If you use Apple’s new AirPod earbud headphones, you may have noticed that they will show up as available on your Apple iCloud connected devices, including your Apple computer. You’ll see them as an available audio output device under the volume control.
However, sometimes the AirPods won’t show up in the dropdown menu under the volume control.
In such cases you’ll need to click on the Bluetooth dropdown menu. If the Bluetooth menu isn’t showing, go to System Preferences > Bluetooth and check the box that says “Show Bluetooth in menu bar.”
From the Bluetooth menu bar there’s an option to Connect to the AirPods.
Also, in System Preferences > Bluetooth, you’ll notice the ability to configure options for the AirPods such as selecting what tapping on the AirPods will do (activate Siri or play/pause audio). You can also set how the beam forming microphones will work (left, right, or automatic). Automatic Ear Detection can also be turned on or off. This is the feature where the AirPods automatically sense when they have been put in your ear and they can start or resume playing music automatically.
Iowa City Technology Services 