Connect Two AirPods to One Mac

Want to watch a movie with someone without waking up the house? Share a playlist during a road trip? Listen to the same call on two pairs of AirPods? macOS does not have a built-in "share audio" button like iOS does, but there are several ways to make it work.

Method 1: Group Bluetooth Audio

The simplest way to play audio through two pairs of AirPods on a Mac. Group Bluetooth Audio is a free app that groups Bluetooth devices into a single output with independent volume control for each.

1. Pair both AirPods with your Mac. Open System Settings > Bluetooth and connect each pair. If the second pair does not appear, open the AirPods case near your Mac and press the setup button on the back of the case.
2. Download Group Bluetooth Audio from the Mac App Store.
3. Open the app and select both pairs of AirPods from the device list.
4. Done. Audio now plays through both pairs simultaneously. Each pair gets its own volume slider, so one person can listen louder than the other.

Your AirPods group is saved automatically, so the next time you open the app with both pairs connected it picks up right where you left off.

Method 2: Audio MIDI Setup

This is the manual approach using a built-in macOS utility. It works but has limitations.

1. Connect both pairs of AirPods in System Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Open Audio MIDI Setup (search for it in Spotlight).
3. Click the + button in the bottom-left and select Create Multi-Output Device.
4. Check the boxes next to both pairs of AirPods.
5. Enable Drift Correction for the second pair of AirPods.
6. Go to System Settings > Sound and select the new Multi-Output Device as your output.

The downside: your volume keys and the menu bar slider stop working. macOS disables volume control on multi-output devices, so you cannot adjust each pair independently. Both pairs play at the same level, and the only way to change it is from the physical device or the source app's volume slider.

Method 3: SharePlay / Audio Sharing

Apple has a built-in audio sharing feature, but it is designed for iPhone and iPad, not Mac. On iOS, you can bring a second pair of AirPods near your device and tap "Share Audio" in the Bluetooth menu. This does not work on macOS.

SharePlay lets you listen to music or watch video together, but it requires:

• Both people to have their own Apple device
• An internet connection
• A supported app (Apple Music, Apple TV, and a few third-party apps)
• Both people to have active subscriptions to the streaming service

For sharing audio from a single Mac to two pairs of AirPods, SharePlay is not the right tool. It is designed for remote listening across separate devices, not local audio sharing.

Why Group Bluetooth Audio Works Best

• Per-pair volume control. One person wants it loud, the other wants it quiet. Each pair of AirPods gets its own volume slider. Audio MIDI Setup does not offer this.
• Persistent groups. You do not have to recreate the multi-output device every time. Open the app and your AirPods group is ready.
• Works with any audio source. Music apps, video players, web browsers, video calls — anything that outputs audio on your Mac plays through both pairs.
• No internet required. Unlike SharePlay, everything runs locally on your Mac.
• Keyboard shortcuts. Volume up, down, and mute keys work with your grouped AirPods, which they do not with a manual multi-output device.

Tips for Best Results

• Keep both AirPods cases open while connecting to ensure a stable Bluetooth connection.
• Charge both pairs before a long listening session. Playing through two pairs does not drain your Mac's battery faster, but the AirPods themselves use their own battery.
• Sit within range. Bluetooth works best within about 10 meters (30 feet). Walls and interference can reduce range.
• Restart Bluetooth if a pair does not connect. Toggle Bluetooth off and on in System Settings, then try again.