How do I adjust AirPods on Android?

AirPods are wireless earbuds created by Apple primarily for use with iOS devices like iPhones and iPads. However, AirPods can also be used with Android smartphones and tablets. This is because AirPods utilize Bluetooth technology to connect wirelessly to devices. As long as an Android device has Bluetooth connectivity, AirPods can pair with it and function for audio playback.

While AirPods work with Android, the experience is not exactly the same as using them with Apple devices. Some convenient AirPods features optimized for iOS will not be available when paired to an Android phone or tablet. But core functionality like listening to music, podcasts, and making calls will work perfectly fine. With some minor limitations, AirPods offer a quality wireless listening option for Android users.

Pairing AirPods with an Android Device

To pair your AirPods with an Android device, the first step is to make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your Android phone or tablet. Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and toggle on Bluetooth. This allows your device to discover and connect with Bluetooth accessories like AirPods.

Next, open the AirPods case and make sure your AirPods are inside. Bring the open case next to your Android device so that it is within range. After a few seconds, you should see a pop-up on your Android screen asking you to connect to your AirPods. Tap on ‘Connect’ to initiate pairing.

If the pop-up does not appear automatically, you can go into your Android Bluetooth settings and manually select your AirPods to connect. Your AirPods name will appear as something like “AirPods Max” or “AirPods Pro” depending on your model.

Once connected, your AirPods will appear in the list of paired Bluetooth devices. You can now start using your AirPods to listen to audio and take calls on your Android device.

Adjusting Volume

One of the most common issues when using AirPods with Android devices is getting the volume loud enough. Since AirPods are optimized for iOS, the maximum volume may seem lower when paired to an Android phone or tablet. Fortunately, there are a few things you can try to increase the volume of your AirPods when using them with an Android device:

First, use your Android device’s volume buttons to control the volume. The buttons on the side of your phone or tablet will sync up with your AirPods and allow you to turn the volume up and down. Keep in mind that the maximum volume may still be lower than what you’re used to on an iPhone, but this should help increase it to an acceptable level.

You can also try enabling “Absolute Volume” in your Bluetooth settings. This synchronizes the volume controls between your Android device and AirPods so adjustments made on one will carry over to the other. To enable it:

1. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Absolute Volume.

2. Turn on Absolute Volume syncing.

3. Adjust volume using your Android device buttons.

Enabling this setting has resolved low volume issues for many AirPod users on Android (https://www.headphonesty.com/2023/01/increase-volume-on-airpods-on-android/). Give it a try if you’re still struggling with quiet audio.

Using Touch Controls

One of the most convenient features of AirPods is the ability to control music playback right from the earbuds themselves. This allows you to start, stop, skip tracks, and more without having to grab your phone.

Here are the main touch controls available on AirPods when connected to an Android device:

Single Tap – Tap once on either AirPod to play or pause the audio.
Double Tap – Double tap on either AirPod to skip to the next track in your playlist or audio app.
Triple Tap – Triple tapping one AirPod will take you back to the previous track.

These touch controls allow you quick access to play, pause, and skip tracks. Just tap or double tap on either AirPod stem to control your audio (Pocket-lint). The touch sensitivity can be adjusted in Bluetooth settings on your Android device.

Checking Battery Life

There are a couple ways to check the battery life of your AirPods when paired to an Android device. The easiest way is to use a battery widget that will display the battery percentage for each AirPod and the charging case. Many free apps like PodBattery and AssistantTrigger provide a widget to add to your home screen for quick access.

You can also check the battery life by simply opening the lid of the AirPods case while near your Android device. This will trigger a popup notification that shows the battery level of each AirPod and the charging case. The popup may take a few seconds to appear but provides an easy way to glance at the battery levels if you don’t want to install a separate app.

Updating Firmware

Unfortunately, AirPods firmware cannot be updated directly from an Android device. AirPods firmware updates are only delivered over-the-air to AirPods that are actively connected to an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running the latest version of iOS. There is no way to update the firmware on AirPods while using them with an Android phone.

To update your AirPods firmware, you’ll need to connect them to an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad that is running at least iOS 12.2 or later. Open the AirPods case next to your iOS device and ensure Bluetooth is enabled to connect the AirPods. The firmware update will be pushed automatically over-the-air by Apple. You can check the firmware version of your AirPods by going to Settings > General > About on your iOS device.

Sources:

How to update your AirPods’ firmware – Android Authority

How to Update Your AirPods’ Firmware with Android – TechJunkie

Enabling EQ Settings

Unlike iPhones, Android devices do not have built-in EQ controls for AirPods. However, you can download third-party apps like Wavelet to enable EQ presets and customize the sound of your AirPods when using them with an Android phone.

Wavelet is a popular Android app that offers a system-wide EQ that works with most music apps. Once installed, you can select from a variety of EQ presets tuned to different genres or create your own custom preset. This lets you boost the bass, tweak the mids, or adjust the treble to suit your listening preferences.

The Wavelet app also has separate EQ settings for AirPods and AirPods Pro. So you can really fine-tune and optimize the sound quality to your liking. It’s an easy way to get more control over how your AirPods sound when paired to an Android device since there are no built-in EQ options.

Using a Single AirPod

With AirPods connected to your Android phone, you have the option to use one AirPod at a time. This allows you to still listen to audio while having one ear available to hear your surroundings or carry on a conversation.

When you remove one AirPod from your ear, any audio playing through the AirPods will automatically pause. To resume playback, simply re-insert the AirPod into your ear. This makes it easy to pause/resume your music, podcast, or phone call with a simple movement.

Another handy feature when using just one AirPod is being able to access your phone’s digital assistant. Double tap on the outward-facing side of the AirPod and it will activate the default voice assistant on your Android device (typically Google Assistant). You can then speak your request or command into the AirPod microphone.

So whether you want to briefly tune into the world around you, speak with someone near you, or access your voice assistant, using a single AirPod provides flexibility and convenience.

Reconnecting AirPods

If the connection is lost between your AirPods and Android device, follow these steps to reconnect:

Open the AirPods case near your Android phone to activate Bluetooth pairing mode. The AirPods should flash white to indicate they are in pairing mode (according to Apple Support).
Go to your Android device’s Bluetooth settings menu. On most Android devices this can be accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen and tapping the Bluetooth icon.

Find your AirPods in the list of available Bluetooth devices and tap to reconnect. The AirPods name may appear as something generic like “Headphones” in the Bluetooth menu.

Once reconnected, you can continue using your AirPods with your Android device. If the AirPods still fail to connect, you may need to repeat the pairing process from scratch.

Conclusion

When using AirPods with Android devices, there are a few key things to keep in mind. You can easily pair AirPods to an Android, adjust volume and touch controls, and check battery life. However, certain features like automatic ear detection, spatial audio, and quick pairing only work with Apple devices.

The pairing and connectivity process takes a few more steps compared to using AirPods with an iPhone or other Apple devices. You also won’t have access to AirPods firmware updates or the ability to customize EQ settings when connected to an Android.

Still, for most core functionality like listening to music, podcasts, and making calls, AirPods work great with Android phones. While you miss out on some convenient and advanced features, AirPods deliver an enjoyable wireless audio experience and seamless Bluetooth connectivity across Android devices.