Despite Apple’s frosty relationship with other manufacturers (the Apple Watch only works with iOS), AirPods can work with Android and any other Bluetooth-enabled device – but you won’t get access to smart features that help make AirPods some of the best wireless earbuds on the market.
If that doesn’t bother you, then carry on reading; here we talk you through setting up AirPods with an Android smartphone or tablet. It’s worth noting that this process is the same with any non-iOS device, so feel free to follow the below steps to connect AirPods to smartwatches, PCs and any other Bluetooth-enabled device.
We’ve got instructions on connecting AirPods to your Mac seperately, if that’s what you’re after.
How to connect AirPods to Android
As with most Apple products, the AirPods are easy to use – and that extends to the connection process, even with Android devices. While it’s not quite as streamlined as pairing AirPods with an iPhone, you can pair AirPods with your Android smartphone or tablet in a couple of steps:
Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Android smartphone or tabletFlip open the lid of the AirPodsPress and hold the button on the rear of the AirPods case until the LED between the AirPods blinks whiteSearch for AirPods on your device’s Bluetooth menu and tap to connect
And that’s it! Your AirPods should now work with your Android device, although with a couple of caveats; you won’t be able to activate your virtual assistant with a double-tap, and the automatic pause and resume feature isn’t available either. Apart from that, you can enjoy listening to your favourite songs with AirPods on Android!
Lewis Painter is a Senior Staff Writer at Tech Advisor. Our resident Apple expert, Lewis covers everything from iPhone to AirPods, plus a range of smartphones, tablets, laptops and gaming hardware. You’ll also find him on the Tech Advisor YouTube channel.
