirPods in your ears and test the sound.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/airpod-pairing-mac-bluetooth.webp\" alt=\"How to pair AirPods with a Mac\" title=\"How to re-pair AirPods with a Mac\" width=\"1200\" height=\"568\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\n<h2 id=\"reinitialiser\">Reset AirPods completely<\/h2>\n\n<p>If the simple re-pairing did not work, or if your AirPods do not connect to any device, a complete reset is necessary. This procedure erases all the data stored in the AirPods and returns them to their factory state.<\/p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Place both AirPods in the case and <strong>close the lid<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Wait 30 seconds.<\/li>\n<li>Open the lid.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For AirPods 4 and Pro 3 :<\/strong> tap the front of the box twice and hold for 15 seconds until the LED flashes orange and then white.<\/li>\n<li><strong>For other models :<\/strong> hold down the back button on the box for <strong>15 seconds<\/strong>, until the status LED flashes orange and then white.<\/li>\n<li>Your AirPods have now been reset.<\/li>\n<li>On all your Apple devices connected to your Apple ID, delete the AirPods (Bluetooth \u2192 Forget).<\/li>\n<li>Re-pair your AirPods like new.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<div class=\"info-box warning\">\n<strong>Important information:<\/strong> don't forget step 7. Your AirPods are synchronised via iCloud with all your Apple devices connected to the same ID. If you only delete them on the Mac, they will continue to be recognised by your iPhone and iPad - which can cause pairing conflicts.\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 id=\"son-ne-passe-pas\">When the sound doesn't come through despite the connection<\/h2>\n\n<p>Your AirPods are connected to the Mac (you see the green Bluetooth icon), but the sound is coming out of the internal speakers or nothing is coming out at all. It's an audio output selection problem, not a connection problem.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Quick solution<\/h3>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Click on the icon <strong>Control centre<\/strong> in the menu bar (two switches).<\/li>\n<li>Click on <strong>Sound<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Under \u00abOutput\u00bb, select your <strong>AirPods<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>The sound should change immediately.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h3>If the quick fix doesn't work<\/h3>\n\n<ol>\n<li>Go to <strong>System settings \u2192 Sound \u2192 Output<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Select your AirPods from the list.<\/li>\n<li>Check that the <strong>output volume<\/strong> is not zero and the <strong>Mute<\/strong> is not ticked.<\/li>\n<li>If your AirPods are not on the list, disconnect them and reconnect them.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p>For more general sound problems, see our article <a href=\"\/en\/mac-sound-not-working\/\">More sound on the Mac: 10 solutions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"deconnexions\">AirPods constantly disconnecting<\/h2>\n\n<p>If your AirPods connect correctly but disconnect every few seconds or minutes, the problem is different. Here are the most common causes and their solutions.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Cause 1: iCloud pairing that toggles between devices<\/h3>\n\n<p>Your AirPods are synchronised via iCloud, so they switch automatically between Mac, iPhone and iPad. If you receive a call or notification on your iPhone, the AirPods may leave the Mac to connect to it. To avoid this behaviour:<\/p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>On your iPhone, go to <strong>Settings \u2192 Bluetooth<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Click on the <strong>i<\/strong> next to your AirPods.<\/li>\n<li>Tap on <strong>Connect to this iPhone<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Choose <strong>When last connected to this iPhone<\/strong> instead of \u00abAutomatic\u00bb.<\/li>\n<li>Do the same on your iPad and other Apple devices.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h3>Cause 2: USB-C or USB 3.0 interference<\/h3>\n\n<p>USB-C and USB 3.0 ports emit interference on the 2.4 GHz band used by Bluetooth. If you have an external hard drive, USB-C hub or dongle connected close to the Mac, move them or use shielded cables.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Cause 3: virtual inputs and outputs<\/h3>\n\n<p>Some applications (Loopback, Soundflower, Krisp, professional audio plug-ins) install \u00abvirtual audio devices\u00bb which can disrupt the stability of the AirPods connection. Check System Settings \u2192 Sound to see if any virtual inputs or outputs appear and temporarily disable them to test.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Cause 4: Obsolete firmware<\/h3>\n\n<p>See the section below on updating the firmware.<\/p>\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/airpods-mac-deconnections-resolution.webp\" alt=\"Resolving frequent AirPods disconnections on the Mac\" title=\"Why my AirPods are disconnecting and how to fix it\" width=\"1200\" height=\"568\" loading=\"lazy\">\n\n<h2 id=\"firmware\">Updating AirPods firmware<\/h2>\n\n<p>Apple regularly releases firmware updates for AirPods, often correcting connectivity issues. The problem: there's no manual way of forcing this update. It happens automatically when your AirPods are :<\/p>\n\n<ol>\n<li>In their charge box.<\/li>\n<li>Connected to the enclosure (cover open or under load).<\/li>\n<li>Near your iPhone or iPad connected to the internet.<\/li>\n<li>Not in use.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h3>Check firmware version<\/h3>\n\n<ol>\n<li>On iPhone : <strong>Settings \u2192 Bluetooth \u2192 i<\/strong> next to your AirPods.<\/li>\n<li>Scroll to <strong>Version<\/strong> or <strong>Firmware Version<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Make a note of the current version.<\/li>\n<li>Compare with the latest version available on the Apple website or via a web search.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<h3>Force update<\/h3>\n\n<p>To force the update, place your AirPods in the case, connect the case to a wired load, and place it next to your wifi-connected iPhone for at least 30 minutes. Then check the version. If it has changed, the update is complete. Apple details the procedure in its official guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/fr-be\/118576\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">AirPods connection problems<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n<div class=\"faq-section\">\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>Why do my AirPods connect to my iPhone but not to my Mac?