AirPods have become one of the most popular wireless earbuds since their launch alongside the iPhone 7 in 2016. Apple positioned them as a convenient alternative to wired headphones after removing the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Over time, the impressive battery life, sound quality, and seamless connectivity have made AirPods a coveted accessory even among Android users. Market research shows that 31% of AirPod buyers use them with non-Apple devices.
So if you‘ve been eyeing a pair of sleek white AirPods to use with your Samsung Galaxy, you‘re not alone. While designed for the Apple ecosystem, AirPods can connect to any Bluetooth-compatible device.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll learn how to pair AirPods with Samsung phones to enjoy wireless listening minus some signature Apple-only features.
Step-By-Step Guide to Connect AirPods to Galaxy Devices
Connecting AirPods to a Samsung phone or tablet takes less than a minute. You‘ll need to turn on Bluetooth and put the AirPods in pairing mode.
Then it‘s smooth sailing with automatic connections each time you take the earbuds out of the charging case.
Step 1: Enable Bluetooth on Your Samsung Device
Start by ensuring Bluetooth is enabled on your Samsung Galaxy smartphone or tablet. You can do this quickly through the notification shade:
- Pull down the notification panel from the top of the screen
- Long press the Bluetooth icon
- Select the power toggle to switch on Bluetooth
Alternatively, open Settings and tap Connections > Bluetooth. Toggle the slider to On.
Enabling Bluetooth puts your device in discoverable mode so it can find nearby accessories ready to pair.
Step 2: Open the AirPods Case
Next, make sure your AirPods are in their case with the lid open. For the over-ear AirPods Max model, you can skip the case and proceed directly.
Pop open that distinct white glossy charging case that contributes to AirPods‘ recognizable aesthetic. Keep the case close to your phone for optimum connectivity.
Opening the lid activates pairing mode so the earbuds can link up with new devices.
Step 3: Press & Hold Setup Button
Here comes the most crucial part. You need to press and hold the small circular setup button on the back of your AirPods case:
Keep holding for a few seconds until your Samsung device shows a prompt for pairing new Bluetooth devices.
For AirPods Max, press & hold the noise control button located at the top of the right ear cup instead. Again, wait for the pairing prompt.
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Releasing either button after a few seconds keeps your AirPods discoverable for pairing new devices.
Step 4: Select AirPods From the Pairing List
You‘ll now see your AirPods pop up in the menu under Available Devices. Tap on the listing to connect them with your Samsung Galaxy phone or tablet.
That‘s it! After pairing, your AirPods will connect automatically with your Samsung device each time you take them out of the case.
Feel free to customize the touch controls and other Bluetooth settings to suit your preferences. Then get ready to enjoy wireless listening paired with Samsung convenience.
Limited Functionality of AirPods with Samsung Devices
Before getting too enthused about using your new AirPods with your Samsung smartphone, let‘s level-set expectations.
While AirPods sync seamlessly across Apple devices thanks to the new H1 chip, the experience is not as smooth with Android platforms.
You‘ll miss out on certain signature features that AirPods are known for when used with iPhones and other Apple devices.
Lack of Native Google Assistant Support
One of the main advantages of AirPods for iOS users is quick access to the Siri voice assistant. You can summon Siri to change tracks, look up information, set reminders and more.
Unfortunately, "Hey Siri" voice activation does NOT work when AirPods are connected to Samsung phones.
And you don‘t get native access to Google Assistant either. Without intuitive voice controls, you‘ll have to whip out your phone each time you want to do something basic like skip to the next podcast episode.
No Customizable Tap Controls
Double tapping the AirPods activates useful shortcuts like pausing music or skipping forward. With iPhones, you can customize these tap controls to your liking via the Bluetooth settings.
But that level of customization is missing on Android. The only tap control available is universal across devices – a single double tap to play/pause audio.
So you‘ll have to contend with taking out your Samsung phone for more robust controls unless you install one of the third-party assistive apps covered in the next section.
Can‘t View AirPods Battery Levels
A standout advantage of AirPods is the convenience of tracking current battery levels right on your iPhone. This allows planning charge cycles accordingly.
But Samsung phones don‘t give you the same level of visibility into power status. You‘ll simply have to guess based on usage time how much juice your AirPods have left before they die out.
