To make AirPods switch to your iPhone automatically, put them in, open Settings, tap your AirPods’ name, tap Connect to This iPhone, and choose Automatically. Choose When Last Connected to This iPhone if you want to stop them from switching on their own.
This guide covers which AirPods support automatic switching, how to turn it on or off on iPhone and Mac, how to switch by hand, and how to keep call and car audio where you want it. It follows Apple’s Switch your AirPods to another device and Route and automatically answer calls on iPhone support pages.
Pair AirPods With Your iPhone First
Turn on Bluetooth, unlock your iPhone, and go to the Home Screen. With both AirPods in their charging case, open the lid and hold the case near the phone. When the setup card appears, tap Connect, follow any remaining prompts, and tap Done. Play some audio to check the connection before adjusting automatic switching. Apple’s AirPods setup instructions cover these steps.
If the setup card does not appear, keep the lid open and put the case into pairing mode. For AirPods 4, AirPods 5, or AirPods Pro 3, double-tap the front of the case until its light flashes white. For other AirPods or AirPods Pro models with a rear setup button, hold that button until the light flashes white. Open Settings > Bluetooth on the iPhone, select your AirPods, and check for Connected. Pairing establishes the connection; the switching settings below control when an already-paired pair moves between devices.
Which AirPods Switch Automatically?
Apple lists AirPods 2, 3, and 4 (both models), all AirPods Pro models, and all AirPods Max models. They can switch between your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro.
For it to work, Apple says to update all your devices to the latest software and sign in to each one with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication.
How to Make AirPods Switch to Your iPhone Automatically
- Put in your AirPods and make sure they’re connected to your iPhone.
- Open the Settings app and tap your AirPods’ name near the top. Or tap Bluetooth, then the More Info button next to your AirPods.
- Tap Connect to This iPhone.
- Choose Automatically.
Result: your AirPods move to the iPhone when you start playing audio on it. Apple’s example: if you’re listening to music on your Mac and start a podcast on your iPhone, the AirPods switch to the iPhone. If you answer an iPhone call on your Apple Watch, the call audio goes to your AirPods.
How to Stop AirPods From Switching on Their Own
- With your AirPods connected, go to the same Connect to This iPhone screen.
- Choose When Last Connected to This iPhone.
Result: your AirPods only connect to the iPhone if it was the last device they used. If they jump to another device anyway, you can tap the arrow in the “Moved to” banner at the top of your iPhone screen to bring them back.
On a Mac
Choose Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth, click the Options button next to your AirPods, and set Connect to This Mac to When Last Connected to This Mac. Apple notes that in macOS Sequoia and later, AirPods switch automatically to the Mac, while in macOS Sonoma a notification asks you to click Connect.
On Apple TV
Apple says to go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and turn off Suggest Nearby AirPods.
How to Switch AirPods by Hand
- Wear your AirPods near your iPhone.
- Open Control Center, the Lock Screen, or the Now Playing screen.
- Tap the AirPlay button, then choose your AirPods.
Result: audio moves to your AirPods right away. Apple notes AirPods only appear in the list when they’re nearby and ready to use.
Keep Audio in Your AirPods in the Car
If your iPhone keeps sending audio to the car or a speaker, go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity and turn on Keep Audio with Headphones. Apple says a banner then appears when a car or speaker is available, and you can tap the AirPlay button to move audio there yourself.
Send Calls to Your AirPods Automatically
Calls have their own setting. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Call Audio Routing and choose an audio destination. Apple says you can route phone and FaceTime calls to the iPhone speaker, a Bluetooth headset, or a hearing device. To have every call start on the phone speaker, see how to answer iPhone calls on speaker automatically.
If AirPods Don’t Switch Automatically
- Check that Connect to This iPhone is set to Automatically on each device you want them to switch to.
- Make sure all devices use the same Apple Account with two-factor authentication and are updated.
- Remember that Apple says audio shouldn’t switch while you’re in a phone call, FaceTime call, or video conference.
- Keep your AirPods updated. Firmware updates install over the air while the AirPods are connected to your iPhone.
- For a specific app, you can build a Shortcuts automation that uses Set Playback Destination to pick your AirPods when that app opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do AirPods switch automatically with Android or Windows?
No. Apple describes automatic switching between Apple devices signed in to the same Apple Account, and it isn’t available on other brands’ phones and computers. There you connect AirPods through Bluetooth settings.
Why did my AirPods switch to my iPad?
Most likely something started playing on the iPad. Set Connect to This iPad to When Last Connected on that iPad to stop it.
More AirPods guides: How to check AirPods battery life and How to change which AirPod has the microphone.
Matthew Burleigh is the founder, head writer, and editor of Solve Your Tech, which he launched in 2012. He has written technology tutorials since 2008 and worked in IT since 2003, including small-business support, IT management, and consulting. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from Arizona State University.
Matthew writes practical guides for Windows, iPhone and iPad, Microsoft Office, Outlook, Google apps, and Android. Solve Your Tech’s guides are tested on current devices or checked against official product documentation, with clear steps, sources, and update dates.
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