How To Use the AirPods Pro With an Android Device

Since Apple manufactures AirPods Pro, many people believe these wireless Bluetooth buds don’t 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’re interested in learning how to use AirPods Pro with an Android device, you’ve come to the right place. This article will discuss how to pair your AirPods Pro with your Android device and show you how to control them.

Using the 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 an Android Device

Before using your AirPods Pro for listening to music, podcasts, TV shows, movies, and other content, you first need to pair them. Since Android devices don’t belong to the Apple ecosystem, you can’t pair your AirPods Pro with only one tap. Fortunately, pairing your buds isn’t complicated.

Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Grab your Android device and go to Settings.
   
2. Open “Connections” and tap “Bluetooth.” Note: These settings may vary depending on your Android device. You may see “Bluetooth” as soon as you open the settings, or you may have to press “Network” or “Wireless & Network” first and then find “Bluetooth.”
   
3. Turn on your Bluetooth and ensure your device is discoverable.
   
4. Grab the charging case of your AirPods Pro and open it. Press and hold the button on the back and wait until the indicator starts flashing white, meaning the buds are ready to pair.
   
5. AirPods Pro should now appear under “Available devices” on your Android device. Tap their name and confirm the process by selecting “Pair” in the dialogue box. You’ll also be asked to confirm if you allow AirPods Pro to access your contacts and call history.
   

Keep in mind that you only need to complete these steps once. After AirPods Pro have been paired with your Android device, they’ll 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 your 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. Press the sensor once to switch to pause or play your song, podcast, etc. If you press the sensor twice, you’ll switch to the next song, and if you press it three times, you’ll go back to the previous song.

Keep in mind that you can use the force sensor on either of the two buds to control music playback. Also, there’s no way to customize these settings.

Switch Between Active Noise Cancelation (ANC) and Transparency Mode

AirPods Pro allow you to choose between two modes: Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency. The ANC mode blocks the outside noise, while the Transparency mode lets the outside sound in, allowing you to hear what’s going on around you.

You can easily switch between these two modes thanks to force sensors. All you need to do is press and hold one of the force sensors, and you’ll hear a sound when the switch happens.

Control Volume

iOS users can control the volume level of their AirPods Pro by calling Siri (Apple’s virtual assistant). Since Android devices don’t have Siri, it’s impossible to adjust the volume level using the earbuds. Of course, you can always 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. Plus, you can also ask Siri about 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’ll need to install a third-party app like CAPod. The app lets you view the battery level, get information regarding the connection, microphones, case, etc. Many Android users found that their AirPods Pro didn’t connect automatically to their device. Consequently, they needed to do this manually every time they wanted to use the buds. This app can help with that as well.

What Features Do You Lose When You Use 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 on 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 buds in your ear. Thanks to this feature, AirPods Pro will pause and resume playback when you remove one of the buds from your ear and stop the playback if you remove both.

If this option is enabled and you’re not wearing AirPods Pro, the sound will automatically play on your speaker. When the option is disabled, the sound will always be played through the buds, even when you’re not wearing them.

This option is available only on Apple devices. When you pair AirPods Pro with an Android device, you won’t be able to use automatic ear detection. However, this doesn’t have to be a drawback. Many people agree this feature only disrupts their listening experience because it pauses the playback every time they want to adjust their buds.

Spatial Audio

Another feature that isn’t available when you pair AirPods Pro with an Android device is spatial audio. This option allows the buds to track your head movement and adjust the audio playback so that you can enjoy a 360-degree, movie-theater-like experience. For example, let’s say you’re watching a movie on your iPhone or iPad, and someone is walking along the left side of the screen. If spatial audio is turned on, you can turn your head to the left, and the footsteps will sound as if they were in front of you.

This feature may enhance your experience, but it definitely isn’t essential.

AirPods Pro Control Optimization

If you pair AirPods Pro with an Apple device, you can open Settings and change the default controls according to your preferences. For example, you can choose what touching and holding the force sensor means, what the buds do when you press the sensor once, twice, etc.

Changing these controls isn’t possible when you use AirPods Pro with an Android device.

Find My

Since AirPods Pro are wireless, they’re quite easy to lose. Like other Apple devices, these buds connect to the company’s Find My network, letting users keep track of their location. Apple users can even enable notifications that pop up when the buds are too far from their phone.

Unfortunately, this valuable option isn’t available for Android users.

How Long Does the Battery Last on AirPods Pro?

The answer depends on which AirPods Pro model you have.

According to the manufacturer, the first generation of AirPods Pro can give you up to 4.5 hours of listening time with a single charge if you have Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency turned on. If you disable these modes, you can get up to five hours of listening time. When it comes to talk time, you’ll have about 3.5 hours with a single charge.

When recharging the buds in the wireless charging case, you’ll get around 24 hours of listening time and approximately 18 hours of talk time.

If you have the second generation of AirPods Pro, you’ll enjoy enhanced battery life. These buds offer up to six hours of listening time with a single charge when Active Noise Cancellation or Transparency is enabled.

You can always recharge your AirPods Pro in their wireless charging case, and this will get you up to 30 hours of listening time and around 24 hours of talk time.

Charging AirPods Pro for five minutes gives you one hour of talk or listening time, regardless of which generation you have.

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 isn’t available on Android devices, so many people wonder if it’s possible to use Google Assistant with AirPods Pro.

Since there’s no official companion app for using AirPods Pro on Android devices, you may think AirPods Pro don’t allow access to Google Assistant. However, there’s a workaround that can trigger Google Assistant or other voice assistants: a third-party app called Assistant Trigger. You can download this app from the Play Store. Once you set it up, you can trigger a voice assistant by squeezing the buds.

This app can also be used for checking battery levels.

Do all AirPods Pro come with a wireless charging case?

Yes. Since there’s no other way to charge them, you can’t purchase AirPods Pro without a wireless charging case.

Are AirPods Pro waterproof?

AirPods Pro are water- and sweat-resistant, but they aren’t waterproof. This means you should be fine working out with them or wearing them while it’s raining, but you shouldn’t rinse them under the sink or expose them to a lot of water.

You’re Bound to Enjoy the Sound

Just because Apple manufactures AirPods Pro doesn’t mean you can’t use them with your Android device. AirPods Pro offer exceptional sound quality and plenty of convenient features that make them one of the best wireless buds on the market. While it’s true you won’t be able to enjoy all features these buds offer, you can still have an amazing listening experience.

Have you used AirPods before? Do you like the sound quality they provide? Tell us in the comments section below.