How to use Apple AirPods with an Android phone
– It’s easy to do with AirPods, AirPods 2 or AirPods Pro
While the Apple Watch remains only for iPhones and iOS, Apple chose a different route with its earphones, making them compatible with any device with a Bluetooth connection.
As a result, Apple AirPods or AirPods Pro can be used with an Android phone just like any other set of Bluetooth earphones.
The pairing process isn’t as aesthetically appealing or convenient as using your AirPods Pro with an iPhone, but it’s still simple enough, and you don’t lose too many capabilities once you’re linked. Or, at the very least, none of the important ones.
Here’s how to pair your Apple AirPods or AirPods Pro with an Android handset, as well as the functions they provide.
How to connect Apple AirPods or AirPods Pro to your Android phone
The Apple AirPods connect to an Android handset in the same manner that any other Bluetooth device does. Simply follow the procedures below to pair them:
When you’ve finished these steps, your AirPods should be connected to your device and will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case and insert them into your ears.
1. Open your Android device’s Bluetooth settings.
2. Choose Pair a New Device.
3. To pair your Apple AirPods, open the case.
4. When the AirPods appear on the screen, tap them to confirm pairing them.
5. If they don’t appear, press and hold the back of the AirPods case’s button until the LED light between the AirPods flashes. This puts the AirPods in pairing mode, and you may go back to step 4 to complete the process.
When you’ve finished these steps, your AirPods should be connected to your device and will reconnect automatically whenever you open the case and insert them into your ears.
What features do Apple AirPods offer when connected to an Android device?
Apple AirPods work in the same way as other Bluetooth headphones once they’re linked. The following features will be available to you:
- Play and pause control by double-tapping an AirPod whilst it’s in your ear
- Music and film audio
- Call audio
- Any other audio that would normally play through your phone’s speakers
The functionality of AirPods Pro is significantly different, although all of the important functionalities are available:
- Play and pause music by pressing the AirPod Pro stem once
- Skip forwards by pressing twice quickly
- Skip back by triple-pressing
- Press and hold the stem to activate/de-active noise cancelling or ambient listening mode
Call audio does not automatically transmit back to your phone when you pull the AirPods out of your ears, unlike when linked to an iPhone. Similarly, the AirPods’ battery indicator will not appear on your Android device, so you’ll have to keep track of how many hours you’ve been listening in order to know when to charge them.
Alternatively, you can use the Google Play Store to download an app called Assistant Trigger. This will display the battery life of your AirPods on your phone and allow you to double-tap an AirPod to start Google Assistant or Bixby.
If you really want to use AirPods with your Android phone, there’s nothing stopping you. The Samsung Galaxy Buds or OnePlus Buds, on the other hand, might tempt you.