How do I control my AirPod Pro on Android?

Apple’s AirPods Pro are a popular set of true wireless earbuds known for their sound quality, active noise cancellation, and deep integration with iOS devices. However, AirPods Pro can also be used with Android smartphones, which opens them up to millions more potential users. There are some compatibility issues to be aware of though, as the AirPods Pro lose some functionality when paired with non-Apple devices. In this guide, we’ll briefly introduce AirPods Pro and discuss the main Android compatibility considerations.

Pairing AirPods Pro

Pairing your AirPods Pro to an Android device is quick and easy via Bluetooth. Here are the steps:

Ensure your AirPods Pro are in the case and open the lid. Press and hold the small setup button on the back of the AirPods case until the status light flashes white. This puts the AirPods Pro into pairing mode.

On your Android device, open the Settings app and select Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
Under Available Devices, you should see “AirPods Pro” show up. Tap on it to connect.
If prompted, select “Pair” on your Android device to confirm the connection.

Once paired successfully, the status light on the AirPods case will turn solid white.

Now your AirPods Pro and Android device are paired and ready to start listening!

Source: https://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-pair-airpods-pro-with-android/

Playback Controls

You can control music playback on your Android device using taps and squeezes on the AirPods Pro earbuds. This allows you to easily pause, play, skip tracks, and adjust volume without having to touch your phone.

To play or pause audio, simply tap either AirPod. Tapping again will play the audio if paused, or pause if playing (1). For next track, tap the right AirPod twice. For previous track, tap the left AirPod twice (2).

You can also squeeze the force sensor on the stem of either AirPod to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode (3). Squeezing and holding will invoke Google Assistant.

The touch controls on AirPods Pro for Android allow quick access to basic playback functions. With some practice, you’ll be able to control your music without looking at your phone. Just remember – right for next, left for previous track.

(1) Pause, skip, and adjust volume with your AirPods …

(2) How to Use AirPods Pro With Android: Complete Guide …

(3) How to use AirPods Pro with an Android phone – YouTube

Active Noise Cancellation

One of the standout features of AirPods Pro is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This uses advanced technology to block out external noise, allowing you to focus on your audio content without distractions. ANC works exceptionally well with AirPods Pro and can reduce ambient noise by over 20 decibels.

You can easily turn ANC on and off by pressing and holding the force sensor on the stem of either AirPod. Hold for about 2 seconds until you hear a tone confirming the mode change. The AirPods will cycle between ANC, Transparency mode, and ANC off. You’ll hear distinct tones for each mode.

With ANC activated, AirPods Pro do an impressive job blocking constant noises like engines, AC units, crowd chatter etc. The tight in-ear seal also passively blocks sound. Overall, this makes AirPods Pro ideal for noisy environments like planes, trains, offices, and commuting.1

ANC performance is powered by Apple’s H1 chip and advanced software. Microphones on the outside detect external noise which is canceled out by anti-noise before reaching your ears. This happens in real-time for seamless performance.

One tip is to try different eartip sizes for the best ANC experience. The tight seal is important for passive noise blocking. AirPods Pro come with three sizes so you can find the perfect fit.

Transparency Mode

The AirPods Pro have a transparency mode feature that allows ambient sound to pass through the earbuds so you can hear your surroundings. This can be useful if you want to be able to hear traffic or have a conversation without removing the earbuds.

To enable transparency mode on the AirPods Pro with an Android device:

Ensure your AirPods Pro are connected to your Android device.

On your Android device, open the Bluetooth settings.
Tap the settings icon next to your AirPods Pro.
Tap “Transparency Mode” to enable it.

You should now hear ambient sounds around you while wearing the AirPods Pro. To disable transparency mode, simply toggle “Transparency Mode” off in your Bluetooth settings. The earbuds will go back to noise cancellation mode.

Some users have reported issues getting transparency mode to work properly on Android. Make sure your AirPods Pro are updated to the latest firmware for best compatibility. You can also try resetting the AirPods by pressing and holding the button on the back of the case for 10-15 seconds if you experience issues.

