How to Connect AirPods to an Android Phone

There are perfect pairings in this world. Peanut butter and jelly. Charli XCX and Lorde. AirPods and Androids. No, really, hear us out.

If you’ve been eyeing Apple’s wireless earbuds, but don’t want to give up your Android device, we’ve got good news. AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max are not iOS-exclusive devices. They can pair with practically any Bluetooth-enabled device.

To be fair, there are some downsides. By skipping the iPhone and pairing your pods with an Android phone, you won’t get all the included features that you would normally have access to. For example, the battery indicator for the AirPods won’t display on your phone, and Siri won’t be available to answer any of your requests.

However, you can download the MaterialPods app to display battery life on your Android device and launch the Google Assistant after double-tapping an earbud. So there are workarounds—they’re just not quite as seamless as the Apple-only experience.

If this still sounds like a good idea to you, here’s what to do:

On your Android device, make sure Bluetooth is on and go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth. Tap Pair New Device. For AirPods and AirPods Pro, make sure the AirPods are in the charging case, open the lid, and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about five seconds or until you see the status light flashing white. On your Android device, tap AirPods or AirPods Pro and follow any directions that appear onscreen.

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For AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button for about five seconds or until you see the status light flashing white and AirPods Max shows up under Available Devices. If it does not, select More and then hit Refresh. On your Android device, tap AirPods Max and follow any directions that appear onscreen.

If you don’t find your AirPods, check under “Available devices” or tap More and then Refresh.

How To Connect AirPods to an Android Device

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About Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme.

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light.

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