Many people assume that Apple AirPods only work with iPhones, iPads, and Macs, but that’s not entirely true.
While these wireless earbuds are designed for seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, they can still connect to Android phones and tablets just like any other Bluetooth headphones.
However, some features such as quick pairing, active noise cancellation (ANC), and spatial audio may not function as smoothly as they do on Apple products.
From my experience, using AirPods with an Android device requires a few workarounds to get the best sound quality.
While you can still pair them easily, you might miss out on Apple-exclusive perks like Siri support.
That said, if you’re looking for a reliable pair of earbuds with good audio performance, AirPods can still be a solid choice, even without the full Apple-only features.
Airpods Work with Android – The Short Answer
AirPods Features that WILL Work on Android
While AirPods don’t fully integrate with the Apple ecosystem on Android devices, some features still work properly. The double-tap feature lets you control playback, and Active Noise Cancellation helps block out distractions.
One major benefit of using AirPods on Android smartphones and tablets is their longer Bluetooth range, which outperforms many other Bluetooth-enabled headphones.
1. Double-Tap for Pause or Play
Even with limited functionality, AirPods on Android still support the double-tap feature. Simply tap an earbud to play or stop music without touching your smartphone. This convenient command makes controlling audio effortless.
2. Solid Connectivity and a Good Range
When you pair AirPods with your Android device, the connection is stable and solid. You’ll experience a reliable link that doesn’t suffer from frequent disconnection issues.
Additionally, the range of up to 33 ft or about 10 meters means you can move around comfortably without losing your connection. Some Android apps also help restore a few native functionalities for a better experience.
3. Automatic Switching
When using AirPods with Android devices, the automatic switching feature isn’t available like it is with Apple products.
However, if you use both Android and Apple devices, like a Pixel Buds Pro or iPhone, you can still enjoy easy switching between your Android tablet and iPhone.
This makes it convenient when you need to take a call while listening to music.
4. Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
With Active Noise Cancellation on the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, you can block out external noise even when using your AirPods with an Android device.
Simply press and hold the force sensor until you hear a chime, and you’ll experience isolation from the surroundings. For a more balanced experience, switch to Transparency Mode by pressing the sensor again, allowing you to hear external sounds while still using your AirPods.
You can easily toggle between both Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode by pressing and holding the force sensor.
If you want to disable both features, just press the sensor once more to go back to normal listening mode. This easy-to-use feature makes the AirPods versatile, even without needing an Apple device.
5. Single AirPod Listening
It’s easy to use a single AirPod with either an iOS device or an Android device. For iOS devices, you just need to go to the ‘Accessibility’ section in ‘Settings’ and change the sound output from stereo to mono audio.
On Android devices, it’s a simple setup, but older AirPods models may face some difficulties if they use older Bluetooth versions.
If that happens, you may need to forget the AirPods, re-pair them, or even remove and replace them in the charging case to get them to function properly.
I’ve tried this with both iOS and Android devices, and while it works well overall, the experience might vary a bit depending on the device model and Bluetooth version.
For a smooth experience, just follow the steps to ensure the AirPods connect as intended.
6. Microphone Functionality
You can use the AirPods microphone for making and receiving phone calls on Android devices, offering great voice clarity during conversations. It’s simple to connect and works seamlessly for calls on Android.
7. Automatic Pause and Resume
Even though automatic ear detection isn’t available on Android devices, you can still pause and resume music playback by simply removing and reinserting your AirPods manually into your ear.
It’s a straightforward way to manage your music even without the automatic feature.
AirPods features that WILL NOT Work on Android
When using AirPods with an Android device, some features like automatic switching, spatial audio, and Hey Siri won’t work.
The Apple devices integration, such as easy pairing and switching, is exclusive to Apple’s ecosystem. These features require compatibility with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac.
1. Siri Integration
With Siri integration, you can easily control your AirPods with simple commands like changing songs or adjusting the volume, but this feature is limited to iPhone users.
Unfortunately, AirPods with Android don’t support Siri, so you can’t use voice commands like Hey Siri to interact with your device.
