Have you ever felt constrained by wires while using earphones with your Surface Pro? I certainly have. As amazing as the Surface Pro‘s big, beautiful touchscreen is for productivity and entertainment, it‘s missing one key ingredient: effortless, wireless audio.
That‘s where AirPods come in. Those slick Apple earbuds aren‘t just for iPhone users. With just a few quick steps, you can unlock their incredibly convenient wireless capabilities on your Surface Pro too.
In this guide, I‘ll provide everything you need to know about pairing AirPods with Surface – from maximizing features to troubleshooting every type of connectivity issue. Bid farewell to audio cables getting tangled ever again!
Why Use AirPods with Surface Pro?
Before we get set up, you may be wondering — why even use AirPods instead of regular Bluetooth headsets with my Surface?
Great question. Here are the key upsides AirPods offer:
Ultra-fast, reliable connections – AirPods utilize Apple‘s special H1 chip to enable near instant connections the moment you take them out of the case.
Crystal clear call and audio quality – Built-in mics block out external noise when making VoIP calls. Music and videos shine thanks to dynamically adjusting drivers.
All-day battery life – AirPods last around 5 hours playback on a charge, while the charging case provides an extra 24+ hours.
Sleek, lightweight comfort – AirPods are ergonomically designed to stay secure in your ears without any noise isolation or bulky headbands.
When we look at the data, AirPods outshine competing headsets on key aspects like latency rates and wireless range:
| Spec | AirPods | Average Bluetooth Earbuds |
|---|---|---|
| Latency (Delay) | 144 ms | 200+ ms |
| Wireless Range | 50+ feet | Up to 33 feet |
While you miss out on some Apple-exclusive capabilities compared to using AirPods with an iPhone (we‘ll discuss those next), the connectivity, design, and audio advantages make them a cut above the rest.
Now let‘s get them working their magic on your Surface!
Step-by-Step Guide to Pair AirPods with Surface
I‘ll walk you through each step required to get AirPods paired and connected to your Surface Pro. We‘ll ensure everything is good to go for wireless audio bliss!
Enter Pairing Mode
First, let‘s start by getting your AirPods discoverable so your Surface can find them:
- Place AirPods into opened charging case
- Press and hold setup button on back of case for 3+ seconds
- Watch for white status light to flash rapidly
Pro Tip: Ensure AirPods are charged before pairing, as low batteries can prevent successful connections.
This puts your AirPods into pairing mode for 2 minutes, allowing devices like your Surface to detect them for first-time setup.
Activate Surface Bluetooth Settings
Now we tell your Surface to start scanning:
- Open Settings app
- Click Devices then Bluetooth & other devices
- Toggle On Bluetooth setting if disabled
- Click Add Bluetooth or other device
- Select Bluetooth from next menu
Once Bluetooth is activated, your Surface will discover nearby devices actively broadcasting like your AirPods.
Connect Your AirPods
Almost there! A few final steps to complete the pairing process:
- Confirm AirPods appear as available device
- Click on AirPods name in list of discovered devices
- Wait for confirmation of successful pairing
- Click Done to finish connecting
After clicking your AirPods, you‘ll see them connect followed by "Connected" status. Simple as that!
Now audio from your Surface will automatically be routed to the AirPods for cable-free enjoyment.
What Features Do (and Don‘t) Work with AirPods + Surface
While AirPods connect easily to Surface, some capabilities remain limited without Apple ecosystem integration:
You Can Utilize:
- Immersive audio playback
- Near instant reconnections
- Cortana voice commands
- Volume/track controls
- Multi-device sharing
Unavailable Features:
- "Hey Siri" voice assistant
- Automatic device switching
- "Find My" AirPods tracking
- Audio sharing between AirPods
- Spatial/3D audio modes
- Dynamic head tracking
So while not identical, AirPods retain their most important features like great sound quality, convenient controls, long battery life, and multipoint connections.
You‘ll need to invoke Cortana instead of Siri for voice assistance. And automatic switching between Apple devices doesn‘t apply across your Windows machines.
But functions like theater-quality audio, easy device sharing, hands-free calling, and rock-solid connectivity still elevate AirPods as a top-tier wireless choice tailored for Surface Pro users.
Troubleshooting When AirPods Won‘t Connect
Frustrating as it is when tech doesn‘t cooperate, AirPods failing to function can often be quickly remedied.
Here are solutions for the most common AirPods pairing problems with Surface:
Issue: AirPods not appearing under Bluetooth devices
Fixes:
- Re-enter pairing mode properly
- Reset AirPods – forget devices then pair anew
- Ensure AirPods battery not depleted
- Restart Surface to refresh Bluetooth
Issue: Connected but no sound
Fixes:
- In Sounds settings, change default output to AirPods
- Double check volume controls on Surface itself
- Do full factory reset and re-pair AirPods
Issue: Choppy, distorted, or very delayed audio
Fixes
- Ensure strong WiFi signal without congestion
- Disable unnecessary connected devices hogging bandwidth
- Update Surface and AirPods to newest firmware
Following the steps relevant to your issue should restore full wireless capabilities. Reach out for 1-on-1 troubleshooting help fixing stubborn audio problems!
Final Takeaways: Wireless Freedom Awaits Your Surface
After reading this guide, your Surface should be ready to offer a best-in-class, cable-free audio experience.
While pairing AirPods takes just minutes, the benefits will revolutionize how you enjoy music, video calls, movies, games, and more day after day.
I hope this helped explain everything required to unlock AirPods‘ incredibly convenient wireless powers for your Surface Pro. Never deal with messy cords while moving around again!
Let me know if any other questions come up during the process. Enjoy those AirPods!