Google Assistant

One of the key features of AirPods Pro is the ability to use “Hey Google” voice commands to activate Google Assistant on Android devices. This allows you to use the AirPods microphone to make requests, ask questions, set reminders, and more without needing to touch your phone.

To enable “Hey Google” on AirPods Pro with an Android device, you’ll first need to make sure you have the latest firmware installed on your AirPods. You can check for firmware updates and install them through the AirPods section in the Bluetooth settings on your Android device.

Next, you’ll need to enable Hey Google voice detection in your Google Assistant settings. Go to Assistant Settings > Voice > Voice Match and turn on “Hey Google” detection.

Finally, you’ll want to allow Google Assistant to use your AirPods microphone. Go to Assistant Settings > Devices > Allow phone to unlock with Voice Match and toggle your AirPods on.

Now when you’re wearing your AirPods Pro, you should be able to say “Hey Google” to activate Assistant and make requests using the AirPods microphone. This allows you to quickly get directions, set reminders, listen to music, and more completely hands-free on your Android device (1).

Customizing Controls

One limitation of using AirPods Pro with Android is the inability to customize the touch controls natively. On iOS, you can configure actions like play/pause, skip track, etc. for single, double, and triple taps on each earbud through Bluetooth settings. Unfortunately, Android does not offer the same level of customization.

However, third-party apps like AirBattery can add more configurable touch controls for Android users. These apps run in the background and intercept the touch commands from your AirPods Pro earbuds. You can assign custom actions like launching apps, adjusting volume, skipping tracks, activating voice assistants, and more.

The process involves pairing your AirPods Pro to your Android phone, installing the third-party app, granting permissions, and then customizing the touch control settings. It takes some initial setup but allows more personalization over the default touch controls. With the help of these apps, Android users can enjoy a more iOS-like experience with their AirPods Pro.

Updating Firmware

Keeping your AirPods Pro firmware up to date is important to get the latest features and optimizations. Here are the steps to update AirPods Pro firmware on Android:

Make sure your AirPods Pro case is charged to at least 50%.

With your AirPods Pro connected to your Android device, open the Settings app and go to Bluetooth.
Tap the “i” icon next to your AirPods Pro.
If a firmware update is available, tap “Update” to begin the process.

Place your AirPods Pro into the case and keep it open near your Android device.
The update will happen automatically and usually takes around 5-10 minutes.
Don’t interrupt the update or take your AirPods Pro out of the case during the process.

Once complete, the firmware version will be updated under your AirPods Pro settings.

Following these steps allows your AirPods Pro to receive over-the-air firmware updates directly on your Android device. Keep your AirPods Pro and case charged to ensure smooth and successful firmware updates.

Battery Level

One of the most useful features of AirPods is the ability to see the battery level of each earbud and the charging case. This allows you to monitor battery life and charge them when needed.

On iOS devices, battery status is displayed natively in the widgets panel or Bluetooth menu. However Android does not have native support to show AirPods battery levels.

Luckily, there are a few methods to check your AirPods Pro battery levels on Android devices:

Download the AirBattery app on Google Play. This will show battery percentages for the earbuds and case.

UseFind My Device app to locate AirPods. Battery status will be visible.
Connect AirPods to an Android device and open the case. A popup will show the battery level of each earbud.

Keeping an eye on your AirPods Pro battery levels ensures you won’t run out of charge when you need them. The resources above make it simple to monitor battery from your Android phone.

Conclusion

In summary, while AirPods Pro work well with Android devices, they are optimized for iPhone. You can pair AirPods Pro to an Android phone via Bluetooth and access basic playback controls like play/pause, skip track, and volume. Noise cancellation, transparency mode, and spatial audio can be toggled by long pressing the force sensor on the AirPod stem. However, more advanced features like automatic ear detection, customized controls, battery notifications, and firmware updates require an iPhone. Using AirPods Pro with an Android device provides a seamless wireless listening experience for music and calls, but lacks some of the deeper integration and customization available on iOS. Check for Android compatibility before purchasing AirPods Pro if you want full functionality. But for basic wireless listening, AirPods Pro work perfectly fine with most modern Android smartphones.