Download AirBuddy for Mac

In the edit

One-click connection is the feature that sold me. With AirBuddy, you click an AirPods or Beats device in the menu bar and you’re connected — no digging into Bluetooth settings. It’s the kind of shortcut that saves a few seconds every time, and those add up across a day of editing.

It tracks usage history for the last 12 or 24 hours, including total listening and talk time. If you juggle multiple devices during a work day, it makes that part of the workflow feel less fiddly.

Runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 14 or later

AirBuddy 3 is built for macOS 14 and later, and it runs on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. That covers most machines still getting system updates, whether you’re on an older Intel iMac or a newer M-series laptop. The app itself is lightweight — it sits in the menu bar and doesn’t demand much from your system while it’s running. You install it once, follow the included activation steps, and it’s ready to go.

The interface is in English, and there’s no complicated setup wizard. After installation, you’ll see a new icon in the menu bar.

Because it uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to communicate with your devices, expect it to work best when your AirPods or Beats are already paired to your Mac via the usual Bluetooth method. AirBuddy enhances that connection — it doesn’t replace it. So if your headphones are already paired, AirBuddy picks them up immediately.

How a studio photographer juggles AirPods, keyboard, and mouse

Say you’re a photographer who edits tethered in a studio. You keep your AirPods Pro in your ears for music or client calls, and you’ve also got a Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse that you move between a MacBook Pro and an iMac depending on where you’re working. Normally, switching those peripherals between Macs means unpairing and repairing, or plugging in a cable. With AirBuddy’s Magic Handoff, you can move the mouse, keyboard, or trackpad from one Mac to the other without re-pairing. It’s a small convenience, but when you’re in the middle of a shoot and need to grab something from the other machine, it saves you from fumbling with Bluetooth settings.

The same applies if you use different headphones for different tasks. Maybe you switch from AirPods Pro to Powerbeats Pro when you head out for a location scout.

Set connection modes to automate device behavior

Once you have AirBuddy running, there are a few settings you’ll want to adjust early.

Next, look at the connection modes. These let you set what happens when you connect a specific device. That saves you from adjusting those settings every time. You can also set the microphone state, which is useful if you switch between music and calls frequently.

Usage history is another setting to check. You can choose between the last 12 hours, 24 hours, or the previous day. If you track your listening habits for work or personal reasons, setting it to 24 hours gives you a good daily overview.

Fix AirBuddy not detecting your AirPods or Beats

One issue people sometimes run into is that AirBuddy doesn’t detect their AirPods or Beats right away. This usually happens if the devices aren’t already paired to the Mac through the standard Bluetooth process. The fix is simple: pair them normally first, then AirBuddy will recognise them. If they’re already paired and still not showing, try toggling Bluetooth off and on, or restarting the app.

Another snag is that Magic Handoff might not work between two Macs if they’re not on the same iCloud account or if Bluetooth is disabled on one machine. Make sure both Macs are signed into the same Apple ID and that Bluetooth is active on both. Also, check that both machines are on the same Wi-Fi network, as Handoff uses both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to coordinate.

Some users find that the listening mode switching via trackpad gesture doesn’t respond every time. This can be a matter of the gesture not being recognised properly. Try adjusting the gesture sensitivity in the AirBuddy preferences, or make sure you’re using a supported trackpad — the built-in one on a MacBook or the Magic Trackpad works best.

If you’re running the beta version (3.0-890), remember that it’s a beta. Occasional quirks are part of the deal. If something feels off, check the release notes on the developer’s site to see if it’s a known issue. And if you ever need to reset things, removing the app and reinstalling it with the included activation steps usually clears up persistent problems.

New this release

• Menu bar icon options: app icon, battery indicator, or hidden
• Shows batteries, connects AirPods, controls playback
• Move peripherals between Macs from the same interface

Mac it needs

• macOS 14 or later
• Intel or Apple Silicon Mac