If you’ve got yourself a shiny new phone, you’ll likely be in the market for a good pair of Bluetooth headphones, too. With headphone jacks becoming a thing of the past, the design of many new phones has rendered traditional wired headphones almost obsolete.
There are loads of good wireless headphones out there varying in design, price and quality, but if you’re looking for a premium, in-ear option, you could do worse than the Apple AirPods.
Yep, that’s right – the AirPods can also connect to any Android phone, not just an iPhone. That makes them a strong contender if you prefer in-ear headphones to bulkier, over-ear cans. As well as their wireless simplicity and light fit, the AirPods offer big sound and teeny, built-in microphones, too.
Be warned, though – they come with a fairly hefty price tag. The standard AirPods will set you back £159, while the upgraded AirPods Pro – complete with customisable fit and active noise cancellation – cost £229 on Amazon.
Read on to find out everything you need to know to connect a pair of Apple AirPods to your Android-based phone…
How to turn on Bluetooth on your phone
Before you can pair any Bluetooth device – such as headphones – with your phone, you need to make sure that Bluetooth connections are enabled in your phone’s settings. Here’s how you do it.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the notification panel.
- Swipe down again to see your Quick Settings.
- If it's not already highlighted, tap the Bluetooth icon to switch it on.
READ MORE: How to connect AirPods to your iPhone
How to put Apple AirPods into pairing mode
To put your AirPods into pairing mode, first you need to insert the earbuds into the charging case and make sure they have at least some charge.
Next, open the charging case’s lid with the AirPods inside and hold the button on the back of the case. The activation of pairing mode will be indicated by a flashing white light in between the two AirPods.
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How to connect Apple AirPods to your Android phone
Once your AirPods are ready for pairing, the process of connecting them to your Android phone is incredibly simple. In fact, it’s the same process as connecting any pair of Bluetooth headphones. Just follow these simple steps.
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Choose ‘Connected devices’, then tap ‘Pair new device’.
- Select your Apple AirPods from the list of available devices.
- In the window that appears, tick the checkbox to allow access to your contacts and call history.
- Tap ‘Pair’.
Should you ever wish to unpair your Apple AirPods from your Android phone, simply navigate to the ‘Connected devices’ menu. Tap the gear icon next to your headphones, then tap ‘Forget’.
READ MORE: How to connect Bluetooth headphones to Xbox One
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