Owners of wireless headphones for apple gadgets often have a question about how to connect AirPods to iPhone, and also whether it is possible to connect AirPods to Apple Watch. This overview provides answers to these and other questions.
How to connect AirPods to iPhone?
To complete the initial setup of your AirPods wireless headphones, you need to sign in to your iCloud account from your smartphone. This is necessary for the headset to be compatible with any Apple device linked to the same account.
To make a connection, you need an iPhone, iPad or iPod with iOS 10 or higher:
- Open the case and place it near the device.
- The setup program starts automatically on the device.
- Click on "Connect" and "Finish".
- Enjoy stereo sound.
To use on another iOS device:
- Open Control Center.
- Press the icon at the top right to change the settings.
- Click and select AirPods from the list.
How to connect AirPods to iPad, Apple Watch?
Connecting to other devices running iOS is done in the same order, while you need to know that the versions of operating systems for this must be:
- For Apple Watch -\u003e WatchOS version 3 and higher.
- For Apple TV -\u003e tv OS from version 11 and above.
Connect to MacBook
To connect, you need a MacBook with macOS Sierra or later:
- Place the accessory in the case.
- Press the button on the back of the case.
- The LED between the headphone jacks will blink white.
- Click on the button in the menu bar and under the Output Device section of your MacBook and select AirPods Wireless.
Connecting AirPods to Android and Windows Phone Devices
It is possible to connect wireless headphones to Android and Windows devices. The connection process is carried out in exactly the same way as with other devices with a Bluetooth module:
- Open the case and place it near the device
- Press the round button on the back. The white indicator starts flashing.
- Find your AirPods in the list of Bluetooth devices and pair.
What to do if AirPods can't connect to your device
If one of the headphones stops working, then:
- first you need to install them in the charging case for 10 seconds;
- after that, you should insert them into your ears, and after 3-5 seconds, AirPods will automatically connect to your device;
- check the connection indicator on the case - during operation it glows white;
- if this does not happen, then close the cover and hold down the reset button and open the cover at the same time;
- in this case, the lamp will turn white or blink yellow for a short time, after which it will change to white;
- if the connection did not occur, then you need to turn off the Bluetooth module on the device for a minute through the Control Center program.
If ordinary headphones with wires for iOS gadgets have a remote control, what about the AirPods wireless accessories? How can I switch between tracks, pause songs, not interrupt conversations while watching a video or shooting a video, and give other commands? Let's talk about this today.
First, a little about the product itself and its benefits.
- The headset comes with an Apple W1 processor. It provides first-class data transmission over wireless networks. The part also provides excellent sound and does not require recharging for a long period. Siri functions are fully supported. The assistant is called by a simple 2nd tap.
- Set up AirPods with one touch. Headphones are connected to devices automatically. The accessory recognizes when the user takes them out of his ears, and immediately stops playing the track. They interact with the same quality with all products of the "apple" company. To get started, just take out the headset from the case - and it's ready for interaction. When you put on an item, it will connect to the gadget in a second.
- Ample opportunities are provided by the W1 processor. It was developed directly for this accessory. The connectivity is 100% wireless, which allows AirPods to sound their best without crashing. The battery charge melts much more slowly than other similar models on the market.
- Listening to music tracks can last up to 5 hours from one full charge cycle. According to the developer, this is the best result on the market. And when using a special cover, the duration of work increases to a day. Place the accessory in the case for 12-15 minutes and enjoy your favorite music for another three hours.
- Perhaps the only drawback of the product is its rather high cost. It starts at 12,000 rubles. Accessories are sold separately from gadgets, not included. However, with the iPhone 7 line, these add-ons are already coming along with smartphones. The headphones are equipped with Lightning connectors and adapters for connecting ordinary 3.5 mm elements.
Automatic playback: setting
If the data exchange between the headphones and the device is made, then when placed in the ears, it immediately starts playing tracks. If you remove one element, the composition will be paused. If you get both, it will be similar to pressing the stop button, that is, there will be complete silence.
We make this option active through the Bluetooth settings. Next, click on the name of the headphones themselves. Then we turn on the auto-detect ear mode. If the elements are not used, the tracks will start playing through the speakers of the iOS gadget.
When the element detection function is disabled on the machine, all tracks will be played through headphones. And this will happen regardless of whether the accessories are in the ears or not.
AirPods control methods
The main tasks are solved using Airpods Siri. The assistant is called by the 2nd knock on any element.
