Though designed for the iPhone, Apple's AirPods are also compatible with Android smartphones and tablets, so you can take advantage of Apple's wire-free tech even if you're an Android user or have both Android and Apple devices. AirPod Features That Don't Work on Android (Out of the Box)When paired with an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac, the AirPods offer a rich set of features thanks to the W1 wireless chip in the first generation version or the H1 chip in the AirPods 2 or AirPods 3, the accelerometer and other sensors, and deep integration with Apple's devices. Here's a list of AirPods features you lose out on when using the AirPods with Android:
AirPod Features That Work on AndroidOut of the box, AirPods functionality on Android is quite limited, but the double tap or press feature works. When you double tap on one of the AirPods (or press on the Force Sensor on the stem with AirPods 3), it will play or pause the music. If you've customized your AirPods using an iOS device, next track and previous track gestures will also work, but Siri won't, nor will "Hey Siri" on AirPods 2 or AirPods 3 as that requires an Apple device. One additional benefit to AirPods on Android -- Bluetooth connectivity distance. AirPods generally have a much longer Bluetooth range than other Bluetooth-enabled headphones, and this is true on both Android and iOS. AirPods lose the rest of their unique functionality on Android, but there are a few Android apps that are designed to restore some of it, adding to what you can do with AirPods on Android. How to Add Back Lost AirPod FunctionalityAirBattery - AirBattery adds a feature that lets you see the charge level of your AirPods. It includes battery levels for the left AirPod, right AirPod, and charging case, much like the battery interface on iOS devices. It also has an experimental ear detection feature when used with Spotify, which can pause music when you remove an AirPod. AssistantTrigger - AssistantTrigger also lets you see the battery level of your AirPods, and it also says it adds ear detection features. Most notably, it can be used to change the tap gestures, letting you set up Google Assistant to be triggered with a double tap. How to Pair AirPods to an Android SmartphoneAirPods pair to an Android smartphone like any other Bluetooth device, but you there are some specific steps to follow.
After tapping "Pair," the AirPods should successfully connect to your Android device. Do AirPods Work on Android?Even if you use Android devices exclusively, the AirPods are a great wire-free earbud option that outperform many other Bluetooth earbuds available for Android devices. If you have both Android and iOS devices, AirPods are a no brainer because you'll be able to use them on both devices with few tradeoffs if you download the appropriate Android apps. Even without many of the bells and whistles available on iOS devices, AirPods have some attractive features that may appeal to Android users, though there are wire-free Android specific options that Android users might want to look at. Many AirPods users find them to be quite comfortable and stable in the ears, with little risk of them falling out, and the battery life is absolutely appealing. Apple in 2021 introduced the AirPods 3, which have a more refined fit that's even more comfortable in the ears. AirPods have a charging case that provides 24 hours of battery life in a portable, compact form factor. The case is also easy to charge, so long as you have a Lightning cable. There's one major reason that you might want to avoid AirPods on Android, and that's audio quality. Apple's AAC codec does not perform as well on Android as it does on the iPhone, so there may be degraded streaming on Android because of the way Android handles Bluetooth codecs. Popular StoriesApple Preparing iOS 16.1.1 as Widespread Wi-Fi Bug PersistsMonday November 7, 2022 8:55 am PST by Sami Fathi Apple is preparing an iOS 16.1.1 update for the iPhone to address bugs and issues experienced by users following the first major update to the iOS 16 operating system two weeks ago, including a persistent Wi-Fi bug that's been annoying iPhone customers. 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Open Settings, then go to Bluetooth. In the top right corner of your Android's screen, you should see a switch. Toggle this switch off and back on to give your cell phone a chance to refresh its Bluetooth capabilities. Once Bluetooth's back on, try reconnecting to your AirPods.
Does AirPods work well with Android?Yes, they do. Like other wireless headphones, every iteration of AirPods – the AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max – connects to a source device using Bluetooth, so they'll connect to any smartphone, tablet, computer or portable music player that's Bluetooth-enabled – which these days is most of them.
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