How to use AirPods with Android

The Apple’s AirPods they are certainly among the best true wireless headphones around. Of course they are made specifically for work perfectly with Apple devices, primarily with the iPhone. However, sometimes, it may happen that they are also used by owners of Android devices.

In this case, then, the question may arise: how will they work? Well, the AirPods, despite being designed for Apple products, they can also work on other types of devices with Bluetooth support.

In this guide, therefore, we will illustrate all the steps to follow to connect the headphones to Android phones or tabletsalthough it should be clarified that in these cases only the basic functions of the AirPods can be used – for example, it will not be possible to use Siri – unless some third party apps are used.

The first step to complete to connect the AirPods on an Android device is turn on Bluetooth. To do this it is necessary access the notification center or to settings and access the section “Connections”. From here you will be able to activate Bluetooth.

At this point, as indicated on the official Cupertino website, you need to follow these steps:

• Open the charging case of the AirPods;
• Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status indicator light flashes white;
• When the AirPods appear in the list of Bluetooth devices, you will need to select them.

If you have followed these steps carefully, you will already be able to speak and listen to music through the AirPods. If not, you will have to repeat these operations more carefully.

As for the functions, not all of them are available on Android devices. Of course you can lower / raise the volume, as well as answer / hang up phone calls (with a single touch it will also be possible to start or stop audio playback). Furthermore, by exclaiming “Ok, Google”, it will be possible to activate the voice assistant of Google.

One of the coolest applications for using AirPods on Android devices is called CAPod. This is a completely open source and free app.

Once downloaded and installed, the app scans your surroundings for compatible AirPods. Once connected, you will be able to see the battery percentage of each earbud and charging case as well as whether a earbud is inserted in the ear or not.

Furthermore, always via CAPod, it will be possible to check if the audio is playing or which earphone is acting as a microphone. Surely, among the most interesting aspects of this software is the opportunity to check the battery levels, which Android, by default, does not allow.

Finally, despite being one of the most complete apps, you won’t be able to take advantage of features like Siri, custom spatial audio, and more. In short, there is certainly something more than the simple configuration on Android, but the experience on Apple devices is distant.

Finally, speaking of AirPods, it may be useful to consult our guide on how to clean and sanitize AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and EarPods.

AirDrod

A completely free app that can be installed on Android devices to make the most of AirPods can be AirDrod. Once downloaded and installed, you need to open the app to enable permissions and change the desired settings. As soon as you plug in the headphones, then you will be able to view the battery levels and take advantage of an automatic popup as soon as you connect the earphones.

Furthermore, unlike other apps, only your AirPods will always be shown, even if there may be others nearby. The only thing to consider is that with some phones from Chinese brands – such as Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo and Huawei – there may be problemsi since, as explained by the developers, “these companies don’t always use standard Bluetooth hardware in their phones. If you own one of these phones and the app doesn’t work, please contact us at contactus.airdroid@gmail.com so we can investigate the issue. “

In the end, the app shows battery levels only at 10% intervals (100% | 90% | 80% | etc) as AirPods send rather limited data to Android devices.

AirBattery

Another app that can be used to connect Apple’s AirPods to Android devices is AirBattery, available for free download through the Play Store. However, it should be noted that to unlock some premium features, the full version must be purchased for the price of 1.19 euros.

In any case, the app allows you to check the charge levels of the AirPods and Beats as well as supports the Apple W1 and H1 chips. It also opens automatically as soon as the headset is connected to the mobile phone. There is also the possibility of showing a small popup to show the current status of your AirPods / Beats.

Moreover, by the developers it is specified that “the only known way to customize AirPods and change the double-tap functionality is by connecting with an iPhone or Macbook. Then you can use the modified double tap functionality with Android. ” Finally, it was also specified that “the battery status is displayed with an interval size of 10% (Full | 95% | 85% …), because devices only send the battery status with this accuracy”.

Assistant Trigger

Assistant Trigger is a great app for Android users who will decide to use AirPods. Available for free download, but for a fee to unlock some features (€ 2.19)allows not only to view the charge levels of the AirPods and the case, but also to activate Google Assistant with a double tap on one of the two earphones.

Furthermore, the earphone detection function is activated as well as the ability to pause and resume the audio you are listening to. Incidentally, when you wear the AirPods, a voice in the headphones will alert you about incoming calls.

In short, this is a pretty useful app and that offers features that you will otherwise have to do without, despite the AirPods being among the most complete true wireless headphones around.