2. Customizing Double Tap
On an iOS device, you can customize the double-tap gesture to do things like access Siri, Play/Pause, or skip to the Next Track or Previous Track.
This feature is handy, but unfortunately, it’s not available on Android. If you remove an AirPod from your ear, the music will pause, and it will resume once you put it back in.
3. Battery Life Indicator
On Android, you won’t have the built-in battery life indicator that you get on an iPhone or Apple Watch. However, you can use third-party apps to replace this functionality.
These apps allow you to check your AirPods battery life just like on Apple devices, giving you similar access to the battery life indicator from the Control Center and Siri features.
4. Spatial Audio
While Apple’s Spatial Audio feature is not fully available on all Android devices, it’s still possible to use it with the Apple Music app on Android.
If you have AirPods 3, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, you can enjoy a 360-degree spatial audio effect while listening to thousands of tracks on Apple Music.
5. Automatic Pairing
On iOS devices, pairing your AirPods is simple with automatic pairing. Just open the case near the device and it pairs instantly.
However, on Android, you’ll need to pair them manually, which requires a few extra steps. This feature makes it much easier to connect on Apple devices.
6. Automatic Ear Detection
On iOS devices, the automatic ear detection feature automatically pauses playback when you remove the AirPod from your ear and resumes when you put it back. Unfortunately, this functionality doesn’t work on Android devices.
For Android, you need to have both AirPods out of the case to connect them, and playback won’t automatically pause or resume when you remove or put back an AirPod in your ear.
7. Live Listen
Live Listen is a feature that allows your AirPods to act as a hearing aid. On Apple devices like the iPhone or iPad, you can enable it to use the microphone on your device, which helps amplify sounds and send them directly to your AirPods.
Unfortunately, this feature doesn’t work on Android devices because it requires specific integration with the Apple ecosystem.
8. Customizable Controls
On iOS, AirPods offer customizable controls that let you adjust settings like double-tapping or pressing to control playback.
However, when connecting to an Android device, these customizations revert to their default state, and you may lose access to advanced features like active noise cancellation.
AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro come with default playback controls that can’t be customized, but at least the controls are functional on Android.
9. Ear Tip Fit Test
The Ear Tip Fit Test in AirPods Pro helps find the best fit for your ears by checking for audio leaks using microphones.
It ensures a good seal for the best sound experience. Unfortunately, this feature is exclusive to iOS and does not work on Android devices.
10. Conversation Boost
Conversation Boost is a feature in AirPods Pro that helps those with minor hearing impairments hear better during conversations.
Using beamforming microphones and computational audio, it makes the voices of people you’re speaking with easier to hear.
Unfortunately, this feature requires iOS 15 and the latest firmware updates, and it’s exclusive to AirPods Pro, meaning it’s unavailable for Android devices.
11. “Find My” Function
When using AirPods with an iOS device, they are automatically registered on the Find My network, helping in locating misplaced AirPods.
Sadly, this Find My function is exclusive to iOS and unavailable on Android devices.
12. Automatic Firmware Updates
When using AirPods with an iOS device, automatic firmware updates occur easily when connected. This helps improve performance and adds new features without manual intervention.
However, on Android, you may need to manually update the firmware using a computer.
How to Pair your AirPods with an Android Device
To pair your AirPods with an Android device:
- Turn on Bluetooth on your Android device.
- Open the AirPods lid and press the setup button for five seconds.
- Wait for the white flashing light to appear.
- On your Android device, select AirPods from the Bluetooth list.
- For AirPods Max, hold the noise control button until the light flashes.
Can you Use AirPods or AirPods Pro with Android?
Yes, you can use AirPods and AirPods Pro with an Android phone. The Bluetooth feature makes it easy to connect to any device, like your smartwatch or tablet.
However, there are limitations since Apple’s earbuds don’t officially support Android. You won’t be able to check the battery level, use automatic device switching, or trigger Siri on Android.
Despite these drawbacks, you can still enjoy a good experience with a few workarounds.
