Stop your AirPods jumping from your Mac to your iPhone

Why it happens

AirPods signed in to your Apple Account move automatically to whichever of your devices starts playing sound. A video on your iPhone or a notification sound can be enough to pull them away from the Mac. The Connect to This Mac setting tells them to switch to the Mac only when they were last used with it.

How to fix it

1. Put your AirPods in your ears and connect them to the Mac, so their name appears in the System Settings sidebar.

2. Open System Settings and click your AirPods' name in the sidebar. It's near the top and only shows while they're connected.

   your AirPods (appears in the sidebar when connected)

3. Find Connect to This Mac and choose When Last Connected to This Mac. If it isn't on the first screen, click Audio & Routing to see it.

4. Do the same on your iPhone so it doesn't grab them either. Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, tap the info button next to your AirPods and set Connect to This iPhone to When Last Connected to This iPhone. Your iPad has the same setting.

5. Play something on the Mac. Your AirPods should now stay with it until you choose them on another device.

Still not fixed?

1. To bring them back to the Mac by hand, click the Sound control in the menu bar or Control Center and choose your AirPods. You can also pick them in Sound, then Output.

   Sound›Output

2. Can't find the AirPods in the sidebar? They're only listed while connected. Open the case near the Mac and click Connect next to them in Bluetooth.

   Bluetooth

3. Install the latest macOS update on the Mac and iOS update on the iPhone. AirPods update their own software while charging near your iPhone.

   General›Software Update

4. If they still jump with both devices set to When Last Connected, forget them in Bluetooth on the Mac, pair them again, and set the option once more.

5. If the AirPods keep switching or dropping out even then, contact Apple Support. They can check the AirPods and the pairing on both devices.