How to connect your AirPods to an Android smartphone

When you brought your first iPhone, chances are, you almost certainly brought a pair of AirPods with it. Or maybe shortly after. However, should you now have made the switch to Android, or maybe use an Android smartphone as a secondary device, you may have been told AirPods are Apple-exclusive devices, and aren’t compatible with devices running on any other operating system. And hence, you’ll need to invest in yet another pair of TWS earbuds.

Well, we’re here to tell you that’s not true, and you can connect your Apple AirPods to your Android phones and use them as well. And if you’re wondering how to go about it, read on.

How to connect AirPods to an Android device

1. On your Android smartphone, swipe down from the top of the screen.

2. Touch and hold ‘Bluetooth.’

3. On the subsequent page, turn the Bluetooth toggle on.

4. Next, open the lid of your AirPods’ charging case. Don’t pull out the earbuds just yet.

5. On the case, tap and hold the button on the back, until the light on the case flashes in white.

6. Your AirPods should show up under the ‘Available devices’ section.

7. Simply tap on them, and follow the on-screen instructions to connect them.

8. Once paired, the light on the case of the AirPods should turn solid white.

And that’s it! You’re all set to listen to your favourite songs, watch your favourite OTT content, or game with your friends using your AirPods on your Android device!

Connecting AirPods to Android devices: What you need to remember

While AirPods aren’t Apple-exclusive devices (And will connect to pretty much any and all Bluetooth-enabled devices), there are a few caveats to keep in mind while using them with non-Apple devices all the same.

ALSO READ: AirPods refusing to connect? Here are a few quick fixes to try out

While using your AirPods with an Android device, you will lose out on features such as Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ, the ear tip fit test, and even basic features such as the battery life status indicator. Not to mention of course, you will not be able to summon Siri, Apple’s virtual AI assistant.

Having said that, you needn’t necessarily (immediately) invest in a pair of separate TWS earbuds for your Android device, should you be okay with skipping on a few features. But if these misses make you want to get a new pair of earbuds without spending much, you can check out our list of the best ANC earbuds you can get under Rs 5,000.