Do AirPods work with Android phones?

Ever wondered if AirPods will work with your Samsung phone – or any other Android device for that matter? Apple’s wireless earphones are everywhere, but is everyone you see wearing them listening to Apple Music on their iPhone? Not necessarily…

Do AirPods work with Android phones?

That depends on your definition of “work”. In the most basic sense, you’ll be able to pair them with your phone and hear sound through them, which I guess is the main thing.

How to pair AirPods with an Android phone:

1. With Bluetooth enabled on your Android phone, open the AirPods case.
2. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white. It’s now ready to pair.
3. Now you need to pair the AirPods with Android. This varies a little phone by phone, but in general you can get there by swiping down at the top of the screen and holding down on the Bluetooth icon.
4. Tap “pair new device” and look for AirPods in the list. Voila!

But – and it’s a big but – not all features will work. Obviously you can’t expect to chat to Siri when this is Google Assistant’s house, but other things are harder to explain. Audio won’t automatically pause when you take an AirPod out your ear, and the only physical control will be playing/pausing media with a tap of the earbud.

So… maybe get something else instead?

With these limitations in mind, I would really recommend against getting AirPods if you’re in the Android family. Not least because there are very similar products that are both cheaper and boast superior sound quality, without having to worry about missing features.

The £169 Sony WF-1000XM3 true wireless earbuds are widely regarded as the gold standard on true wireless at the moment, and come with noise cancellation along with that excellent sound quality. If that’s a bit rich for your blood, then the unfortunately named Tronsmart Spunky Beat will set you back just £31 and offers decent sound and performance. Bargain.

And for a third and final option, click the link below…

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