How to Use Apple Earbuds as Mic on PC[complete guide]

Apple has always provided its users with premium quality and well-crafted designs for its products. But, these products are optimized to be solely used on iOS and Mac OS.
It’s hard to use Apple products on non-iOS devices such as Windows or Android. It does not mean you can’t use Apple products on those devices. In this guide, We will explain how to use apple earbuds as mic on pc.

How to Use Apple Earbuds as Mic on PC

• Go to your PC settings
• Find Bluetooth from Bluetooth and Device settings
• Chose “add Bluetooth.”
• Press and hold the button at the back of your Airpods case to put it into pairing mode.
• Wait for a moment until Airpods appear and add in the devices.
• Click on AirPods.
• Select Headset as your audio output and mic input.

Issues & Fixes

Sometimes, you don’t have any choice but to use your Apple EarBuds as a mic on a PC.
There may be an issue in connecting Apple earbuds as they are not always compatible with non-iOS devices. We have designed this article to help you connect Apple Earbuds with non-iOS devices.

Can Apple Headphones Be Used on PCs

This is not an easy plug-in connecting job due to the incompatibility of both devices. But, there is nothing to worry about. This guide has specifically been written to guide you on how to use apple earbuds as mic on pc. Because Apple Airpods connect easily with Mac OS. So, you have to take some extra steps and follow our guided tips to make things work properly.

EarPods with 3.5mm Plug

Before going through the steps to properly attach Airpods with PC, First of all, make sure that your AirPods have a 3.5mm connector or a lighting cable.
A 3.5mm jack can easily be connected to a PC.

If you are using an old device, you might need an Audio splitter in that case.
In case, your Airpods have a lightning cable, you need a lighting-to-USB adapter to use them.

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Lightning to USB-A Connector

If your Apple Airpods have a lightning cable, you might need to use the Lightning to USB adapter. If you want to use AirPods as a mic on PC, you might need a Lightning to USB connector as there is no other option in this case.

Female lightning cannot be used with male 3.5mm adaptors. These adapters do not exist because lightning transmits digital signals while 3.5mm uses analog.

Audio Splitter

Some people have a different port for the audio jack and a different port for the microphone jack. These audio splitters divide the audio into two different audio signals. One audio signal is used to receive the audio and the other one is used for outgoing audio.
But, this audio splitter is only used if your PC has a different headphone and microphone jack port.

How to Use Your Apple Earbuds[Wired & Wireless] as Mic on PC

Most people have wireless Apple earbuds but some prefer wired headphones to be used with their PC.
But, We will cover this article with both these products and with respect to their specifications and uses.

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Connect Your Apple Headphones to Your PC

a)Find the Recording Slot

First thing you have to identify the recording slot in your PC. In many devices and recent PCs, there is only 1 audio slot available to receive audio and use as a mic.
But, in a few PCs and old PCs, there are still two audio slots available, and both have their own functionality.

If your PC has only 1 slot, simply connect your AirPods to the slot.
If your PC has two different slots and you want to use AirPods as a mic, just identify the slot with a mic and plug your AirPods pin in that.

b)Configure the Audio Settings

Just follow the steps below to completely configure the Audio settings in your Apple Earbuds.

i) Open Your Control Panel

Open the search bar from the left bottom of your screen.
Search Control panel
Open Control Panel.

ii)Sound Setting

You have to find the “Hardware and Sound” in the control panel.
It may be named differently according to the device or the Windows version.
Go to Manage “Audio devices.”
Select “Recording.”
Find “External Mic.”

iii)Recording Devices Settings

• Click on the recording tab from the sound window
• Pick your Apple Headphones and set them as default
• Now, Go to Properties
• From Microphone properties, click on the Levels tab.
• Adjust the Microphone Levels and Microphone Boost sliders.
• Apply all the settings and save.

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PC is Not Recognizing Apple Headphones

• Sometimes, your PC is not recognizing your Apple headphones, try following the steps.
• Go to settings.
• Find system there
• From the menu, select Sound
• From there, choose Input Device.
• Select your Apple device.

Connecting Wireless Apple Headphones to PC

You may face difficulties in connecting wireless Apple headphones to a PC because there is no wired connection and you have to connect it via Bluetooth.

i)From Settings

• Go to settings on Windows 10
• Find Bluetooth.
• Add your device to Bluetooth devices
• Make sure your headphones are ready to pair.

ii)From Control Panel

• From the Control panel, you can also connect your Bluetooth.
• Go to the control panel.
• Search Bluetooth settings there.
• Check the box and Allow Bluetooth devices to find this PC.
• Save settings there,
• Again open the control panel.
• Select Bluetooth settings and add the device there.
• Make sure your headphones are ready to pair.
• Connect and pair both devices.

How to Use Your Apple Earbuds as a Mic on Skype

1. Open Skype and click on the three-dotted triggers.
2. Click on Audio and Video and select the Audio option
3. Choose Apple AirPods as Default.

How to Use Your Apple Earbuds as a Mic on Discord

1. Open Discord on your PC.
2. Click settings there.
3. Locate “voice and Audio”
4. Under the input devices, Select Apple earbuds.

How to Use Apple EarBuds as Mic for Zoom

1. When you join a Zoom meeting, you see there a pop-up saying ‘Join’ or ‘Test Audio’
2. Click on Test Speaker and Microphone.
3. A tone will be played. If you don’t hear that, just click No.
4. Go to the drop-down menu and select your Apple Headphones.
5. Now, check by joining zoom audio and if this is all clear, go ahead and select Join with Computer Audio.

How to adjust Microphone volume on a Computer

• Tap on the start menu from the lower left on your PC.
• Go to the control panel.
• Locate and click on the hardware and sound option.
• Tap on the recording tap there.
• Make sure your microphones are connected.
• Right-click on the mic and select properties.
• Click on the Levels tab there.
• Check the sound level and set it high.
• Apply settings and then press ok.

How to adjust Microphone volume on Mac

• Open System preference and locate Sound.
• Click on the Output tab.
• Make sure that earbuds are connected.

• Select Input volume.
• Increase it high.
• Apply and save all settings.

Frequently Asked Questions