Siri can do anything. Examples of commands that are given through the assistant, that is, with just one voice:
- playback of selected music tracks;
- increasing the volume (the assistant adjusts this parameter - you can not only increase, but also decrease);
- pause track playback;
- obtaining information about the battery charge level (how to check - yes, just give the command by voice);
- information on how the user can get home and much more.
Among the shortcomings, we note the impossibility to turn on the next composition manually, change the sound volume level and more. In wired headphones, all these functions are successfully implemented.
Even with the network disconnected, the user will not be able to contact Siri and give a command. Perhaps in the future, the "apple" company will take into account the flaws and add new ways to control AirPods through Siri.
How do I answer a call on AirPods?
If in the process of listening to music tracks the user gets a call, Siri announces the call. The answer is possible through the 2nd tap on the top of any earphone.
So that the user can make calls, the developer has equipped each element with a microphone. Its default settings are set to automatic mode. In other words, each of them can be used as a microphone. When there is one element in the work, it is he who will perform these functions.
In the Bluetooth settings of the "apple" device, in the Bluetooth section, you can always force the parameter to always be right or left. By applying certain settings, the accessory will act as a microphone even when pulled out of the ear.
Controlling AirPods remotely
Unlike simple earphones with wires, these ones follow the shape of the auricle. Therefore, they are very convenient. The speakers are designed so that the loss of sound quality is minimal. But the power, on the contrary, is at its peak.
The accessory is equipped with a microphone and a built-in remote control. Thanks to the latter, you can control the headphones remotely - turn down or turn up the volume, take a call with a single touch, and more.
Controlling AirPods with the remote
Main functions:
- Start playback or pause. Click once on the button element in the middle to play or pause the track. To resume the process - do the same.
- Skip to the next track. Press 2 times on the button in the middle.
- Referring to the previous song. Very quickly click on the button in the center.
- Flash forward. Press quickly 2 times and hold the element in the center.
- Rewind. Everything is the same, but it only requires a triple tap.
- Answer a call or end a conversation. It is performed by pressing the central element once.
- Call rejection. Press and hold the element in the center for about 2-3 seconds, then release. 2 short sound signals will inform about the successful outcome of the operation.
- Switch to an incoming call or a call on hold. You want to click on the center item. And to return to the first call - press again.
- The same as in the previous step, but with the termination of the current call. It is required to press and hold the element in the center for about 2-3 seconds, and then release it. 2 short beeps will be heard again.
- Working with Siri. Click and hold on the center item to launch the assistant. Then you can ask him any questions. For example, ask to set a timer for a few seconds. Or find out what's in theaters today. It will also be available to enable voice airplane mode, Bluetooth, accessibility and many other options. The assistant is excellent at recognizing natural speech. Therefore, memorizing strict commands is not required, as well as memorizing key phrases.
Now you know how to operate headphones and how to connect an accessory to an iPhone. For this, no buttons are needed - the elements are connected independently. It's easy to issue commands. You can adjust the volume with a single gesture. All you have to do is tell Siri to “turn up the volume,” and the headphones turn it up.
Charging the accessory is often not required - and this is another definite plus of the product. It can be charged from the case, which will provide several cycles and will allow you to work without additional recharging for up to a day.
You don't need to install any external application for AirPods. The phone automatically recognizes the accessory. A remote control is used to make the device answer calls. It is possible not to interrupt the conversation during other activities, such as filming video.
Unlike conventional round drop earbuds, Apple earbuds are designed around the shape of the ear. That is why, for many users, EarPods are much more convenient than any other model. EarPods speakers are engineered to deliver the lowest audio quality loss and maximum power.
Apple headphones have a microphone and a built-in remote control that lets you adjust volume, control music and video playback, and take and end calls with a tap. How to use the three-button EarPods remote control as efficiently as possible, further in our article.
How to control iPhone with EarPods remote
1. Play / pause... Press the center button once to play music or pause a song or video. Press the button again to resume playback.
2. Skip to the next song... Press the center button twice.
3. Skip to the previous song... Press the center button three times quickly.
4. Flash forward... Press and hold the Center button twice quickly.
5. Rewind... Press and hold the Center button three times quickly.
6. Answer a call / end a conversation... A single press of the center button allows you to answer an incoming call or end an ongoing call.
7. Rejecting an incoming call... Press and hold the center button for about two seconds and then release. Two short beeps confirm call rejection.
8. Switch to an incoming call or to a call on hold, placing the current call on hold. Press the center button. Press again to return to the first call.
9. Switches to an incoming or held call and ends the current call. Press and hold the center button for about two seconds and then release. Two short beeps confirm the end of the first call.
