How to use AirPod Max with Windows 11 laptop via Apple 3.5mm to Lightning cable?

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How to use AirPod Max with Windows 11 laptop via Apple 3.5mm to Lightning cable?

Hi,

I really liked the AirPod Max's when I first bought them, hey are comfortable, well-fitting and have great integration with Apple products. Over time, however, I have found that in many ways, they are also astonishingly behind the competition in a number of areas and have been since launch.

I have been trying to use my AirPod Max with my Windows 11 laptop via a wired connection, but have been unable to make it work so far. I have a genuine Apple 3.5mm to Lightning cable, since it appears that spending several hundreds of pounds on these headphones is not enough to also qualify for a wired cable and no other supplier in the world can provide a bidirectional cable except for Apple (at the obligatory exorbitant pricing, of course). I'm aware this has devolved into what seems like an Apple-moan, but I am a fan of many of Apple's products and software: I have had a string of iPhones going back to day 1, numerous iPads, Macbooks, Watches and iPods. Lately I feel that Apple is not justifying its halo position in the consumer tech world, and silly difficulties such as this are one example.

Can anyone advise exactly what steps I should take to enable my Max headphones to work with my Windows 11 laptop? I have tried every permutation of connecting the cable to the headphones and the laptop that I can think of, but whilst the headphones power on, the laptop does not recognise that they are connected at all.

I have found that AirPods in general (but especially the Max) can be a bit wayward when connecting via bluetooth to non-Apple products (despite connecting flawlessly to Apple products) and am getting a bit bored with the Max and their drawbacks compared to similarly-priced competitors.

Thanks

Windows, Windows 10

Posted on Jan 22, 2024 4:05 AM

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Answer 1

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lights_rage

Level 1

25 points

Jun 11, 2024 1:42 AM in response to HearMyMoo

Here is my major issue. I am blind. I cant see a light on the bottom of nothin. Not to be a pain or anything. But I want to basically switch the pairing between the phone and pc on demand. I should in theory be able to do that. I had it paired to windows. it dropped my volume of everything including my discord down though on the communications tab in control pannel sound i said not to do anything, it wont go into pairing mode and show itself for more than a second once in a blue moon and i am frustrated. My speech from my screen reader along with all my sound died for over an hour till I could find the old headset for my pc. all because this $633 headset from target via instacart and apple doesn't want to have a blind friendly way to pair with something. oh yeah. with apple devices it pairs with a flick of the wrist. I spent that two hours listening to my dexcom clang at me because I had to disable bluetooth on my apple devices fighting to get this thing to try and pair. the ****! someone help me with this mess. this old headset is a mess. I love these airpods when they do what I want them to do for almost my monthly income I should be able to do this without a hurculian effort of wills.

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Answer 2

maveris

Level 1

13 points

Jan 22, 2024 4:59 AM in response to HearMyMoo

Hi,

Actually I have the same problem. But in my opinion, the key is that there is no compatible audio driver in windows computer for AirPods Max if you want to connect it with cable.

So I think the only solution is to pair it with Bluetooth. And the link below is about the way to connect your AirPods to non-Apple devices.

Set up AirPods with your Mac and other Bluetooth devices - Apple Support

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How to use AirPod Max with Windows 11 laptop via Apple 3.5mm to Lightning cable?

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