How to pair AirPods 4 with your Android phone

The AirPods 4 earbuds are designed to work best with iPhone and other Apple devices, including automatic pairing and set-up. But under-the-hood, they are Bluetooth-compatible headphones and can pair to your Android phone, tablet or other device. Here’s how.

By default, AirPods pair automatically with other Apple devices, just by opening the case and bringing them close to an iPhone or iPad. To pair with non-Apple devices like your Android phone, you need to enter the manual pairing mode.

AirPods 4 come in two models; AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. Both AirPods 4 models come with a new style of charging case. The new case features a touch sensor and a hidden status LED, that cannot be seen when it is not illuminated. Here’s how to activate manual pairing mode on this case.

How to pair AirPods 4 with Android

1. On your Android phone, first check Bluetooth is enabled. Then, go to Bluetooth settings and tap Pair new device.
2. Place your AirPods earbuds inside the charging case.
3. Open the case lid, while holding the case near your Android phone.
4. Double-tap the blank front of the AirPods case. The case LED will start blinking white.
5. Select AirPods in the list of Bluetooth devices on your Android phone to complete pairing.

If your AirPods do not blink white when following the above steps, check they are sufficiently charged. You also need to tap firmly twice on the center of the front of the charging case. Watch the video for a visual demonstration of the steps required:

After pairing, your AirPods should now work with your Android phone over Bluetooth to play music, listen to podcasts, or other audio content. Unfortunately, other capabilities like software controls to change Noise Cancellation, Ear Detection, and other settings are not available when paired with Android.

If you want to customize these features, you must temporarily connect your AirPods to an iOS device or Mac first. The settings will stay applied when re-paired with your Android device.

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