10. Using Siri... Press and hold the center button to launch the voice assistant. Siri can be asked any questions and tasks: from "set the timer for 3 minutes" (set the timer for 3 minutes) to "what movies are showing tonight" (what is shown in the cinema today?). Siri can launch apps and turn features on and off, such as Airplane Mode, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, and Accessibility. Siri speaks naturally, so you don't need to memorize specific commands or memorize keywords.
AirPods are Apple's new wireless earbuds. They make it possible to interact with Siri, music and audio, and answer calls. They are popular with iPhone users, but work with most iOS devices.
When you buy a new pair of headphones, you might be wondering how to connect it to your iPhone. It turns out that everything is simple. Most of the process is automated. Don't worry if something doesn't go as planned.
Before starting, make sure your AirPods are charged (they usually come with a charged battery) and that the device you want to sync them with is compatible. If you're unsure, you can see the supported devices below, but almost all modern Apple products will work with AirPods.
Connection process
Pairing AirPods with newer iPhones is surprisingly easy. Take your iOS device and case. You can connect AirPods to iPhone as follows:
- Unlock the iPhone you want to connect to a pair of AirPods and go to the home screen (where you see all the application icons);
- Open the case with the headphones without taking them out and hold it near the iPhone;
- Wait for the iPhone to detect AirPods and click "Connect";
- Click Finish.
Airpods are connected and ready to go. Also, if you use the same Apple ID and iCloud account on multiple devices, AirPods will automatically set up to work with them.
Compatibility and supported devices
AirPods work with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV, but all of these devices are assumed to have the latest software. The connection is via Bluethoth. The headphones are compatible with the following devices and software versions:
- iPhone (4, 4s, 5, 5s, 6, 7, 8, X), iPad, iPod touch, starting with iOS 10 and later;
- Mac running macOS Sierra 10.12.3 and later
- Apple Watch with watchOS 3
- Apple TV with tvOS11.
As such, they are compatible with all current versions of Apple's software. If the device is brand new, then it will work with these headphones, and even older devices are easy to connect if they have the software mentioned above installed.
AirPods not connecting to iOS or not installed correctly? What to do?
If for some reason your headphones won't connect or sync with your iPhone after the setup process above, you'll need to hold down the setup button on your AirPods and try again. You should also do this if you are connecting the headphones to another iPhone:
- Place the headphones in the case if you haven't already;
- Press and hold the install button on the back of the AirPods Charging Case for 18 seconds, or until the charging light flashes orange and then white;
- Repeat the initial installation process outlined above in the article.
It's also worth mentioning that while AirPods should come with the latest software installed, they should be updated if possible.
AirPods are now connected and ready to work with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other Apple device. Using them is very simple, just double-tap your headphones to call Siri, answer a phone call, control music.
How to distinguish original from fake
Here are some tips to help you distinguish genuine Apple headphones from fake ones:
- Price. The first thing to look out for when buying. Obviously, original AirPods cost a lot more than third-party ones;
- Packaging and case. Take a close look at the cover, it should be pure white, made of high-quality plastic, and be smooth. If this is not the case, you can be sure that you have a fake in your hands;
- Headphone color. This is the easiest way to distinguish an original from a fake. Original AirPods are available in white only;
- Build quality. The original headphones consist of three parts that are precisely connected to each other without unnecessary plastic. Also, compared to fake, they look sturdier, better quality and heavier (due to premium build quality);
- Comfortable to wear. Try inserting AirPods into your ear. Apple headphones should fit neatly under the ear cavity and should not fall out;
- Headphone control. The original ones do not have buttons. For control, they have built-in optical sensors and accelerometers of motion and voice;
- Company logo and other designations. Apple's original case doesn't have their logo on it. There should also be no other inscriptions. On the headphones themselves, there should be only the letters L and R, which show which headphone is right and which is left;
- Sound quality. The headphones are designed to produce the best possible sound using their own design. This design guarantees deeper lows and crisp highs when listening to music. If the sound quality seems low to you, then this is a direct indicator that the headphones are fake;
- Microphone quality. Among other things, checking the quality of a microphone is an easy way to understand if your product is original or not. Usually people do not pay attention to such a detail, but it is enough just to call a friend and ask if he hears your voice loudly and clearly, if there is any extraneous noise.
If you don't buy AirPods from an official Apple store, these tips will help you make sure you get the original earbuds and don't lose your money.
How to clean your headphones
Spending over 10,000 rubles on headphones is not an easy decision. And if you did buy AirPods, do not forget to take care of them, and then they will not have to be replaced with the new iPhone upgrade. After all, in the end, you will not just store them in a case. So here are some tips on how to clean your AirPods.
