Connecting AirPods to a Chromebook
In principle, connecting Apple AirPods to your Chromebook is straightforward, but it isn’t as frictionless as it is with Apple laptops.
Chrome OS, on the other hand, is built to work with a variety of wireless Bluetooth devices, including earphones like the Apple AirPods.
AirPods, likewise, were designed to work with devices other than Apple’s, so you should be able to use them with your Chromebook.
Continue reading to learn how to connect AirPods to a Chromebook and what to do if your AirPods aren’t compatible.
How to connect AirPods to Chromebook
To connect AirPods to a Chromebook, open the network menu in the lower right-hand corner and select the network/WiFi logo next to the clock and battery logos.
When the network menu appears, check that the Bluetooth icon is set to “on” by clicking the arrow beneath it.
When Bluetooth is turned on, the Bluetooth logo changes from dark grey to blue.
When Bluetooth is turned on, it will automatically search for nearby Bluetooth devices and present a list of those that can be discovered.
Your AirPods should automatically appear in the list at this time.
If they don’t, you may make them discoverable by all other Bluetooth-enabled devices by pressing the “pair” button on the back of your AirPods case.
The AirPods should appear in your Bluetooth devices list once you’ve done this.
In the devices list, the AirPods should appear as a headphone icon, allowing you to select them.
After selecting the AirPods, a pop-up menu will display with the words “Associated Devices,” indicating that your AirPods are now officially paired with your Chromebook.
Confirming AirPods are paired with your Chromebook
If you followed the steps above to pair your AirPods with your Chromebook, your AirPods should now appear in the pop-up “Paired Devices” option, indicating that they are linked and recognized by the Chromebook.
“Bluetooth device ‘Name of Your Airpods’ has been linked and is now available to all users,” says a Chrome OS message once you’ve connected.
You can unpair your AirPods from your Chromebook by going to Settings,” checking that your AirPods are connected to your Chromebook.
You can now turn Bluetooth off on your Chromebook or press the button on your Airpods case to make them discoverable to other devices again.
Common problems using AirPods with Chromebooks
Although Apple Airpods may be connected to practically any Chromebook, several users have reported problems getting them to work properly.
While Apple’s wireless Bluetooth earbuds are designed to operate with Apple computers, they can also be used with a variety of other devices.
Chromebooks, whether you’re using an HP Chromebook or a Google Pixelbook Go, are notoriously picky when it comes to Apple Airpods, and frequently have issues connecting, synchronizing, or even playing audio when attached.
AirPods won’t connect to Chromebook
If your AirPods aren’t connecting to your Chromebook, make sure Bluetooth is switched off on your iPhone, MacBook, or any other devices you’re using them with.
While you’re trying to pair the AirPods with your Chromebook, this will prevent them from connecting to other devices.
You may also connect to your Chromebook with another Bluetooth device, which will reveal if your Chromebook is having problems – if it can connect to other Bluetooth devices, it should be able to connect to your AirPods.
Some people who couldn’t get their AirPods to connect to the Chromebook before we’re able to do so by connecting to another device first, then retrying the Chromebook connection with their AirPods.
Resetting the AirPods by placing them in their case, shutting it, and holding the case’s pair button for 15 seconds is another option.
The light within the case should blink amber and green, indicating that the AirPods have been reset and that you can attempt pairing them with your Chromebook again.
AirPods connect to Chromebook, but won’t play audio, or audio skips
If you connect your AirPods to your Chromebook but have audio troubles, you might be able to fix them by enabling Newblue, a Bluetooth stack that can be enabled from beneath one of Chrome OS’s flags.
Go to chrome:/flags/#newblue and select “enable” to enable the Newblue flag.
After that, you’ll need to restart the Chromebook for the flag to take effect.
This has helped a lot of AirPods users with connections that skip audio or don’t play audio at all.
AirPods connect to Chromebook, but the audio is out of sync
If your AirPods are connected to your Chromebook but the audio in each ear is out of sync, playing as a single mono channel, or only one side of a stereo channel, many users have found that covering one or both AirPods causes them to lose connection, which solves the problem.
The AirPods will then re-pair and should become in sync as expected when you expose one or both of the earbuds.
Another solution is to put one AirPod back inside the case for a few seconds before putting it back in your ear.
This approach, like the previous, disconnects and reconnects one of the AirPods, resolving out-of-sync audio in the process.
When AirPods and Chromebooks don’t work together
If your AirPods aren’t working with your Chromebook, it’s worth investing in a pair of wired headphones or checking out a different pair of the best wireless earbuds on the market.
In any event, sticking to Apple goods with your AirPods may be your best choice, but most customers have had success getting their AirPods to work with their Chromebook in the end, so it’s worth trying some of the above workarounds first.