AirPods are well known to be Apple`s earbuds designed for iPhones. However, if you`re an Android user, and long for AirPods capabilities, despair not, you can! Here`s how to connect AirPods to an Android phone.
How to Pair AirPods to an Android Smartphone:
- Open up the AirPods case.
- Go to the Bluetooth settings on your Android device.
- On the AirPods case, hold the pairing button at the back.
- Look for AirPods in the list of Bluetooth accessories and then tap the “Pair” button.
After tapping “Pair,” the AirPods should successfully connect to your Android device.
Advantages and Disadvantages using AirPods with Android Devices
Pros:
Ok, so AirPods functionality with Android straight out of the box will be limited, except for the double tap feature, that will still work to play or pause music.
Another advantage to opt for AirPods is Bluetooth connectivity, since AirPods have a much longer range or distance than any other Bluetooth-enabled headphones.
Also, the charging case is handy, compact and easily to charge, most importantly it gives you 24 hours of battery life! Obviously, make sure that you hold an Apple Lightning cable.
Cons:
One reason that might reduce your appetite to opt for AirPods would be audio quality, since they will not perform as well on Android as they do on Apple`s devices, for which they were designed.
Solution:
However, there are Android apps to go around this, and other features, as we will mention further down below in this article.
Do Android users get all the features of AirPods?
Of course, you do lose some unique features like Apple`s AirPods pairing style which is seamless, but as long as AirPods work just like any other Bluetooth headphones with Android devices, you are good to go, functionality is key here.
Here’s a list of AirPods features you lose out on when using the AirPods with Android:
- Siri. On iPhone, you can summon Siri by pressing or tapping the AirPods for doing things like changing songs, adjusting volume, or just asking simple questions. If you have AirPods 2 or 3, you can also use “Hey Siri” to activate Siri.
- Customizing Double Tap. On an iOS device, you can change what the tap/press does in the Settings. Options include accessing Siri, Play/Pause, Next Track, and Previous Track.
- Automatic switching. Since AirPods are linked to an iCloud account for Apple users, it allows them to easily switch between using the AirPods with an iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, and Mac.
- Simple setup. If you are pairing with an Apple device, it only requires you to open the case near said device and following the quick setup steps.
- Checking AirPods battery. On Apple devices, you can ask Siri about the AirPods battery life or check it from the Today Center on iPhone or the Control Center on Apple Watch.
- Automatic ear detection. On Apple devices, when you remove an AirPod from your ear, it pauses whatever you’re listening to until you put the AirPod back into your ear.
- Single AirPod listening. While on Android, you need to have both AirPods out of the case for them to connect, on Apple devices you can listen to music even on a single AirPod since it uses ear detection functionality.
- Spatial Audio. This means that you will have a more immersive listening experience for Apple Music, that makes it sound like audio is coming from all around you. However, this only works when paired with Apple devices, specifically when using AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro.
As aforementioned though, one can obtain some of the above mentioned bells and whistles via specific Android apps. We are listing four hereunder for a quick look, which can be downloaded from Android`s PlayStore:
1. Assistant Trigger
This simple app enables you to summon Google Assistant instead of Siri, with a quick double-tap. This will work on either AirPod and even when the screen is locked. Moreover, with the app pro version, it can display battery level in the notification bar.
2. MaterialPods: Get iOS style AirPods popup
When using AirPods on Apple devices, every time you open the case near said device, it will pop-up its battery level. This app enables that feature and shows you battery life of both AirPods and their case. Moreover, ear detection feature of AirPods works with MaterialPods on selected apps namely Spotify, Netflix and YouTube, where it pauses the audio pauses the audio when you take out one of the AirPods from your ear.
3. Equalizer: Configure the sound for AirPods
Now, we all know that audiophiles, dedicated music lovers or connoisseurs, can`t listen to music without refining it with a good equaliser, so here`s one to check out. This app adds some much needed oomph to your AirPods, and it also offers 9 pre-sets like Normal, Classical, Folk, Pop, Hip-hop, Rock, etc. If you want to create your own pre-sets, you can purchase the full version of the app.
4. Wunderfind: Find Your AirPods when lost
Wunderfind is the alternative to iOS `Find My` app, as it offers the same functionality of locating your AirPods on Android. Just make sure that the AirPods are connected to your smartphone and open the app. The app would sense all the nearby Bluetooth devices and give you an option to play audio.
Wunderfind also offers a radar feature that estimates the location by approximating the distance based on the signal strength.
Closure:
Concluding, AirPods features can be accessed and enjoyed also by Android users. This article was meant to make you aware of all the features, options, and as a step-by-step guide when utilising AirPods with Android devices, trust it was of assistance. You`re welcome!
