Did you recently switch your phone from an Apple to an Android but still have your AirPods? Or are you trying to utilize the same AirPods you usually use on your iOS device with an additional Android device? AirPods are at the top of the game compared to other wireless earphones from well-known competitors. Although it offers incredible specs, the case is different when paired with an Android device.
Can AirPods Connect To Android Devices?
Even though AirPods are meant to work with Apple iOS devices, they can also work with Android devices. These wireless earphones are designed to work like any other Bluetooth headphones. What enables this seamless pairing of the AirPods to iOS and Android devices is the integrated H1 and W1 chip proprietary to Apple Inc.
The Apple H1 chip is used in AirPods Pro, AirPods Max AirPods 2nd and 3rd generation. On the other hand, the W1 chip comes built-in with the 1st generation of the AirPods. Hence, if you own an Android device, you can connect all four kinds of AirPods to it. Moreover, these chips can also pair the AirPods with any device wirelessly that supports the Bluetooth feature.
Whether it is an Android device, Windows laptop, or some other OS smartphone or tablet, the AirPods can easily connect to it. However, not all features of the AirPods will work on any Android device. This lack of functionality causes some hindrance but does not interfere with the general audio experience.
How AirPods Connect To Android Devices: A Brief Step-By-Step Guide
AirPods pair quite easily to iOS devices, though connecting to Android requires additional steps.
Most of the same steps are involved for pairing the AirPods to Android devices. However, you may face a slight difference depending on the brand and model of the Android device you have. The standard AirPods and AirPods Pro connect similarly, while the AirPods Max requires a different method.
To make the entire process easier for you to understand, we have compiled a step-by-step guide on connecting AirPods to your Android device.
- First and foremost, make sure the AirPods are situated inside the case. However, for AirPods Max, take it out of its casing.
- Open ‘Settings’ on your Android device, and tap on ‘Connected Devices.’ Select the ‘Pair New Device’ option to enable a connection between the AirPods and the Android device. Some Android devices will have the ‘Connection’ option that leads you to the Bluetooth settings. If so, turn on the Bluetooth to establish the devices’ pairing.
- Open the case to ensure wireless pairing for standard and Pro versions of AirPods. Though, this step is not required for the AirPods Max.
- Place the AirPods earphones near your Android device.
- To connect standard AirPods or AirPods Pro, press the white pairing button on the rear side of the case and hold it for a few seconds. For AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button for a few seconds.
- A tiny light will start flashing when the AirPods are ready to pair. This light is located on the front or inside the standard AirPods and AirPods Pro case. On AirPods Max, this light can be seen below the right ear cup.
- In the Bluetooth pairing menu on your Android device, check the AirPods entry on the list.
- Tap ‘Pair once you locate the AirPods on the Bluetooth devices list.’
With this last step, you would be able to connect your AirPods to an Android device successfully.
AirPods Features Not Compatible With Android Devices
As mentioned earlier, AirPods lose some of their functionality when paired with an Android device. Here are the features of AirPods you would not be able to access on your Android smartphone, tablet, etc.:
- Siri
You cannot access this virtual assistant proprietary to iOS on your Android devices. Hence, you have to manually change the audio and volume on an Android device rather than tell Siri to do it.
- Simple Pairing Process
When used with an iOS device, the AirPods only require a simple case opening to pair up. However, as already discussed above, although AirPods can pair with an Android device, several steps are involved in the setup.
- Spatial Audio
Although the general audio experience remains the same, the unique spatial audio feature is not compatible with Android devices. This unique feature helps enrich the audio to make it sound three-dimensional.
- Double Tap Customization
On an iOS device, you can set up a specific function on the double-tap feature. The functions can range from activating Siri to pausing, playing, or jumping to the next or previous track. But when paired with an Android device, the double-tap feature cannot be customized and can only serve to pause or play audio.
- Battery Indicator
When AirPods are connected to an Android device, you cannot check its battery level. As the battery level is indicated through the Today Center and Control Center on iOS devices, the lack of such applications on Android devices does not enable this feature.
- Automatic Switching
To connect your AirPods to different Android devices, you must pair and unpair them manually. However, on iOS devices, the iCloud linking enables smooth and quick switching without connecting every time manually.
- Auto-Ear Detection
Using AirPods on an Android device requires manually pausing or stopping the track before taking them out of your ear. The automatic ear detection feature only works on iOS devices and automatically pauses the audio when the earphone is not inserted.
- Single Airpod Listening
This feature is also enabled by automatic ear detection. Hence, you cannot use a single AirPod for listening but instead have to use both earbuds simultaneously for them to work.
How To Improve AirPods Functionality On Android Devices
A few Android applications are available by various developers that help improve the functionality of AirPods when connected to an Android device. The available applications that let you check the battery level include; Air Battery, Assistant Trigger, Material Pods, AndroPods, and more. Other than enabling the battery level indicator, these applications also offer the ear detection feature and double-tap customization for setting the google assistant shortcut.
Bottom Line
Even though pairing AirPods to an Android device requires a few extra steps, it still connects easily to provide a great audio experience. The only downside to connecting AirPods to Android devices is the loss of some functionality, but the different apps available can solve this problem too. Hence, if you already have a pair of AirPods earphones, you can use them with your Android devices and save money by not buying a different pair of headphones.
