How to connect AirPods to Android is simpler than you think

While AirPods work best with other Apple products, you can also use them with your Android phone. But you should be aware of the limitations, as doing so will eliminate a lot of useful features.

Can AirPods connect to Android?

Yes, you can use AirPods with Android devices. Because they're still Bluetooth headphones at heart, AirPods work with Android, including Samsung phones. This also means they're compatible with any Bluetooth- enabled device , including most Windows laptops and some smart TVs .

However, these devices cannot take advantage of all the convenient features that AirPods offer when connected to an Apple device.

Note : This happens to all AirPods models, including AirPods Pro and Max.

1. How to pair AirPods with PC, Mac, and other devices

How to Connect AirPods to an Android Phone (or Any Other Device)

Pairing AirPods with your Android device is easy. Follow these steps (they may be slightly different depending on your device):

Note :

1. These steps apply to all AirPods Pro and AirPods models 1-3. For AirPods 4, double-tap the front of the charging case to enter pairing mode.
2. For AirPods Max, take them out of the charging case and hold the noise control button to pair. The light is on the bottom of the right earcup.

1. On your Android phone, open Settings > Connected devices > Pair new device . This will put your phone into Bluetooth pairing mode.
2. Place AirPods or AirPods Pro in the charging case and keep the case open.
3. Hold the small button on the back of the case for a few seconds to put your AirPods into pairing mode.
4. When your AirPods are ready to pair, a white light will start flashing inside or on the front of the case (depending on your model).
5. You'll see an entry for AirPods in your phone's Bluetooth pairing menu. Tap it to pair your AirPods with Android.

You may also need to confirm a final prompt asking if you want to sync contacts.

You can now use your AirPods with your Android phone like any other Bluetooth headphones. If you're having trouble, check out our guide to fixing Bluetooth problems on Android .

While the article focuses on Android here, this general process can also be applied to pairing AirPods with any other Bluetooth-enabled device, such as using Bluetooth in Windows 11 .

Disadvantages of using AirPods with Android

While AirPods are compatible with Android, they are unsurprisingly made primarily for Apple devices, so you'll lose some of the convenience features when using AirPods on non-Apple platforms.

You've already encountered one of the downsides: The pairing process. Thanks to a special chip in the charging case, connecting your AirPods to your iPhone or iPad is simple: Just open the charging case near your iPhone/iPad and tap Connect . Plus, once you do this, your AirPods are automatically ready to use with other devices associated with your Apple ID.

Here are some other AirPods features that don't work on Android:

1. Accessing Siri : As you'd expect, on Android, there's no Siri control for controlling music or asking questions. There's no native access to Google Assistant or Gemini when using AirPods.
2. Spatial Audio : AirPods can make sound sound like it's coming from all around you, but this doesn't work on Android.
3. Customizable double-tap functionality : On iPhone, you can change what double-tapping or squeezing an AirPod does. Shortcuts include skipping songs, calling up Siri, and changing sound modes. This doesn't work on Android, so you'll have to use the default functionality for these inputs.
   
   1. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can customize this feature with one of those devices and then use the custom controls with your Android phone. However, there's no solution if you don't have an Apple device.
4. Ear Detection : When used with Apple devices, AirPods will detect when you remove them from your ears and pause your music until you put them back in. This feature does not work on Android.
5. Easy Battery Check : When connected to Android, you can't easily check the battery life of your AirPods on your phone. Some versions of Android show the battery life of connected Bluetooth devices, but this feature won't tell you if the two earbuds are at different levels or the battery life of the case.

There are great AirPods alternatives for Android

As discussed in the article, using AirPods with an iPhone is a seamless experience that ties the two devices together. However, when used with Android, AirPods become a pretty basic pair of Bluetooth headphones.

If you want a quality pair of headphones to use with your Android device, we recommend looking at the best wireless headphones, which will work better with your phone.

Other wireless earbuds are available at a wide range of prices, meaning you can buy a disposable set for much less or opt for a high-quality pair with better sound. Plus, many of them have Google Assistant or Alexa support, so you don't miss out on having a wireless assistant.

If you're not sure where to start and want something that's as close to AirPods as possible, consider the Pixel Buds Pro 2 or Galaxy Buds 3 Pro if you have a Pixel or Samsung phone.