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How to connect AirPods to a Chromebook (Step-by-step)

How to connect AirPods to a Chromebook

This is a step-by-step tutorial for connecting AirPods to a Chromebook, including tips on how to get past connection issues.

Despite being designed initially to work with Apple products, AirPods function as standard Bluetooth devices when connected to non-Apple products like Google’s Chromebook. However, although AirPods can connect to Chromebooks, the procedure is not as simple.

Even when you follow the basic instructions, different hardware and software issues could occur, making it impossible for you to use your AirPods with your Chromebook.

But don’t worry! In this article, we’ll walk you through pairing AirPods with a Chromebook, discuss connectivity issues, and explain what to watch out for when pairing these two seemingly different gadgets. Let’s start now!

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How do I connect my AirPods to my Chromebook?

Traditionally, only other Apple goods are intended to connect with Apple AirPods. However, other devices, including Chromebooks, can also connect with AirPods through the Bluetooth settings on your laptop.

Find Bluetooth in Quick Settings

Grab your Chromebook first, and let’s make sure your Chrome OS’s Bluetooth is prepared.

Step 1: Turn on your Chromebook and sign in to the home screen.

Step 2: Check the bottom-right corner of your home screen where the clock and a few other icons are located. This is Chrome OS’s Quick Settings section. To access Quick Settings, choose any of the icons in this area.

Step 3: Open Quick Settings and look for the Bluetooth icon. It ought to be prominently displayed in the Settings window’s top section. If Bluetooth is on or off, a small notification should appear underneath. Select the notice to activate it if it’s off for whatever reason.

Pairing your AirPods with your Chromebook

Before you start this part, make sure your AirPods are in the case and that the case is charged.

Step 1: Turn off any apps that your AirPods may be using, such as music apps or streaming services, and disconnect your AirPods from other devices.

Step 2: Select the blue Bluetooth icon in Quick Settings while Bluetooth is turned on. This ought to open a new window where Bluetooth will list your paired devices and start looking for more to pair with.

Step 3: Your Chromebook’s Bluetooth can detect your AirPods automatically on occasion, but more frequently than not, you’ll need to manually make your AirPods discoverable. Turn your AirPods case over and look for the tiny, round button on the back while Bluetooth is searching.

This is Apple’s Setup button, which is a little difficult to see but crucial for pairing your AirPods. Once you’ve pressed the Setup button once, your Chromebook’s Bluetooth should detect and pair with your AirPods. They will show up on the paired list with the name you gave your AirPods.

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Connecting your AirPods

Choose your AirPods from the Bluetooth list of associated devices on your Chromebook. Now, your AirPods ought to be linked up. This will be shown by a pop-up notice, and your AirPods’ Bluetooth status will update to reflect a successful connection. You are now prepared to put them to use.

All of this applies to the AirPods Max as well, except that the Setup button is on the earcup rather than the case.

Check the volume

To prevent damaging your ears while using AirPods with a freshly connected device, it’s always a good idea to start at low levels and work your way up (and swearing loudly). 

As we already explained, if you aren’t using an Apple device, you can’t use Siri to manage the volume. However, you can use the in-app controls for any program you’re running or the volume keys on your Chromebook.

Recommendation for connecting new AirPods

If you just purchased a pair of AirPods but own a Chromebook, there is something you may want to do first. If you own an Apple device, first link your AirPods with it. 

Apple will walk you through the setup process, describe a few functions, and allow you to give your AirPods a name. If you’ve never used the AirPods before, it’s a terrific first step. 

After that, you can connect them to your Chromebook without having to worry about Apple’s configuration.

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What to Do If Your AirPods Won’t Connect to Your Chromebook

“Why won’t my AirPods connect to my Chromebook?”

If you tried to link these two devices using the previous instructions but still found yourself asking this question, be aware that there are several potential causes. A few of them are:

  • Connection problems
  • The AirPods may have been linked to an iPhone or iPad that was nearby
  • Incorrect audio output configurations
  • Low or drained batteries

If this occurs, there’s no reason to be concerned. Here are some of the several ways you can solve these problems and get your AirPods and Chromebook to function correctly. Let’s get to it! 

Retry your connection

There may be underlying Bluetooth connection difficulties if your Chromebook is unable to recognize and connect to your AirPods. 

You may just try turning the Bluetooth off and on again, then attempt connecting again to see if it fixes the issue. This can help in resetting Bluetooth and remove any transient faults to resolve sluggish connection difficulties.

The procedures listed below should help you disable Bluetooth on your Chromebook:

By selecting the network symbol in the lower right corner of your screen, you may access the quick settings menu.

Restart Bluetooth

After that, press the toggle switch to turn Bluetooth off. Restart it and go through the pairing procedure we outlined earlier.

Update your Chromebook OS

Your Chromebook could not work correctly if its operating system is out-of-date or if a software upgrade is either waiting or incomplete. Also, this can have an impact on other features like Bluetooth connection and audio output.

The OS can be updated to address driver software problems and enable the Chromebook to operate properly. To manually check for updates, follow these steps:

  • A reliable internet connection should be active on your Chromebook.
  • Select the Settings icon to access the quick settings menu from the bottom right corner of the screen.
  • Select Chrome OS About. The version you are now using will be shown.
  • To check for updates, choose. Updates are downloaded automatically if there are any.

