Do AirPods work with Android devices? The answer is yes, AirPods use Bluetooth technology to connect, but you need to install a suitable control app to get full functionality. This includes checking the current battery level of the AirPods and charging case, and the ability to control music or calls with them.
Several apps are available to control AirPods on Android devices. We’ll walk you through how to connect AirPods to Android and also explain how to manage and use certain apps like AirBattery Here’s everything you need to know about how to get AirPods to work with Android.
AirPods and Android: an unhappy combination
Once you buy one Apple product, it is very easy to involve it in the Apple ecosystem along with others. Apple products are rarely paired with third-party devices, and Android devices, which are the main competitor in the mobile market, are no different. AirPods work great with iPhone or Mac, but for Android, you’ll need a little more.
That’s not to say that some features won’t work right out of the box, but many of the AirPod’s must-have features like ear detection to automatically stop music playback won’t work without a third-party app installed. Fortunately, Android app developers have stepped up and there are now several AirPod control apps available.
We have already mentioned one of them – AirBattery, which has been downloaded over a million times on the Google Play store. However, others are available, including AirDroid and PodAir Each of these apps tries to offer the same features for AirPods that you’ll see on iOS and macOS devices, but your own experience may be different.
If one app doesn’t work, try another. Your success with using them may vary depending on the app or your device, but they are not guaranteed to work. Unfortunately, even with these apps installed, you won’t have the same hassle-free experience as on the iPhone, but it will come close.
Pair AirPods with Android
Just like you can connect a PS4 controller to an Android device, AirPods should be able to connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device. Almost all Android devices available have Bluetooth connectivity, so unless your Android device is too old, pairing your AirPods with Android shouldn’t be a problem.
Of course, these steps may differ depending on your Android version and your device type. These instructions should work with a modern version of Android (Android 10) and the process should be the same for other versions as well.
- You will need to turn on Bluetooth on your Android device before you can pair it. You can do this by swiping down to access the notification bar and tapping the Bluetooth tile, or by tapping the Bluetooth slider in the Android settings menu. This can be specified in another submenu such as “Connections” on Samsung devices.
- With Bluetooth turned on, you can start searching for your AirPods. With AirPods in the charging case and case open, press and hold the setting button on the back of the case. When your AirPods are in pairing mode, the LED indicator at the top of the case will flash white.
- While the LED is flashing, enter the Bluetooth settings menu and check the list of available devices. If you don’t see AirPods listed, click Scan. Click on the list of devices for your AirPods in the list to start the pairing process, click OK to confirm. After the pairing process is complete, your AirPods should be moved to the Paired Devices section.
Once paired, AirPods should work for normal calls and audio playback. Many advanced features are not supported by Android, so you’ll need to install the AirPod control app.
Install the AirPod Control App
The app to manage your AirPods lets you skip tracks by touching AirPods, automatically pause AirPods when you take one out of your ear, and check the battery level of your AirPods and charging case.
We recommend AirBattery or AirDroid (not to be confused with the popular file transfer app), but many similar apps are available on the Google Play store. These instructions tell you how to install and use AirBattery on Android, but the steps should be the same for other apps.
- Start by installing AirBattery from the Google Play store. When you first open the app, you will need to give it certain permissions to control your device. Click “Grant Permission” and follow the onscreen instructions for your Android version to allow the app to access each setting.
- Select your AirPods from the list. AirBattery, for example, supports various AirPods clones alongside Apple’s official versions. After selecting your device, click OK to continue.
- After you select your device from the list, AirBattery will be configured. You can view your AirPods status by swiping down on the notification bar. By tapping on the AirBattery notification or by opening the AirBattery app directly, you can see the current battery level and can also access other AirBattery settings. Click the wrench icon to access the AirBattery settings.
- You will need to enable AirPod Ear Detection for your AirPods to automatically pause any video or music playback when you remove one or both of your ears. Click the slider next to this option under Behavior in the AirBattery settings menu.
- Enabling AirPod Ear Detection in AirBattery disables the Live Notification Panel. If you’d rather keep this feature on, turn off the AirPod’s ear detection by clicking the slider next to it, and then tap Show Notification under Notifications.
After installing and configuring AirBattery (or another AirPod management app), your Android device should have almost full functionality enabled. For example, you won’t be able to set up AirPods to activate Siri, but you should be able to use other AirPods features like ear detection and skip tracks.
Use AirPods Productively
When asked “Do AirPods work with Android?” this is the wrong question. As we’ve shown here, AirPods can work well with Android devices, but you’ll need a third-party app to get full functionality. It’s a little easier to use AirPods on Windows, but you’ll find that they work best with iOS and macOS.
You can also change the function of your AirPods to use them in other ways, especially on an iPhone or Mac. What devices do you use your AirPods with? Let us know in the comments below.
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