AirPods will connect to Samsung phones, but the process differs slightly from pairing with iPhones
AirPods are designed for Apple devices, but Samsung phones can pair with them through standard Bluetooth. The connection works the same way it would with any other wireless earbuds — you enable Bluetooth on your Samsung phone, put the AirPods in pairing mode, and select them from the available devices list. The audio will play, calls will come through, and the microphone will work for voice calls and voice commands.
The main limitation is that some Apple-specific features do not work on Samsung phones. You will not see the battery percentage in a dedicated widget, automatic ear detection (which pauses music when you remove an earbud) may not function, and Siri voice commands will not set up. Despite these gaps, AirPods remain fully functional for listening to music, watching videos, and taking calls on a Samsung device.
Key Takeaways
- AirPods pair with Samsung phones through the standard Bluetooth settings menu, the same way any wireless earbuds would.
- Battery percentage and automatic ear detection do not display or work on Samsung phones, even after a successful pairing.
- Once paired, AirPods will reconnect automatically to your Samsung phone when Bluetooth is turned on and the earbuds are powered.
- If the connection drops or becomes unstable, forgetting the AirPods from your Bluetooth settings and re-pairing them usually fixes the problem.
Steps to pair AirPods with your Samsung phone
Start by opening the Settings app on your Samsung phone. Tap Connections, then select Bluetooth. Make sure the toggle is turned on — you will see a blue switch when Bluetooth is active.
Next, prepare your AirPods for pairing. Place both earbuds in the charging case and close the lid. Open the case lid (do not close it again) and press and hold the button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light inside flashes white. This puts the AirPods into pairing mode.
Return to your Samsung phone's Bluetooth settings. Your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds, usually labeled as "AirPods" or "AirPods (2nd generation)" depending on your model. Tap the name to connect. Once the connection is complete, you will see "Connected" displayed next to the AirPods name.
What to do if your AirPods do not appear in the Bluetooth list
If the AirPods do not show up after 15 to 20 seconds, the pairing mode may not have activated. Return to the case, close the lid, wait five seconds, then open it again. Press and hold the back button for another 15 seconds — the light should flash white more noticeably this time. Some users find they need to hold the button longer than expected, so try 20 to 25 seconds if the first attempt does not work.
If the AirPods still do not appear, restart your Samsung phone's Bluetooth. Go back to Settings, tap Connections, and toggle Bluetooth off. Wait 10 seconds, then toggle it back on. Return to the available devices list and try the pairing process again. This often clears temporary connection issues that prevent the AirPods from broadcasting their pairing signal.
As a last step, check that your Samsung phone's Bluetooth is not already connected to another device. If your AirPods are paired with an iPhone, Mac, or iPad that is nearby and powered on, they may connect to that device instead of your Samsung phone. Disable Bluetooth on those devices temporarily, then attempt to pair with your Samsung phone again.
How to reconnect AirPods after they have been paired once
After the first pairing, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you turn on Bluetooth on your Samsung phone and power on the earbuds. You do not need to repeat the pairing process each time. straightforward take the AirPods out of the case, and within a few seconds they should show as connected in your Bluetooth settings.
If the AirPods do not reconnect automatically, open your Bluetooth settings and look for the AirPods in the list of paired devices. Tap the name to manually reconnect. If they still do not connect, you can forget the pairing and set it up again using the steps above. To forget the AirPods, tap the settings icon (usually a gear or three dots) next to the AirPods name in your Bluetooth list, then select Forget or Unpair.
Features that work and features that do not work on Samsung phones
AirPods function normally for music playback, video watching, and phone calls on Samsung devices. The microphone works for voice calls, and you can use voice commands through Google Assistant by pressing and holding the stem of the earbud (on newer AirPods models). Volume and track controls also work as expected.
The features that do not work include battery percentage display — you will not see how much charge remains in a dedicated widget or notification — and automatic ear detection, which normally pauses music when you remove an earbud on Apple devices. Siri voice commands will not set up on Samsung phones. The spatial audio feature, which creates a surround-sound effect on compatible Apple devices, also does not function on Samsung. Despite these limitations, the core listening and calling experience remains solid.
Troubleshooting a weak or dropping connection
If your AirPods frequently disconnect or the audio cuts out, the issue is usually interference or distance. Move closer to your Samsung phone — Bluetooth has a typical range of 30 feet, but walls, metal objects, and other wireless devices can reduce that. If you are in a crowded area with many Bluetooth devices (like a coffee shop or office), try moving to a different location to see if the connection improves.
If the problem persists, forget the AirPods from your Bluetooth settings and re-pair them. This clears any corrupted pairing data that may be causing the instability. Go to Settings, tap Connections, select Bluetooth, find the AirPods, tap the settings icon next to them, and choose Forget. Then repeat the pairing steps from the beginning. After re-pairing, the connection is usually more stable.
Another step is to check whether your Samsung phone's Bluetooth software is current. Go to Settings, tap About phone, and look for a Software update option. Installing any available updates can improve Bluetooth stability and compatibility with third-party devices like AirPods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use only one AirPod with my Samsung phone?
Yes. Take a single earbud out of the case while the other remains inside, and it will pair and work normally. You can switch between using one earbud and both by straightforward removing or returning the second one to the case. The audio will automatically route to whichever earbud is in use.
Will my AirPods stay connected if I switch between my Samsung phone and another device?
AirPods will stay connected to whichever device they last paired with. If you want to use them with your Samsung phone after using them with an iPhone, you will need to manually reconnect them through your Samsung phone's Bluetooth settings. They do not automatically switch between devices the way they do between Apple products.
Do I need to do anything special to use AirPods for phone calls on Samsung?
No. Once paired, incoming calls will ring through the AirPods, and you can answer by tapping the stem. The microphone will pick up your voice automatically. You can also use the volume controls on the earbud to adjust call volume during a conversation.
What should I do if one AirPod is not charging in the case?
Check that the earbud is making full contact with the charging pins inside the case. Remove it, clean the metal contacts on both the earbud and the case with a dry cloth, and place it back in the case. If it still does not charge, the case battery may be depleted — plug the case into a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on your AirPods model) and let it charge for at least 15 minutes before trying again.
Can I use AirPods with multiple Samsung phones at the same time?
AirPods can only connect to one device at a time. If you want to switch them to a different Samsung phone, you will need to disconnect them from the first phone and manually reconnect them to the second through Bluetooth settings. They will not automatically detect and switch between multiple Samsung devices.