Dirt, dust, lint, earwax, and more easily spill onto the glossy white surface of AirPods, and you'll need to clean your headphones from time to time. It is best to do this consistently so that dirt does not accumulate.
- Microfiber. Get a microfiber cloth and carry it with you at all times, wipe down your AirPods and their case every few days;
- Water. At the heart of the earbuds is plastic and glue, they are not waterproof or water-permeable, but they are made very hard. There are many reviews that these headphones kept working even after getting into the washing machine. So don't worry if a little water gets on them;
- Contrary to popular belief, hand sanitizer and similar cleaning solutions are bad for electronics. Don't use them for your AirPods. You run the risk of damaging the plastic surface, or even internal electronics. Instead, a little water and a microfiber cloth will help you remove dirt or grease from the surface;
- Cotton swab. While everyone would like headphones to be a seamless, seamless piece of plastic, they are not. And small gaps are easily filled with dust and dirt. In such places, the cloth will not help you. And a cotton swab will be very comfortable. It is also easy for her to remove earwax from the speaker grill;
- Finally, if you find a particularly stubborn stain, use an eraser.
This way you can clean your headphones from dirt, and in order to keep their appearance for a long time, do not be lazy and follow the tips below.
- Polish your Airpods with a microfiber cloth from time to time to keep the color bright and the surface shiny;
- Don't forget about ear hygiene;
- If you do not use headphones, store them in a special case;
- Try to make sure that only you use your headphones. This advice also applies to hygiene.
AirPods were first introduced to the public with the launch of the iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2. They are sold separately from compatible gadgets, and even Apple's latest top-of-the-line iPhone Xs Max cannot boast AirPods included.
And now, when the Apple wireless headset is in your hands, a quite reasonable question arises: how to connect Airpods to an iPhone?
Compatible iPhones
There is only one condition under which you can connect the headset to the gadget:the iPhone must have an operating system version of at least iOS 10.1.
This means the earbuds will work with iPhone 5, 6, 7 and later.
Connecting Wireless AirPods to iPhone
Unlock your iPhone. Next to it, open the charging case with the "drops" inside.
The AirPods image appears on the iPhone screen. Click the "Configure" and then "Finish" buttons.
The first pairing is ready. If an iCloud profile is connected on the smartphone, then after the first pairing, the settings for all other Apple products that support AirPods and are connected to this iCloud profile will be saved.
Answers to popular questions
There are quite a few questions about Apple wireless headphones on the network. Here are the most common ones, to which I will give answers.
Airpods only for iPhone or not?
No. The headphones also support other Apple products:
- All iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch with iOS 10.1 or later.
- Apple Watch with WatchOS 3 or higher operating system.
- All Macs with macOS Sierra (10.12) or higher.
Are AirPods for Android?
Yes. Apple wireless headphones can be connected via Bluetooth to any gadget, be it on Android or Windows. But it should be understood that headphones outside the Apple ecosystem are turning into an ordinary device for listening to music.
It's not difficult to connect them. Activate bluetooth on your android gadget, open the case with the headphones inside and press the only button on the case so that the indicator blinks white. In the bluetooth search, find the AirPods headphones and click "Connect".
Can I connect headphones to multiple devices at the same time?
Can. But in this case, the sound between devices will switch automatically. Alas, you won't be able to listen to sound from two devices at the same time.
Connect, for example, headphones to your iPhone and iPad. When playing music, you can switch the sound source (headphones or speakers).
To do this:
- Open the control panel (swipe up from the bottom of the screen).
- Swipe from right to left to open the player screen.
- Click on the play sound icon and select the Apple headphones.
Airpods do not connect to iPhone, what should I do?
If the interface with the headphone pattern does not appear on the unlocked screen of the iPhone:
- Check that the case with the headphones is near the smartphone and they are charged.
- Close the lid of the headphone case and open after 10-20 seconds. The indicator LED should flash white.
- If the indicator does not show signs of life, close the case, press and hold the button on the back of the case until the indicator flashes.
How much do Airpods cost?
Original AirPods in Apple retail cost 13 490.00 rubles.
Are there original colored Airpods?
No. Apple did not present its popular headphones in a multicolored palette. Only white! But, there were craftsmen who were able to paint the original "droplets" with a sufficiently high quality along with the case. With the help of professional equipment and special paints of Dutch production, the entrepreneurs have achieved a quality product with a guarantee. However, the price for colored items is 50-80% higher than the original ones.
Airpods 2 release date
Apple is silent, but a large amount of hints, rumors, and inside information suggest that Airpods 2 generations, cupertinos will present in December 2018, and on sale top-end wireless headphones will arrive in 2019.
