Graphical guides on How to Connect AirPods to a Microsoft Surface:

Open the AirPods case and press the sync button, then connect to Bluetooth

What to Know:

Open the AirPods case and press the sync button until the light flashes.

Go to Bluetooth Settings on your Microsoft Surface, turn on Bluetooth, click on add a device, and choose your AirPod Pro from the list of search results.

To switch sound output, select the Speaker icon on your taskbar, then select the arrow next to the volume control.

This is a simple guide to connect your Apple Apple AirPods to Microsoft Surface models running Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How to Pair Apple AirPods to a Microsoft Surface:

The steps are a little different depending on which version of Windows your Microsoft Surface is running.

Windows 11:

Here’s a step by step guide on how to connect your Apple AirPods to a Windows 11 Microsoft Surface:

Right-click the Windows icon on the taskbar.

Select Settings: Go to the Bluetooth & devices. Select the Bluetooth toggle if it isn’t already on.

Select +Add device:

Place the buds in their case, and then open the case.

On your Windows 11 PC, select Bluetooth.

Wait for your PC to search for devices, then choose your Apple AirPods when they appear on the list. Wait for the connection to be established, then select Done.

Windows 10

While there’s a guide for windows 11 connection to the Apple AirPods, Microsoft made the processes different for their Windows surfaces. Here’s how to connect your AirPods to a Windows 10 Microsoft Surface.

Open the Windows 10 Action Center on your Surface.You can do this by swiping in from the right side of the screen or by selecting its icon in the Windows 10 taskbar.

Check that Bluetooth is turned on. If Bluetooth’s turned off, select bluetooth icon from the Action Center.

Select All settings.

Select Devices.

Select Add Bluetooth & other device.

Select Bluetooth.

Open the Apple AirPod case (keep the buds inside). Firmly press the button on the back of the AirPod’s case until the light on its front begins to blink. Doing this will make them discoverable by your Windows 10 Microsoft Surface.

Select your Apple AirPod from the list of Bluetooth devices. If you’ve previously given your Apple AirPod a custom name, that name should appear on this list.

Select Done.

How to Switch Sound Output on a Microsoft Surface

If you want to use your AirPods to listen to music or videos, you’ll need to switch audio outputs. This may happen automatically the first time your AirPods connect, but you can also do it manually if you have an issue where audio isn’t coming from the AirPods.

Windows 11

Here’s how to change the audio output on a Windows 11 Surface:

Take your AirPods out of the case.Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire

Select the Speaker icon on the taskbar.

Select the > icon to the right of the volume control.If the Bluetooth button is grayed out, it means Bluetooth has been turned off. Select the Bluetooth button to turn it on.

Select Headphones (AirPods) in the list of devices.

When your AirPods are selected in this menu, it means they’re connected, ready to use, and set as the default audio source on your Windows 11 PC.

Windows 10

Here’s how to change the audio output on a Windows 10 Surface:

Take your AirPods out of the case.Jeremy Laukkonen / Lifewire

Select the Speaker icon on your taskbar.

Select the dropdown menu.

Select Headphones (AirPods Stereo). You can now use your AirPods with your laptop.

FAQ: Why Won’t My AirPods Connect to My Surface Pro?

There are several potential reasons your Apple AirPods aren’t connecting to your Surface Pro or other Surface devices properly.

• Bluetooth is disabled on your Surface. Turn Bluetooth back on via the Windows 10 Action Center.
• You connected the AirPods to something else. Apple AirPods often stay connected to the first synced device they detect when activated. Remove them from the other device or turn that device’s Bluetooth off to disconnect them.
• You connected your Surface to something else. Your Surface Pro might already be streaming audio to a speaker or pair of headphones. Disconnect that other device or turn it off. 
• The batteries may be flat. Make sure to charge your AirPods daily, so they have plenty of battery life, and place them back in their case so they don’t accidentally turn on and use all their power when not in use.
• Your Surface isn’t seeing your AirPods. To fix this, place your AirPods in their case, close the lid, and then open it again.
• Windows is glitching. Restart your Surface and troubleshoot Windows Bluetooth.
• Your AirPods could be fake. The chances of this happening are slim if you bought your AirPods from an Apple Store, but if you got them from a reseller, your AirPods could be fake or damaged.

FAQs

• How do I connect AirPods to my Surface Pro 6?Connecting AirPods to a Surface Pro 6 involves the same steps as connecting AirPods to all other Surface models. Open the AirPods case and hold the sync button to put it into pairing mode. Then, go to Settings, turn on Bluetooth, and select your AirPods from the list of Bluetooth search results.
• Can I connect my AirPods to a Windows tablet?Yes. The process is the same as connecting Bluetooth headphones to a Windows PC. Open your AirPods charging case, press and hold the pairing button, launch Bluetooth on your device, and then select your AirPod from the list of Bluetooth search results.