SMALL STEPS. USEFUL SKILLS.
Connect Bluetooth headphones
Pair headphones through macOS System Settings.
Use the pictures where shown. Follow the short instructions between them.
STEP 1 OF 12
Make your headphones discoverable
Put your headphones into pairing mode using their own instructions. Keep them near your Mac.
Need a little more help?+
The button and light pattern depend on the headphones; simply switching them on may not start pairing.
Prefer to see all the steps together?+
STEP 1
Make your headphones discoverable
Put your headphones into pairing mode using their own instructions. Keep them near your Mac.
The button and light pattern depend on the headphones; simply switching them on may not start pairing.
STEP 2
Open the Apple menu
Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen.
STEP 3
Open System Settings
Click System Settings.
STEP 4
Open Bluetooth
In the sidebar on the left, click Bluetooth.
STEP 5
Turn Bluetooth on
If the Bluetooth switch at the top is off, click it to turn it on.
This is the Bluetooth page you reach. This example has Bluetooth on; your headphone name and account details will differ.
STEP 6
Find your headphones
Look under Nearby Devices for your headphones' name.
STEP 7
Click Connect
Move the pointer over the headphones' name, then click Connect.
Apple uses AirPods Pro as the nearby-device example. Click Connect beside your own headphones. This picture does not show your headphones’ pairing-button sequence.
STEP 8
Accept the pairing
If a pairing message appears, click Connect to accept it.
STEP 9
Play something
Play something quietly to check where the sound comes from.
STEP 10
Open Sound — if needed
If the sound still comes from the Mac, open System Settings and click Sound.
STEP 11
Click Output
STEP 12
Select your headphones
Select your headphones in the list.
IF SOMETHING LOOKS DIFFERENT
A little help along the way.
Your menus may look different after an update. Look for the same control name and take your time.
I cannot find that option+
Check that this guide covers your device and software. If the names do not match, use the manufacturer’s instructions linked below for your model.
I need to go back a step+
Use Previous step or select a step number above. This changes the guide only; it does not undo anything on your device.
Are these pictures of my device?+
They are example screens showing exactly where to click. Your names, apps, wallpaper and layout may look a little different, but the options you need are the same. Some pictures show what you should see after a step.