- AirPods 1
- AirPods 2
- AirPods 3
- AirPods Pro
- AirPods Pro (2nd gen.)
- AirPods Max
Here’s a list of AirPods features that don’t officially work with Android:
- Bluetooth connection
- AirPods models
- Automatic device switching
- Siri support
- Battery level checking
- AirPods Pro
- AirPods Max
- Android device
- No Siri support
- No automatic ear detection
- Spatial audio
AirPods’ Accessibility Features are not Available on Android
When using AirPods with an Android device, you miss out on their accessibility features. You can’t access tools like Conversation Boost, Headphone Accommodations, or Live Listen.
Additionally, customizing the audio output, adjusting the long press duration for gestures, and controlling noise cancelation while using just one AirPod aren’t available.
Features like the automatic readout of incoming notifications are also not supported.
Check the Battery Level of Apple AirPods from your Android Phone
You can’t officially check the battery level of your AirPods on Android, as it’s something Apple offers through its Battery Widget on iPhone.
However, you can use a third-party app to get this info. After granting the app necessary permissions, you’ll see the battery level of each AirPod and the charging case, as well as the connection strength.
If your AirPods don’t automatically connect to your Android phone, you can enable the Auto connect option in the app’s settings.
Additionally, you can set the app to automatically resume music playback when the AirPods connect and stop playback when you remove them from your ears.
There’s also a One pod mode that lets music play even if you only insert one AirPod.
Can you Trigger Google Assistant Using AirPods on Android?
While AirPods don’t support the built-in “Hey Siri” feature on Android, you can still trigger Google Assistant.
Using the Assistant Trigger app, you can activate Google Assistant with a double tap or squeeze on your wireless buds. This works for all AirPods models and the Powerbeats Pro as well.
Superior AirPods Alternatives for Android
If you’re using Android and looking for a better experience than what AirPods offer, there are plenty of wireless earbuds that could suit your needs.
You can find earbuds at different price points, so whether you’re on a budget or looking for high-quality pairs with better sound, there are options for everyone.
Many of these alternatives also have Google Assistant or Alexa support, so you can enjoy a seamless wireless assistant experience.
Instead of struggling with the limited features of AirPods on Android, consider investing in the best wireless earbuds for Android.
These options will work better with your Android phone and offer a more integrated, enjoyable experience without compromising on sound quality or connectivity.
AirPods Work on Android, With Some Caveats
Using AirPods with Android is possible, but it comes with some limitations. While you can enjoy the standard Bluetooth functionality, features like automatic pairing and iOS/macOS integration are missing.
AirPods won’t provide the same seamless experience you get on Apple devices, so you might need third-party apps or workarounds to unlock certain features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do AirPods work badly with Android?
Using AirPods with Android isn’t terrible, but it’s not as smooth as with Apple devices. You may notice some connection issues, especially with certain Android models. However, for basic functions like listening to music, they still work fairly well.
Are AirPods 2 worth it for Android?
AirPods 2 can work with Android, but you miss out on many features like automatic switching and in-ear detection. If you’re mainly using Android, you may want to consider better alternatives for a smoother experience.
Is it OK to connect AirPods to Android?
Yes, you can connect AirPods to an Android phone. However, some features like Siri and automatic device switching won’t work. You can still enjoy listening to music or taking calls using Bluetooth.
Do AirPods work well with Samsung?
Yes, AirPods work well with Samsung phones via Bluetooth. While you won’t get all the iOS-specific features, like Siri integration, you can enjoy great sound quality and connectivity. Samsung users can easily pair their AirPods for seamless listening.
Final Remarks
While AirPods can work with Android devices, the experience may not be as smooth as with Apple products. Basic features like automatic pairing and Siri integration are limited, and you may miss out on the full potential of the device.
However, if you’re looking for wireless earbuds with good sound quality and comfort, they can still be a solid option for Android users. Just keep in mind the limitations when making your choice.
That’s all! You can also check out How to Find Recently Deleted Apps on Android/iPhone 2025 and How to Reset Android Auto: A Step-by-Step Guide
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