How-toBluetooth
How to pair a Bluetooth device with a Mac
Connect headphones, a speaker, a keyboard or a mouse to your Mac in System Settings, choose it for sound, and forget it when you are done with it.
- Mac
Pairing a Bluetooth accessory with a Mac, such as headphones, a speaker, a keyboard or a mouse, is covered here, along with picking it for sound and removing it later.
What you need
- A Mac with Bluetooth turned on. Current Macs have Bluetooth built in.
- The accessory, charged and close to the Mac.
- The accessory's manual or the maker's support page, to find how to make it discoverable (also called pairing mode). Often you hold the power or Bluetooth button until a light blinks. See how Bluetooth pairing works for why this step exists.
Which menu name does your Mac use?
macOS Ventura and later use System Settings. Earlier versions use System Preferences, where Bluetooth is a separate icon in the main window. The steps below use System Settings, and the idea is the same on older Macs.
Text version of this diagram
- Pairing mode: Hold the accessory's button until its light blinks
- Open Bluetooth: System Settings, then Bluetooth in the sidebar
- Connect: Point at the device in the list and click Connect
- Confirm: Click Accept or type the numbers shown
- Choose sound: Set it as output or input if it is audio
Pair the accessory
- Turn on the accessory and put it in pairing mode. Check that its light is blinking.
- On your Mac, choose .
- Click Bluetooth in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down the sidebar to find it. Make sure Bluetooth is on.
- Find your accessory in the device list. Move the pointer over its name, then click Connect.
- If a prompt appears, click Accept. If the Mac asks you to enter a series of numbers, enter the numbers it shows, then press Return. If you did not start this pairing, do not accept it.
- Look at the list again. The accessory now shows as Connected.
You can also click the Bluetooth icon in Control Center (the menu bar at the top right) and choose the device from there once it has been paired.
Apple keyboards, mice and trackpads
Apple's Magic accessories pair when you connect them to the Mac with a cable and turn them on. Wait for the notification that says you can unplug the cable. A Magic Mouse must be unplugged before you can use it wirelessly. A Magic Keyboard or Magic Trackpad can stay plugged in while you use it.
Choose headphones or a speaker for sound
Pairing connects the device, but the Mac may keep playing sound through its own speakers until you choose otherwise.
- Open .
- Click Output for headphones or speakers. Click Input for a headset with a microphone.
- Click your Bluetooth device in the list. Play a sound to check it.
If sound quality drops, Apple suggests opening Control Center, choosing Sound, selecting the Mac's own speakers, and then selecting the Bluetooth headphones again. Also quit any app that is using the headphones' microphone, since using the microphone can reduce sound quality.
Disconnect or forget a device
- Disconnect for now: go to , point at the device, and click Disconnect. It stays paired and can reconnect later.
- Forget it completely: in the same list, Control-click the device's name, then click Forget. You must pair it again to use it. Do this if a device that used to work will not connect, then pair it again from the start.
If something goes wrong
- Check that the accessory is charged, close to the Mac and still blinking. Pairing mode can time out after a short while, so start again if needed.
- If the accessory was last used with a phone or another computer, turn Bluetooth off on that device so it does not grab the connection.
- Forget the device on the Mac (see above), switch the accessory off and on, and pair it again.
- Restart the Mac and try once more.
If it still fails, see Mac Bluetooth problems and Bluetooth won't pair or connect. For stutter or dropouts after pairing, see Bluetooth keeps disconnecting or stutters.
Pair only what you started
A pairing request or code you did not ask for is not one to accept. Choose to cancel it, and pair new devices in a place you trust.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to pair my headphones every time?
No. After the first time, the Mac remembers the headphones. Turn them on, and they usually reconnect on their own if Bluetooth is on and they are close.
My device is not in the list. What should I do?
Put it in pairing mode again and check that the light blinks. Move it closer, and make sure it is not connected to another device. Keep the Bluetooth settings window open while it searches.
Can I use AirPods or other Apple headphones the same way?
Their setup can differ from other makers, and it depends on the model and your macOS version. Use the instructions that came with them or Apple's support pages for your model. The steps here cover accessories from any maker that use ordinary pairing.
Will forgetting a device delete anything on my Mac?
No. It removes only the saved pairing between the Mac and that device. You can pair them again at any time.
Was this guide helpful?
Thank you for your rating.
Ratings are not available right now. You can still use the contact page to tell us what you think.
Rating this guide needs JavaScript. You can send feedback on the contact page instead.
Official resources used
Pages consulted while preparing this guide. Check them for the latest details.
Need more help?
If this guide did not solve your problem, send us a message and tell us what you tried.
Beware of fake support
Real support never asks you to call an unfamiliar number, pay with gift cards or let a stranger control your computer.