How to Connect Apple AirPods to Android Phone

AirPods can be used with Android phones, but the experience will be not be full-fledged like with an iPhone.

Advertisement
By Jagmeet Singh | Updated: 27 June 2021 16:21 IST
Highlights
  • Apple AirPods carry the option to be connected to an Android phone
  • You need to pair AirPods with your Android device for the connection
  • AirPods don’t offer enhanced gesture support on Android phones

AirPods deliver a wireless audio experience that isn’t essentially limited to Apple users

Photo Credit: Pexels/ ready made

Apple AirPods can be connected to Android phones. And even though Apple has designed the AirPods (and AirPods Pro) — just like all its products — to remain an integral part of its ecosystem, Android users have the option to connect the company's true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds with their phones. This is unlike the complete incompatibility that keeps Apple Watch from being used with Android devices. The ability to connect Apple AirPods with an Android phone also means that you don't need to give up your existing handset for experiencing arguably the world's most popular wireless earbuds — market stats from third-party research firms are a testament to its popularity.

AirPods are one of the few Apple devices that you can use without ditching your Android phone. Here's how you can connect them with your Android device.

How to connect Apple AirPods to Android phone

Before getting started with the steps you can follow to connect Apple AirPods to your Android phone, it is important to mention that you will get a limited experience. You will not be able to view the battery status of the AirPods and its charging case by default from your Android phone. You will also not receive the extensive gesture support that Apple has provided for iOS users. Having said that, you can follow the steps below to start listening to music on the AirPods from your Android phone.

Advertisement
  1. Enable Bluetooth on your Android phone by going into Settings.
  2. Open the lid of the AirPods case and then press and hold the white button on its back until you see the status light flash white.
  3. Now, go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth on your Android phone. You'll see the AirPods appearing on the list of available devices. Since the Android ecosystem has heterogeneity, the Bluetooth settings might be available under Settings > Connected Devices or directly under the Settings menu — depending on which device you're using and with which operating system/ custom skin is on top of it.
  4. Tap on the name of the AirPods you're connecting with your phone to pair the two devices.

Once connected using the above steps, you can use the AirPods with your Android device just like you would use other TWS earbuds or Bluetooth headphones. This means that you will not be required to follow the same procedure each time you want to listen to music through the AirPods. Henceforth, you'll see the AirPods in the list of paired devices on your phone.

Advertisement

The same steps also work to connect AirPods Pro to an Android device, which offer an upgraded experience over the vanilla AirPods model.


We dive into all things WWDC — iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS Monterey, watchOS 8 and more — this week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. iPhone 17 Price: US vs UAE vs India - Where Is It Cheapest to Buy?
  2. Pixel 9 for Under Rs. 36,000? Flipkart's Big Billion Days Deal Revealed
  3. Apple Launches iPhone 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max With These Massive Upgrades
  4. Apple Discontinues These iPhone Models After iPhone 17 Launch
  5. Is the iPhone 16 Still Worth Buying After the iPhone 17 Launch?
  6. Apple Watch Series 11, Ultra 3, SE Launched With These Health Features
  7. Nothing OS 4.0 With Android 16 Will Roll Out to Eligible Phones Soon
  8. iPhone 17 Series Pre-Orders in India: Check Prices, EMI Options, and Offers
  9. All the Key Differences Between iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro
  10. iPhone 16, 16 Plus Price in India Slashed: Check New Prices
  1. Scientists Say Missions to Interstellar Comets Like 3I/ATLAS Are Feasible With Existing Tech
  2. InSight Mission Uncovers Chaotic Structure Locked Inside Mars’ Interior
  3. Anushka Shetty’s Ghaati OTT Release: When, Where to Watch the Film After its Theatrical Run
  4. Newly Discovered Comet Lemmon Could Soon Be Visible With Binoculars
  5. Spotify Finally Rolls Out Lossless Audio for Premium Users in Select Regions
  6. Thammudu OTT Release: Nithiin’s Action Drama Set to Stream on in Hindi on JioHotstar Soon
  7. Microsoft Announces Xbox Tokyo Game Show Broadcast: What to Expect
  8. Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle OTT Release Date Is Out: All You Need to Know About This Candid Talk Show
  9. TARS: Sunlight-Powered Space Slingshot Could Propel Tiny Probes to the Stars
  10. Oppo Find X9, Find X9 Pro Teased; Battery Details Confirmed Ahead of Launch in China
Gadgets 360 is available in
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2025. All rights reserved.