While Qi-enabled Galaxy models can charge AirPods, you‘ll be charging blind sans battery indicators.
Extend Functionality With Android AirPods Apps
Luckily, Android developers have stepped in to help AirPods play nicer with Samsung devices. Several handy apps provide batteries stats, customizable controls, in-ear detection and other functionality.
Here are some top-rated options for getting more from AirPods with your Galaxy smartphone:
AirBattery
AirBattery is a popular app specifically for monitoring AirPods battery level from Android devices. As soon as you connect your AirPods, it displays current charging status front and center.
There‘s even a widget to check power levels at a glance. AirBattery also shows case battery info for additional insight into remaining usage time.
While the free version of AirBattery works well, upgrading to premium adds automation for low battery alerts and other useful features.
Assistant Trigger
Assistant Trigger brings quick access to Google Assistant on AirPods connected to Android devices.
It maps a double tap gesture to summon the voice assistant. This gives you Siri-like controls without taking out your phone.
You can also set up single tap shortcuts with the pro version. Plus it has experimental support for auto-pausing when you remove an AirPod from your ear.
Andropods
For the most fully-featured AirPods experience on Android, install Andropods. It combines battery monitoring, customizable tap controls, popup notifications and other capabilities.
Andropods lets you configure double tap and triple tap gestures on each AirPod independently. Set these to control music, launch apps, trigger Google Assistant and more.
There‘s even an auto-pause feature when taking out AirPods as well as sound amplification options.
Pros of Connecting AirPods to Samsung Devices
Despite some functionality gaps compared to iOS devices, AirPods offer unique upsides even for Samsung users:
Unmatched Comfort
A standout highlight of AirPods that keeps users hooked is the lightweight, comfortable design. The earbuds are shaped ergonomically to sit flush in your ears.
Many reviewers note that they can wear AirPods for hours without irritation or fatigue. This makes them well-suited for listening during long commutes or work sessions.
And the discreet profile delivers immersive audio without blocking out ambient sound like some models.
Better Battery Life Than Competition
While Apple no longer dominates smartphone battery benchmarks, AirPods still outlast most competitors. You get over 24 hours total including multiple case recharges.
Comparable wireless earbuds from Samsung, Sony and other brands tap out sooner. Exceptional battery efficiency ensures you can keep listening and talking all day.
Qi wireless charging compatibility also makes powering back up simple by placing the case on any supported charging pad.
Cons of Using AirPods With Samsung
To recap briefly, here are the notable disadvantages of AirPods paired with Samsung Galaxy phones:
- No native Google Assistant support: Unable to summon voice assistant hands-free
- Limited tap controls: Double tap only plays/pauses instead of customizable iOS gestures
- No battery indicators: Can‘t view AirPods or case charge levels on Android
- Missing ear detection feature: Audio won‘t auto pause when taking out buds
- No automatic switching: Can‘t seamlessly hop between Android and iOS devices
While the apps mentioned above recover certain functions, you won‘t get the best-in-class smart features that have popularized AirPods.
If you frequently switch between an iPhone and Samsung device, consider headphones that make cross-platform roaming easier rather than pure Apple accessories.
Summary: Enjoy AirPods With Your Samsung, Despite Some Caveats
AirPods offer a standout blend of design, sound, and intelligent connectivity that has made them the world‘s most popular headphones.
Their rising adoption even by Android users shows that sleek aesthetics and quality user experience resonate universally.
If you love what AirPods bring to the table but aren‘t ready to give up your Samsung flagship device, you absolutely can connect them.
Sure, you‘ll miss out on certain functionalities that make Apple ecosystems fluid. But the mobile apps mentioned above will cover at least basic controls.
Just set proper expectations going in. As long as you can live without "Hey Siri" voice commands and automated iOS-exclusive features, AirPods deliver on the freedom of wireless listening.
At the end of the day, mobility and media consumption benefit from ditching messy cords. So try out AirPods for ad-free tunes and crystal clear call audio without phone-in-hand distractions.
Just follow the straightforward pairing process outlined above. Customize buds with available tap controls and installed apps to suit your needs. Then relish sleek style with sweet surround sounds on your Galaxy!