The Chromebook will restart after downloading a software update for it to take effect. The notification panel will display an “Update available” alert. The machine will restart and install the update when you select “Restart to Update.”

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Disconnect AirPods from other nearby devices

Your AirPods’ ability to connect to your Chromebook will be limited by the pre-existing relationships they have with your other iOS devices. 

This is because AirPods may encounter connectivity issues with your Chromebook since they have a stronger and quicker connection with iOS devices.

Upon opening the charging case, your AirPods will instantly reconnect to any nearby linked iOS device. Also, because AirPods can only connect to one device at a time, doing so with your Chromebook while there are other linked iOS devices around might be challenging.

By disconnecting your AirPods from any surrounding Apple devices, you can reduce interference and increase the likelihood that the Chromebook will be able to connect.

Turn off Bluetooth or remove the AirPods from all of your Apple devices to disconnect them from iOS devices.

On iOS, follow these steps to forget your AirPods (Gen 1,2,3, or AirPods Pro):

Connect your iOS device to the AirPods

  • Go to Settings on your iOS device and choose Bluetooth.
  • Next to your AirPods, choose the More details button.
  • To confirm, press Forget This Device once again. This will also remove your AirPods from any other iOS devices that are signed in with your Apple ID.

The iOS devices will not automatically connect or detect your AirPods after they have been forgotten unless you pair them. As a result, they won’t disrupt your efforts to connect your AirPods with your Chromebook.

Reset your AirPods

After attempting the previously outlined fixes and your AirPods are still unable to connect to your Chromebook, they need to be reset.

The AirPods can be reset to erase any recent connections from their memory. And doing so will guarantee that you won’t have any connection problems while trying to connect to your Chromebook. Additionally, it aids with resolving audio and charging problems.

Here are a few quick and easy steps to reset your AirPods (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation) and AirPods Pro:

  1. Close the charging case’s cover after placing both AirPods inside.
  2. On the rear of the AirPods case, locate the Setup button.
  3. Hold down the Setup button for 15 seconds, or until the amber-flashing status light becomes white.
  4. the cover of the charging case. Your AirPods have now been completely reset.
  5. Restart your Chromebook once the AirPods have been reset, then attach them by going through the following pairing procedure.

The resetting procedure for AirPods Max is a little different. This is how you do it:

For 15 seconds, while holding down both the Noise Control button and the Digital Crown, the light will flash amber.

When the LED becomes white, let go of the buttons. Your AirPods Max has just been completely reset.

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Manage audio output

The term “audio output” describes the device—which may be your Chromebook’s internal speakers, a pair of headphones, or an external monitor—through which audio is played.

If your Chromebook detects your AirPods but you are unable to hear any sound, another audio output may have been used.

Fortunately, you can readily fix this by accessing the Chromebook’s Audio Settings and choosing the AirPods from the list of available alternatives. As follows:

By selecting the network symbol in the lower right corner of your screen, you can access the quick settings menu. The volume slider has a headphone icon next to it. Click on it. 

All the available output choices, including wired headphones, Bluetooth devices, and external monitor speakers, are shown in the Audio settings menu when it opens. The choices for audio input and output devices are both available.

When choosing an audio output device, choose your AirPods. You can now use your AirPods to listen to any audio that is playing on your Chromebook.

Disconnecting Apple AirPods From a Chromebook

Turn off Bluetooth on your Chromebook or press and hold the Pair button on the back of your AirPods case to unpair them from your computer.

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Conclusion

There are methods to get past the compatibility problems with AirPods so you can still enjoy its high-quality sound on your Chromebook, even if they are most useful for users of the original Apple environment. All you need to do to get started is make sure your Chromebook has Bluetooth capabilities enabled.

This guide will help you save money by preventing you from buying a new set of headphones, as your AirPods can now be connected to a Chromebook.

FAQs

Why won’t my AirPod Pro connect to my Chromebook?

If the AirPods and Chromebook aren’t connecting, there might be a connectivity problem. The presence of a nearby Mac or iOS device with Bluetooth turned on may prevent the AirPods from connecting to the Chromebook. Additionally, do a reset of your AirPods and retry connecting.

How do I put my Airpod in pairing mode?

Open the charging case’s cover and insert both AirPods. When the status light starts to flash white, press and hold the setup button on the case’s rear. Click Connect after selecting your AirPods from the Devices list.

Can you connect two AirPods to a Chromebook? 

It is possible to pair AirPods with a Chromebook, or multiple devices – partly thanks to iCloud – but they can only support one active Bluetooth connection at once. When setting them up on your Chromebook, ensure they aren’t linked to your iPhone (or Android phone), since this might lead to issues.

Can I use my AirPods with my Chromebook?

Bluetooth connectivity exists between your Google Chromebook and Apple AirPods. Even though AirPods are an Apple product, they can nevertheless communicate with Bluetooth-enabled devices like Chromebooks.

How do I connect a Chromebook to a TV?

Connect an HDMI cable to the Chromebook’s HDMI port or a USB-C port with an adapter to connect your Chromebook to a TV. Put the other wire end into the TV’s HDMI port. Start the Chromebook, switch on the TV, and choose the appropriate input channel. Go to Settings > Displays by selecting the clock icon. Enable the internal mirror display.