However, there is a catch: AirPods can be used with Android devices.

It's no secret that since their release in late 2016, AirPods have risen to the top of the headphone popularity charts. They are a handy way to listen to music, podcasts, and more on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and they debuted at the same time as the trend of phones ditching headphone jacks.

Perhaps you're curious if AirPods are compatible with Android, though. It's possible that you're reading this article because you've recently made the switch from iPhone to Android, or because you want to use your Apple AirPods with an Android Learn how to pair your AirPods with an Android device and take advantage of all they have to offer!

Connecting AirPods to an Android Device?

In a nutshell, the answer is yes, AirPods are compatible with Android devices. AirPods are compatible with Samsung and other Android devices because at their core they are still Bluetooth earbuds. The headphones work with any Bluetooth-enabled gadget, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. As we'll see below, connecting your AirPods to an Apple device allows you to access some of their useful features, but not all of them.

Not only does this apply to the original AirPods, but also to any of Apple's other cutting-edge headphones. Those of you who use Android will be pleased to know that the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max function normally. However, if you don't already own an Apple device (see below for more on this), we strongly advise against making such an investment due to the high cost and the fact that you won't be able to take full advantage of all of the devices' features on Android.

Using Bluetooth, AirPods can be paired with any Bluetooth-enabled device, including Android devices. The specific procedures for doing so with an Android device will vary, but generally consist of the following:

1. To pair a new device with your Android device, go to the Settings menu, then tap Connected devices. Doing so will initiate the Bluetooth pairing process on your phone.
2. Make sure the charging case is open before putting your AirPods or AirPods Pro in it.
   1. Pull your AirPods Max from their carrying case.
3. Keep your finger on the case's tiny button for a few seconds.
   1. When using the AirPods Max, press and hold the volume up and noise canceling buttons.
4. A light on the inside or outside of the case will begin flashing when your AirPods are ready to be paired.
   1. In the case of the AirPods Max, the indicator light is located at the base of the right earcup.
5. When you open the Bluetooth pairing menu, you should see an option for AirPods. You can use this button to connect your AirPods to your Android device.

All you need to do to get your AirPods functioning with Android is that. The new features make them functionally equivalent to other Bluetooth earbuds. If you're having issues with Bluetooth on Android, check out our troubleshooting guide.

AirPods can be used with Android devices, but Apple products are where they really shine. Since this is the case, using AirPods with Samsung devices or any other non-Apple platform means giving up a number of useful features.

One of the drawbacks, the pairing process, has already been encountered by you. As soon as you open the case near your AirPods and tap the Connect button, your AirPods will be paired with your iPhone or iPad. Furthermore, after doing so, your AirPods will be compatible with all of the devices associated with your Apple ID.

The other AirPods features that are incompatible with Android are as follows:

• You can't use Siri to manage your music or get answers to questions on an Android device, as would be expected. AirPods also don't have built-in support for Google Assistant.
• Using the iPhone, you can alter the behavior of the double-tap gesture for your AirPods. A few examples of shortcuts are the ability to skip songs, call up Siri, and play/pause the music. Unfortunately, Android users can only use the double-tap method for playing and pausing.
  • You can modify this feature on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and then use the modified control on your Android device. Those without Apple products face a significant barrier because of this.
• If you take out your AirPods while using an Apple device, the music will automatically pause until you put them back in your ear.
• When using AirPods with an Android device, you can't easily check the battery life by asking Siri or looking at the device itself. Even though the Android OS may show the remaining battery life of any Bluetooth devices you have paired, this won't tell you if the buds' batteries are at different levels or how much longer the case will last.

In spite of the fact that not all of the best AirPods features are natively supported on Android, resourceful programmers have created workarounds. Some apps for Android can expand the capabilities of your AirPods.

Apps like AirBattery, which serve this function, haven't been updated in a very long time. We suggest AndroPods as a one-stop shop for all your mobile needs. You can check the status of both your AirPods and their charging case. When your AirPods are paired with your phone, a notification will appear.

Tap your AirPods four times to access Google Assistant without having to pull out your phone. This feature is available in the paid version, which can be purchased for a few dollars. With this purchase, you'll also gain the ability to resume listening to music where you left off when you reinserted your AirPods.

To use AirPods with Android is greatly improved by this app, which is not flawless but does a good job. Not what you were looking for? Try out something like Assistant Trigger. Features like in-ear detection and double-tapping to activate Google Assistant are included, though the full set of tools is only available in the premium version.

Get AndroPods for Android (it's free, and there's a paid version, too).

Check out the (freemium) Android app Assistant Trigger.

We've established that pairing AirPods with an iPhone results in a seamless experience that strengthens the bond between the two devices. However, the AirPods become a fairly standard pair of Bluetooth earbuds when paired with Android.

You should check out the best wireless earbuds for Android if you don't already own a pair of AirPods and plan to use earbuds primarily with your phone.

The price of other wireless earbuds ranges widely, so you can choose between a cheap pair that won't last and a high-quality pair with superior sound. Additionally, many of them are compatible with the Google Assistant or the Alexa, so you can still benefit from a wireless assistant.

Congratulations, you are now an expert on pairing your AirPods with an Android device (or any other Bluetooth device). You won't have quite the same level of polish as on iOS or macOS, but you can still enjoy many of the perks of Apple's popular earbuds on Android.

Still, if you don't have an Apple product, AirPods aren't the best option. Consider switching to a product with better platform integration.