Many users wonder whether premium headphones from Apple can be used on devices with the operating system Android. The answer is clear: yes, it is quite possible. Despite the fact that they were developed specifically for the ecosystem, they work using a standard protocol. This means that basic functionality, such as music playback and phone calls, will work on any modern smartphone. AirPods were developed specifically for the ecosystem Apple, they work according to a standard protocol Bluetooth. This means that basic functionality such as music playback and phone calls will work on any modern smartphone.
However, the setup process and available options will differ from those provided to owners iPhone. You don't have to buy additional equipment to unlock the full potential You need to install a third-party application. In this article, we will analyze in detail every step of connecting, setting up and optimizing the operation of the first generation headphones with your Android smartphone.
Preparing the headphones for pairing
Before starting the process, make sure that yours AirPods are charged. Place both earbuds in the charging case and close the lid. Wait a few seconds and then open the lid without removing the headphones themselves. The status indicator on the front of the case should light up white, indicating it is ready for use. If the indicator is orange, charge the case.
You must activate the wireless module on your smartphone. Go to the settings menu and find the section Connections or Bluetooth. Turn the switch to the On position. Make sure your phone is visible to other devices, although modern versions do this automatically when you open the settings menu. Android do this automatically when you open the settings menu.
Make sure there are no other Apple devices nearby that your headphones were previously paired with. They may try to intercept the connection automatically, which will prevent connection to Android.
Now take the case with the lid open and bring it as close as possible to the smartphone. There is a small round setting button on the back of the case. Press and hold it until the indicator starts flashing white. This puts the headphones into pairing mode.
The connection process through the Bluetooth settings
After activating the pairing mode on your smartphone, the name AirPodsshould appear in the list of available devices. It usually appears as “AirPods” or “AirPods Ivanov” if the headphones were previously customized for a specific user. The search process may take from a few seconds to a minute.
Click on the device name in the list. The system Android will request confirmation for pairing. Click the button Connect or OK. After successful connection, you will hear a characteristic sound signal in the headphones, confirming the completion of the procedure.
- 🎧 Open the lid of the case with the headphones inside.
- 📱 Turn on Bluetooth in the phone settings.
- 🔘 Press button on the back of the case until white flashes.
- ✅ Select the device in the list and confirm the connection.
☑️ Checking successful connection
It is worth noting that without additional software you will not be able to see the exact charge level of each earphone and case in the standard interface. Android displays only the general connection status. To obtain detailed information about the battery, you will need to install specialized software, which we will talk about later.
Using third-party applications to expand functions
To get an experience close to native use with iPhone, you need to install the application from Google Play. The most popular and functional solution is the utility MaterialPods or Capod. These apps emulate the connection pop-up that appears on Apple devices.
After installing the app, grant it the necessary location and Bluetooth permissions. This is required so that the app can scan the air and read battery charge data directly from the headphones. The interface of such applications is usually minimalistic and displays the percentage of charge of the left, right earphone and case.
Why do you need geolocation permissions?
In the Android operating system, access to scanning Bluetooth devices is technically tied to permission to use geolocation. This is a system security limitation, and not a whim of application developers.
Some advanced utilities also allow you to change double-tap settings. Although AirPods 1 have limited gesture functionality compared to new models, you can reassign actions through the app. For example, set up a call to a voice assistant Google Assistant instead of Siriwhich simply does not work on Android.
| Function | Without application | With application (MaterialPods) |
|---|---|---|
| Charge display | Battery icon only | Percentages for each device |
| Pop-up window | Absent | Yes when opening the case |
| Search for headphones | Not available | Map and sound |
| Touch settings | Standard | Extended |
Third-party applications do not change the hardware capabilities of the headphones, but significantly improve the user experience and control over the device.
Configuring audio codecs and sound quality
Sound quality directly depends on the codec used. By default AirPods they use a codec AACthat provides good quality when transmitted over a wireless channel. In the developer settings on your smartphone, you can check and force the selection of this codec. To access these settings, you must activate developer mode. Go to Android On your smartphone, you can check and force select this codec.
To access these settings, you must activate developer mode. Go to Settings → About phone and quickly click on the build number seven times. After this, a new section will appear in the main menu For developers. Find the item there Bluetooth audio codec and make sure that it is selected AAC.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to force enable codecs aptX or LDACif they are not supported by the headphones in hardware. This will not improve the sound, but may lead to desynchronization of audio and video or a complete absence of sound.
There is also an “Absolute volume level” setting in the developers menu. Experiment with this setting. Sometimes turning it off allows you to unlock full volume on your smartphone if you notice that the sound in your headphones is quieter than it should be. This is a common problem when connecting cross-platform.
Solving common connection problems
Sometimes users encounter a situation where the headphones are visible in the list, but do not connect, or the connection is constantly interrupted. First of all, try performing a hard reset of your headphones. Place them in the case, close the lid and wait 30 seconds.
Open the lid and press the setting button on the back panel. Hold it down for about 15 seconds until the indicator flashes amber and then white. This will return AirPods to factory settings. After this, remove the device from the list of paired ones in the phone settings and repeat the connection procedure again.
- 🔄 Remove the device from the Bluetooth list in the settings.
- 🔋 Place the headphones in the case and close the lid for 30 seconds.
- ⚙️ Reset the settings with the button on the case until it flashes amber.
- 📲 Pair as with a new device.
If the problem persists, check the operating system version of your smartphone. Outdated versions Android may have bugs in the Bluetooth stack. Also make sure that there are no powerful sources of interference nearby, such as microwave ovens or routers operating in the overloaded 2.4 GHz range.
Features of the microphone and calls
Microphones in AirPods 1 work well enough for telephone conversations even on Android. The system automatically selects the microphone of the earphone that is in the ear, or uses both for noise cancellation. However, voice processing algorithms are optimized for the chip Apple W1, so noise reduction may work less effectively on third-party devices.
When making calls through instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), the quality of communication may differ from regular voice calls. This is due to the nature of data transfer in applications. If the other person complains about a low voice, check in the Bluetooth settings that your headphones are selected for the “Incoming Call” and “Outgoing Call” profiles.
⚠️ Attention: The Siri announces calls feature will not work on Android. You will have to look at the phone screen to find out who is calling, unless a third-party application with similar functionality is installed.
Touch controls on the headphones themselves do not adjust the volume of media or call in the Android environment, it only works to control playback and accept calls.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will there be work Siri on Android with AirPods?
No, the voice assistant Siri is exclusive to Apple devices and is not activated on Android. However, you can set up a double tap on the headphones through third-party applications to call Google Assistant or any other available assistant.
Is it possible to update the AirPods firmware via Android?
Unfortunately, no. The headphone firmware is updated automatically only when connected to the device iPhone or iPad. On Android, it is impossible to check the firmware version or initiate an update.
Why is the sound in the headphones monophonic?
Check the accessibility settings on your smartphone. Sometimes the "Mono Audio" function is accidentally activated there, which mixes stereo channels. Disable it in the section Settings → Accessibility → Hearing enhancement.
Does automatic detection of being in the ear work?
The proximity sensors in AirPods 1 work in hardware, so the music will be paused when you remove the earphone from your ear, even on Android. However, the accuracy of this feature may be slightly lower than when used with an iPhone.
How long do AirPods 1 on Android hold a charge?
Battery life does not depend on the phone’s operating system. The first generation headphones provide up to 5 hours of listening on a single charge, and the case provides several more full charges. Actual time depends on the volume and type of content.