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>This indicates that the AirPods are physically working, but that pairing with the Mac is broken. Solution: on the Mac, forget about the AirPods (Bluetooth \u2192 Forget), then put them back into pairing mode and reconnect. If you're connected to the same Apple ID on both devices, they should appear automatically.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>Why aren't my AirPods in my Mac's Bluetooth list?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>Your AirPods are not in pairing mode. Place them in the case, close the cover for 15 seconds, open it, then hold the button on the back of the case until the light flashes white. On AirPods 4 and Pro 3, tap the front of the case twice. Your AirPods should then appear in the Mac's Bluetooth list.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>How do I know if my AirPods are charged?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>On a Mac, after logging in, click on Control centre \u2192 Sound \u2192 your AirPods will display their charge level. On iPhone, open the AirPods cover next to the iPhone - a window shows the charge level. On the case, the LED indicator shows the status: green = charged, orange = charging, red = battery critical.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>Why do my AirPods Pro only connect to one headset?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>This happens when an AirPod is not properly charged or has a sensor problem. Replace both AirPods in the case, wait 30 seconds, then take them out. If the problem persists, completely reset the AirPods (hold the button on the case for 15 seconds). If only one AirPod permanently refuses to work, contact Apple Support for a replacement (they are guaranteed for 1 year).<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>My AirPods disconnect when I close the MacBook cover, is this normal?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>Yes, that's normal. When the MacBook goes into sleep mode (cover closed), it switches off Bluetooth to save battery power. When you open the cover, your AirPods will automatically reconnect within a few seconds. If the automatic reconnection doesn't work, it's a bug - delete and re-pair your AirPods.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>Why is the sound from my AirPods jerky on the Mac?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>Possible causes: interference with a USB 3.0 or USB-C port (move USB devices further away), 2.4 GHz WiFi saturating the Bluetooth band (switch to 5 GHz), too many Bluetooth devices paired simultaneously, or low AirPods battery. For more general Bluetooth disconnections, see our article <a href=\"\/en\/mac-bluetooth-not-working\/\">Bluetooth Mac unavailable<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>How can I prevent my AirPods from switching between my devices?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>On iPhone: Settings \u2192 Bluetooth \u2192 i next to AirPods \u2192 Connect to this iPhone \u2192 choose \u00abWhen last connected to this iPhone\u00bb. Do the same on the Mac and iPad. This disables automatic switching between devices, and your AirPods will remain connected to the device you're actively using.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>The microphone on my AirPods doesn't work on the Mac, what can I do?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>Go to System Settings \u2192 Sound \u2192 Input and select your AirPods as the audio input. If the sound is poor, disable audio enhancements in the application settings (Zoom, Teams). Note that the quality of the AirPods microphone is deliberately limited to save Bluetooth bandwidth - for professional use, a USB microphone is preferable.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>How can I check the firmware version of my AirPods?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>On iPhone: Settings \u2192 Bluetooth \u2192 i next to your AirPods \u2192 scroll to \u00abVersion\u00bb or \u00abFirmware Version\u00bb. To force an update: place the AirPods in the charging case, next to your wifi-connected iPhone, for at least 30 minutes. The update will take place automatically and silently.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"faq-item\">\n<div class=\"faq-question\"><span>Can MAC Repair diagnose an AirPods\/Mac problem?<\/span><span class=\"faq-toggle\">+<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"faq-answer\"><p>Yes, with over 15 years' experience since 2010, we diagnose Mac Bluetooth connectivity problems, including those related to AirPods. If the problem is with your Mac's Bluetooth module, we'll identify the cause and suggest a repair. For faults specific to the AirPods themselves, contact Apple Support - Apple Repair is usually more appropriate. Free in-shop diagnosis. Take <a href=\"\/en\/book-appointment\/#form\">appointment<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"related-links\">\n<strong>Related articles<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/en\/mac-bluetooth-not-working\/\">Bluetooth Mac unavailable: 10 solutions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/en\/mac-sound-not-working\/\">More sound on Mac<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/en\/mac-microphone-not-working\/\">Mac microphone not working<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/en\/mac-wifi-not-working\/\">Mac Wifi no longer working<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>AirPods qui ne se connectent plus au Mac : toutes les solutions Lecture : 11 min | Pannes et Solutions En r\u00e9sum\u00e9 : si vos AirPods refusent de se connecter \u00e0 votre Mac, v\u00e9rifiez d&rsquo;abord qu&rsquo;ils sont charg\u00e9s et qu&rsquo;ils fonctionnent avec votre iPhone. Sur le Mac, allez dans R\u00e9glages Syst\u00e8me \u2192 Bluetooth, oubliez vos [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5265,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_breakdance_hide_in_design_set":false,"_breakdance_tags":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[391,394,396,388,397,24,393,65,395,371],"class_list":["post-5262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pannes-solutions","tag-airpods","tag-airpods-pro","tag-appairage","tag-bluetooth","tag-deconnexions","tag-depannage","tag-firmware","tag-icloud","tag-reinitialisation-2","tag-sortie-audio"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5262"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5262\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reparationmac.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}