I just got the airpods pro and haven't even set up the spacial audio, but that's a story for another time. When I connected them for the first time, the phone picked them up right off. Cool, I thought, now let's do the Mac, then I can use them with it like i used to do with my other airpods. Note that one of them is dead and somewhere? Around here. ;) Here's my question. If i'm watching TV on my phone, slip my Airpods in, it connects to the phone. If I press the toggle button, it acts like they're connected but they're still outputting audio from the phone. I want the Mac. Is there a way to fix this? Thanks
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Connecting
Mac
Make sure your Mac has the latest version of macOS. Then, open the AirPods case, place the AirPods inside, and hold the case next to your Mac. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about five seconds, or until the status light flashes white. On your Mac, go to the Apple menu, then System Settings, and click Bluetooth. In the list of devices, hover over your AirPods and click Connect. If your AirPods are already set up with your iPhone and your Mac is signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID, they might be ready to use with your Mac.
Thanks Holger
I appreciate the steps. Yes it is signed in, yes i have the latest version. I'm just confused as if I want them to connect to the Mac, while the phone has something, they go phone first. I'll figure it out. Thanks for your help.
No magic for the blind.
As long as your mac is set up with your same iCloud account, which I don't doubt it is, and if you have them set up on your iCloud account through your iPhone you don't need to pair them with your mac.
There are a couple of options in the way they connect, automatic, which is supposed to be the magic switching, or connect to last device, I think it is. Basically, the automatic switching works only with media based output, movies, music etc. That's when the clever bit kicks in and realises you are using your airpods pro to listen to something. It doesn't work with voiceover though, or not reliably.
The best I can suggest is a little app, and it is paid, called tooth fairy, where you can set up a keyboard shortcut to connect to connect and disconnect to your airpods... Any bluetooth device actually, but here it is the airpods we're talking about.
I had to use my airpods pro 2 for uni to present with my macbook, and this is the solution I found. Sometimes it does move, sometimes it takes a little time, sometimes it doesn't move at all. One could go insane trying to work out the variables but, having your phone locked, facing down then putting your airpods in your ears, might be your best shot at the automatic switching.
Also, if they are new, leave them charging by your phone for a little time to make sure their firmware is up to date. They don't always ship with the latest firmware.
I'm sorry it's not a neater solution, if it's really a solution at all, but tooth fairy is pretty inexpensive and you might, as I did, find other uses for it. I set right option and / to be its toggle.
connect
Works well with phone and iPad 9. When I watch a video or listen to music. VO comes clear.
@Ollie
Thanks for that app suggestion. I think a lot of us have struggled with this. Good to know for if I'm ever able to get my hands on a mac again.
You're right. It does seem…
You're right. It does seem to work better between iPhone and iPad. It's just something about the mac that trips it up when switching. It usually works, it's just not working 100 % of the time, which is what we need.
And no problem. It's a nice little app. We shouldn't need it, but we sometimes do need another way around to get things working.