Since Apple manufactures the AirPods Pro, many people believe that these wireless Bluetooth headphones do not work with Android devices. However, this is far from true. Android users can use AirPods Pro and take their listening experience to a new level.
If you want to learn how to use AirPods Pro with an Android device, you’ve come to the right place. This article explains how to pair your AirPods Pro with your Android device and shows you how to control them.
Using AirPods Pro with an Android device
If you have an Android device, you’ll be happy to know that you can connect and use your AirPods Pro with it.
How to Pair AirPods Pro with Android Device
Before you can use your AirPods Pro to listen to music, podcasts, TV shows, movies, and other content, you must first pair them. Since Android devices do not belong to the Apple ecosystem, you cannot pair your AirPods Pro with just one click. Luckily, pairing your buds isn’t complicated.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Enter your Android device and go to settings.
- Open “Connections” and tap “Bluetooth”. Note: These settings may vary depending on your Android device. You may see “Bluetooth” as soon as you open Settings, or you may need to tap “Network” or “Wireless & Networks” first, then find “Bluetooth”.
- Turn on your Bluetooth and make sure your device is discoverable.
- Grab your AirPods Pro charging case and open it. Press and hold the button on the back and wait for the light to start flashing white, which means the headphones are ready to pair.
- AirPods Pro should now appear under “Available Devices” on your Android device. Tap on their name and confirm the process by selecting “Pair” in the dialog box. You will also be asked to confirm whether you allow AirPods Pro to access your contacts and call history.
Keep in mind that you only need to perform these steps once. Once AirPods Pro are paired with your Android device, they will connect automatically as soon as you take them out of their charging case.
How to control AirPods Pro with an Android device
Here’s how to use your AirPods Pro and Android device to control and enhance your listening experience.
Control music playback
If you want to control music playback, use the force sensor. This sensor is located on the stem of each bud and reacts with different gestures. Tap the sensor once to pause or play your song, podcast, etc. Tapping the sensor twice will skip to the next song, and tapping three times will skip to the previous song.
Keep in mind that you can use the force sensor on either button to control music playback. Also, there is no way to customize these settings.
Switch between active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode
AirPods Pro let you choose between two modes: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency. ANC mode blocks outside noise, while Transparency mode lets outside sound in, letting you hear what’s going on around you.
You can easily switch between these two modes thanks to the force sensors. All you have to do is press and hold one of the force sensors, and you’ll hear a sound when the switch hits.
Control Volume
iOS users can control the volume level of their AirPods Pro by calling Siri (Apple’s virtual assistant). Since Android devices do not have Siri, it is not possible to adjust the volume level using headphones. Of course, you can still control it with the volume keys on your Android device.
Check the battery level
When you use AirPods Pro with an iOS device like iPhone or iPad, you can see the battery level through the battery widget. Moreover, you can also ask Siri for the battery level of each bud. Unfortunately, when you pair AirPods Pro with an Android device, you can’t see how much battery you have left.
If you want to check the battery level, you will need to install a third-party app like CAPod. The application allows you to view the battery level, get information about the connection, microphones, case, etc. Many Android users found that their AirPods Pro did not automatically connect to their device. Therefore, they had to do it manually every time they wanted to use the heads. This app can also help you.
What features do you lose when using AirPods Pro with an Android device?
As mentioned, AirPods Pro are designed by Apple and intended for Apple products. While you can pair them with Android devices, you should be aware that you won’t be able to use some of the features available to Apple users. Here’s what you’ll miss when you pair AirPods pro with an Android device.
Automatic ear detection
AirPods Pro have an automatic ear detection feature, which recognizes when you place the earbuds in your ear. With this feature, AirPods Pro will pause and resume playback when you remove one of the earbuds from your ear and stop playback if you remove both.
If this option is enabled and you are not wearing AirPods Pro, audio will automatically play through your speaker. When the option is off, sound will always play through the headphones, even when you’re not wearing them.
This option is only available on Apple devices. When you pair AirPods Pro with an Android device, you won’t be able to use automatic ear detection. However, this should not be a disadvantage. Many people agree that this feature only disrupts their listening experience, as it interrupts playback whenever they want to tune their headphones.
Spatial audio
Another feature that isn’t available when you pair AirPods Pro with an Android device is Spatial Audio. This option allows the headphones to follow your head movements and adjust the audio playback so you can enjoy a 360 degree cinematic experience. For example, let’s say you’re watching a movie on your iPhone or iPad and someone walks along the left side of the screen. If spatial audio is enabled, you can turn your head to the left and footsteps will sound as if they were in front of you.
This feature may improve your experience, but it is certainly not essential.
Optimized AirPods Pro control
If you pair AirPods Pro with an Apple device, you can open Settings and change the default controls to suit your preferences. For example, you can choose what it means to touch and hold the force sensor, what the headphones do when you tap the sensor once, twice, and more.
Changing these controls is not possible when using AirPods Pro with an Android device.
find my
Since the AirPods Pro are wireless, they’re pretty easy to lose. Like other Apple devices, these headphones connect to the company’s Find My network, allowing users to track their location. Apple users can even enable notifications that appear when the headphones are too far from their phone.
Unfortunately, this valuable option is not available for Android users.
How long does the AirPods Pro battery last?
The answer depends on the AirPods Pro model you have.
According to the manufacturer, the first generation AirPods Pro can give you up to 4.5 hours of listening time on a single charge if you have Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency enabled. If you turn these modes off, you can get up to five hours of listening time. As for talk time, you’ll get around 3.5 hours on a single charge.
When you charge the earbuds in the wireless charging case, you’ll get about 24 hours of listening time and about 18 hours of talk time.
If you have the second generation of AirPods Pro, you’ll get improved battery life. These earbuds provide up to six hours of listening time on a single charge when Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency is turned on.
You can still charge your AirPods Pro in their wireless charging case, which will give you up to 30 hours of listening time and around 24 hours of talk time.
Charging AirPods Pro for five minutes gives you an hour of talking or listening, regardless of your generation.
FAQs
Can you use Google Assistant with AirPods Pro on an Android device?
When connected to an Apple device, AirPods Pro can be used to trigger Siri. But Siri is not available on Android devices, so many people wonder if it is possible to use Google Assistant with AirPods Pro.
Since there is no official companion app to use AirPods Pro on Android devices, you might think AirPods Pro does not allow access to Google Assistant. However, there is a workaround that can trigger Google Assistant or other voice assistants: a third-party app called Assistant Trigger. You can download this app from play store. Once you set it up, you can trigger a voice assistant by squeezing the buds.
This app can also be used to check battery levels.
Do all AirPods Pro come with a wireless charging case?
Yes. Since there is no other way to charge them, you cannot buy AirPods Pro without a wireless charging case.
Are AirPods Pro waterproof?
AirPods Pro are water and sweat resistant, but they are not waterproof. This means you should work well with them or wear them when it rains, but you shouldn’t rinse them under the sink or expose them to a lot of water.
You are bound to enjoy the sound
Just because Apple makes AirPods Pro doesn’t mean you can’t use them with your Android device. The AirPods Pro offer exceptional sound quality and many practical features that make them one of the best wireless headphones on the market. While it’s true that you won’t be able to enjoy all the features offered by these headphones, you can still have an amazing listening experience.
Have you ever used AirPods? Do you like the sound quality they provide? Tell us in the comments section below.
