How To Connect Two AirPods To One Mac

You don’t need to share an AirPod set with a friend if you wish to listen to music on a Mac together. Use this workaround in its place.

We are all aware of how fantastic AirPods are for listening to music. You know what’s even better, though? Using AirPods, Beats, or any other Bluetooth or wired headphones while sharing the music with another person.

Currently, macOS does not allow two pairs of headphones to share audio simultaneously. Thankfully, there’s a simple workaround that lets you listen to the same music on numerous earphones.

Allow us to demonstrate how to connect two pairs of AirPods to your Mac in order to create a wireless audio experience that is immersive and conducive to co-listening.

To link two pairs of AirPods to a single Mac, establish a multi-output device using Audio MIDI Setup. Next, attach the AirPods that you want to use. Finally, to enjoy sharing audio, choose your newly created device as the primary audio output on your Mac.

Can you connect two sets of AirPods to a Mac?

MacOS Ventura and macOS Sonoma are two examples of modern versions of macOS that do not have the transmit Audio functionality from iOS, which allows you to simply transmit the audio from your iPhone to two pairs of AirPods.

We’ll use a built-in function called Audio MIDI Setup, which enables you to play audio through multiple speakers and headphones on your Mac, to connect two pairs of AirPods to any Mac.

Unlike your iPhone’s Share Audio feature, which only supports AirPods or select Beats headphones, Audio MIDI Setup works with all types of audio devices—whether they connect via Bluetooth or the wire—according to the Audio MIDI Setup user guide on Apple’s site.

How to connect two AirPods to one Mac

Sadly, macOS lacks iOS’s Share Audio feature, which allowed you to easily share the audio on your iPhone with two pairs of AirPods. Nevertheless, utilizing the included Audio MIDI Setup program offers a workaround. The benefit of this technique is that you can connect more than just AirPods—you can connect any kind of audio device.

First, use the Bluetooth settings on your Mac to pair both pairs of AirPods with your computer. If you’re unsure on how to proceed,

Launch a new Finder window, select Applications from the sidebar, and select the Utilities folder once the two AirPods have been paired over Bluetooth. You can alternatively hit Shift + Command + U or select Utilities from the Finder’s Go menu.

Spotlight can be used to look for the Audio MIDI Setup software in the Utilities folder.

In the window’s lower-left corner, click the addition sign (+) and select “Create Multi-Output Device.”

Select the two AirPod sets you wish to utilize by checking the boxes next to them in the right section. Any other two output devices you like can also be chosen.

From the Sound System Preferences or the volume menu, choose the newly created device. Enjoy now when you and your friend share audio!

Ways to Connect Two Sets of AirPods to the Same Mac

If you want to share audio with a friend via a MacBook or desktop Mac and two pairs of AirPods, all you have to do is set up a virtual audio device in Audio MIDI Setup, route the audio from both sets of AirPods to it, and choose it from the system volume menu.

To create a multi-audio virtual device, take the following actions:

1. Link the two AirPods to your Mac. You can pair any other Bluetooth headphones with your computer if you don’t have AirPods.
2. Launch a fresh instance of the Finder, select Applications from the sidebar, and access the Utilities folder.
3. To open Audio MIDI Setup, double-click on it within the Utilities folder. You may use Spotlight on your Mac to access Audio MIDI Setup as well.
4. In the Audio MIDI Setup window, click the plus (+) button in the lower-left corner. From the context menu, select Create Multi-Output Device.
5. Select the two sets of AirPods or any other headphones you want to use by checking the boxes next to them on the right.
6. To rename your virtual audio device, select Multi-Output Device from the list on the left, click it, and then hit Enter.
7. Name it something illustrative, like “Shared Headphones.”
8. To select it for sound output, control-click your virtual audio device and select Use This Device.

The aforementioned technique will enable you and a friend to share audio from the same Mac without being restricted to using just one pair of AirPods, even though macOS does not have a Share Audio option.

Additionally, you may choose your new multi-output device by clicking the volume control in the macOS menu bar and selecting it under the Output section.

When you’re through sharing audio, don’t forget to unplug and unpair your friend’s AirPods!

Are there separate volume sliders?

Regretfully, the workaround for MIDI Audio Setup does not offer individual volume sliders for every set of headphones in the Control Center and the macOS menu bar. The hardware controls on each set of AirPods linked to your Mac are the sole way to individually adjust the volume.

Connect Two AirPods to Share Your Mac’s Audio With a Friend

Even while you and your friend can listen together using just one AirPod, using two pairs of AirPods together makes for an engaging shared listening experience where everyone gets to enjoy the benefits of surround sound and spatial audio that AirPods have to offer.

We still hope Apple updates macOS to include the Share Audio feature from iOS so that consumers may connect several AirPods to a Mac without having to use such cumbersome workarounds.

An alternative way to connect AirPods to Mac

Make sure that your Mac is running macOS Mojave 10.14.4 or later if you plan to use AirPods. For the AirPods Pro, macOS Catalina 10.15.1 or later is needed. It’s also important to remember that your AirPods will probably be compatible with your MacBook if you have set them up with your iPhone and your MacBook is logged into iCloud using the same Apple ID.

Everything ready? Observe the detailed instructions below:

1. If the AirPods are connected to the same Apple iPad as your MacBook and are already set up via your iPhone, open the lid on the case close to your Mac.
   • Your Mac will detect your AirPods and automatically connect to your MacBook. You can go into sound settings and switch over.
2. If they don’t connect automatically, click the Bluetooth icon in the top bar of your MacBook.
   •  Click on the AirPods in your list of Bluetooth devices.

If they aren’t connected to anything and you’re starting fresh, follow the steps below:

1. Open your AirPods case close to your Mac.
2. Head to System Settings. This can be found in your task bar or by clicking the Apple logo in the top left.
3. Scroll down to nearby devices and click on your AirPods.

Why won’t my AirPods connect to my Mac?

If you’re facing problems connecting your AirPods to your Mac or can’t hear audio after connecting, try the tips below to resolve the issue.

• Turn Bluetooth on and off. In the menu bar, click the Bluetooth icon and select Turn Off Bluetooth. Wait a few seconds and then click Turn On Bluetooth.
• Remove the AirPods and set them up again. Go to the Apple menu → System Preferences → Bluetooth.  Hover the pointer over the AirPods. Click the X to set up the AirPods again.
• Charge AirPods. Place the AirPods in their case and recharge them before trying again.

Enjoy watching movies with friends now that you know that you may simultaneously output the audio from your Mac to two pairs of AirPods or other headphones! See our ranking of the top Netflix thrillers if you need suggestions for what to watch.