AirPods and Android: What Features You Lose When Using Apple Earbuds

Limited Capabilities on Android

The Apple AirPods series is one of the most popular choices on the market, but their full functionality is only available within the Apple ecosystem. While you can connect AirPods to any Android smartphone, including Samsung Galaxy devices, via standard Bluetooth, you automatically lose the "smart" features that distinguish Apple devices.

The first difference is in the pairing process. While AirPods pair automatically with Apple devices with a single tap, on Android, you must use the button on the charging case and manually search for the device in your Bluetooth settings. This is only the beginning; most features, such as Spatial Audio, ear detection, automatic switching between Apple devices, and health monitoring tools, simply do not work on Android.

Unavailable Features

For AirPods Pro 3 owners, the loss of features like the Hearing Test, Hearing Protection, and heart rate monitoring is particularly noticeable, as this data syncs exclusively with the Apple Fitness app. Furthermore, it is impossible to update the firmware without an Apple device. If you do not own an iPhone or Mac, you must visit an Apple service centre to perform updates, which is quite inconvenient.

Additionally, managing AirPods settings is only possible through the iOS interface. This means you cannot customise the press-and-hold controls, nor can you adjust Adaptive Audio or Conversation Awareness modes. Due to Bluetooth limitations, AirPods do not support multipoint connectivity, meaning the earbuds cannot automatically switch between two non-Apple devices.

Is There an Alternative?

Third-party applications attempt to mitigate these issues to some extent. For example, open-source programs like LibrePods can unlock features on Android such as noise control and gesture management. However, these solutions will never be as stable as official support. While the AirPods Pro 3 costs approximately $249, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro offers full integration with the Samsung ecosystem at the same price point, including 24-bit/96kHz audio transmission and 360-degree sound.

In conclusion, if you are an Android user, AirPods essentially become mid-range Bluetooth headphones. Their high price and the features for which users buy them are primarily intended for iPhone owners. If you want a complete experience, it is better to choose earbuds that are fully compatible with your smartphone.