- Can Apple Airpods work with different Android devices?
- What Apple Airpod features work with Android devices?
- How do I pair and connect my Airpods and Airpods Pro to my Android device?
Are you a loyal Android devotee considering investing in a pair of Airpods or Airpod Pros? You might wonder whether Airpods are even compatible with your Android device and whether they can seamlessly pair and connect.
It’s a valid question, as Apple has a reputation of making it hard for non-iOS users to use their products.
Thankfully, the answers are (mostly) positive. We’ve put together this brief guide on setting up your Airpods and Airpod Pros with the most modern Android devices, including mobiles, laptops, and smart TVs.
Do Airpods Work With Android Devices?
The short and lucky answer is yes, Airpods and Airpod Pros can pair with and perform many of their primary functions on Android devices. Airpods use Bluetooth to pair and connect with other devices, so as long as your Android device has functional Bluetooth, you’re good to go.
Which Airpod and Airpod Pro Features Don’t Work With Android?
It should be noted that not all of the Airpods features and operations are available on Android devices. Airpods naturally work much better with Apple products, as this serves Apple’s best interests. Apple has also reserved a few handy useful features (like muting the Airpods when you remove one from your ear and certain playback controls) exclusively for its Apple devices.
Voice command services like Siri and Google Assistant are not available when you use Airpods and Airpod Pros with an Android device. Also, users will have to manually pair and connect their Airpods via Bluetooth. Apple automatically initiates pairing with new Airpods when you open the charging case close to your device.
Apple users can also use other Airpod-specific services like the ‘Find My’’ app and the Ear Tip Test. Unfortunately, the door to this service has been closed to Android users. Sadly you also lose some playback quality when using Airpods with an Android device, as Airpods rely on an Apple-specific AAC codec for its audio quality, which Android doesn’t have.
How To Pair Your Airpods & Airpods Pro With A Mobile Android Device
1. Place both Airpods in the charging case and within close range of your Android device. Make sure that your Android device and Airpods have been sufficiently charged.
2. With the lid open, press and hold the status button at the back of the charging case until the LED flashes white. This will initiate pairing mode.
3. Open the Settings menu on your Android device and then the Bluetooth menu. Switch your Bluetooth and scan for new Bluetooth devices.
4. Once your Airpods appear on the list of Available Devices, tap on their label to begin pairing.
5. Some devices require a 4-digit password for safe pairing. The password for Airpods & Airpods Pro is usually 0000 or 1234.
How To Pair Your Airpods & Airpods Pro With An Android TV
- Place both Airpods in the charging case and within close range of your Android TV.
- Press the status button on the charging case until its LED flashes orange. This will initiate pairing mode.
- Open the Bluetooth menu on your Android TV and open the Remote & Accessory tab. Select Add New Accessory.
- Your Android TV will begin scanning for Available Devices automatically. Once your Airpods appear under the list of Available Devices, tap on them to begin pairing.
- Some devices require a 4-digit password for safe pairing. The password for Airpods & Airpods Pro is usually 0000 or 1234.
How To Pair Your Airpods & Airpods Pro With An Android Tablet
- Place both Airpods in the charging case and within close range of your Android tablet. Make sure that your Android device and Airpods have been sufficiently charged.
- With the charging case’s lid open, press and hold the status button until the LED flashes orange. This action will initiate pairing mode.
- Open the Settings menu on your Android tablet and then the Connections tab. Open the Bluetooth menu in this tab and turn the tablet’s Bluetooth on.
- Tap on Search for Devices to find your Airpods. Once your Airpods appear under the list of Available Devices, tap on their label to begin pairing.
- Some devices require a 4-digit password for safe pairing. The password for Airpods & Airpods Pro is usually 0000 or 1234.
Which Airpod and Airpod Pro Features Work With Android?
If none of the setbacks above sway your decision to purchase Airpods or Airpod Pros, you’ll be happy to know that the audio playback and microphone functions work just fine. You can also perform most of the primary playback touch controls on the Airpods, like play, pause, and song skip.
All active cancellation properties are fully functional when using your Airpods with Android devices. You can also use transparency mode while using Airpods and Airpod Pros with any Android device. Transparency mode allows certain audio signals to cut through your noise cancellation to help you navigate busy environments while using your Airpods.
Certain third-party apps can help users regain some Apple-specific user functions, like in-ear testing, voice command, and power monitoring services. Some are free apps, and some may require in-app purchases. It’s best to do a healthy amount of research before purchasing or installing any third-party apps to avoid malicious malware or damaging the Airpods.
Final Thoughts
Apple Airpods and Airpod Pros can provide most of their primary functionality and user features when using them alongside Android devices. Pairing and connecting these devices to your Airpods and Airpod Pros is a fairly seamless process and can be done with little to no outside assistance.
However, it should be noted that some audio quality and certain user functions are lost when using Airpods and Airpod Pros with Android devices. These drawbacks are minor, but some hardened audiophiles may think twice before buying Airpods or Airpod Pros for their Android devices.