It’s only been a little over two years since Apple unleashed its truly wireless earbuds — the aptly namedAirPods— on the world, but in that time they’ve become nearly as ubiquitous as their iconic corded predecessors, the EarPods. Now in theirsecond generation, these earbuds are more popular than ever. But how exactly do they work, what can they do, and how can you use them with your various devices? Whether you already own AirPods or are thinking of buying them, here’s a comprehensive guide to using Apple’s AirPods.
What are AirPods?
AirPods aretruly wireless earbuds, which means that each earpiece is fully self-contained. There’s no need for any wires because the tiny speaker, microphone, battery, sensors, and wireless chip are all embedded inside the white plastic shell of each AirPod. AirPodscome with a charging casethat doubles as a safe and convenient way to store the earbuds when you’re not using them. The charging case is available in both wired and wireless versions, but in this case, we’re referring to how they’re recharged. The wireless model can be charged using an Apple lightning cable, or via aQi-compatible wireless charger, whereas the wired version can only be charged via the lightning cable.
Depending on the version, AirPods offer between 4-5 hours of battery life before needing to be recharged in the charging case, though you may get substantially more time if you keep the volume set low.
What can AirPods do?
You can use AirPods for wirelessly listening to all kinds of audio fromstreaming musictolive streaming TV. They work for voice calls too, and depending on whether you own the first or second generation — and are using an iOS device — you can summon Siri by tapping an AirPod, or by saying, “Hey Siri.” The built-in sensors let each AirPod know if it’s sitting in your ear or not, and they will automatically pause any audio when removed. This can be enabled or disabled if you’re an iOS user, but it’s turned on permanently for non-Apple devices.
Another handy AirPod feature if you’re an Apple device loyalist, is the ability to switch automatically between an iPhone and anApple Watch. By using iCloud, you can skip the pairing process with any other Apple devices you own, like Macs,Apple TVs, or aniPod Touch.
How do I use AirPods?
As simple and easy to use as AirPods are, some features require a bit of an explanation.
How to pair AirPods with an iPhone
This process couldn’t be easier:
How to pair AirPods with an Android or non-Apple device
This process is only a wee bit harder:
How to use AirPods to control your device
There are two main ways to control what’s happening on your connected Apple device with your AirPods.
The first, and most versatile, is to use Siri. If you have the first-generation AirPods, you can get Siri’s attention by double-tapping the left or right AirPod, depending on your settings (more on this below). Second-gen AirPods come pre-configured for hands-free Siri as long as “Hey Siri” is enabled on your iPhone. Using Siri gives you access to a variety of commands, such as:
In fact, some things, like adjusting the volume can only be done hands-free when using Siri.
The second way is to use the double-tap feature. Each AirPod can be assigned a different double-tap function (sadly there’s no single-tap option), which is managed in the Bluetooth menu under Settings, in iOS. Your options for double-tap are:
Is there a difference between the first and second generation AirPods?
Yes, there are differences betweenthe first and second generation AirPodsthough they’re subtle. The newer model offers slight improvements in battery life, Bluetooth connectivity, and the ability to summon Siri without double-tapping. But there’s also a compatibility difference:
First-gen AirPods will work with:
However, the newer second-gen AirPods require more up-to-date software on these devices:
