What AirFly Does and Why You Need It

AirFly is a small Bluetooth adapter made by Twelve South that lets you use wireless AirPods with devices that only have a headphone jack or older Bluetooth that doesn't work with AirPods. It sits between your device and your AirPods, translating the signal so they can talk to each other. The most common reason to use it: connecting AirPods to an airplane's seatback entertainment system, a gym machine, or a car with only a 3.5mm jack.

AirFly comes in two versions. The standard AirFly has a 3.5mm headphone jack on one end and Bluetooth on the other. The AirFly Pro adds USB-C and a small screen that shows battery life and connection status. Both do the same job — they just plug into different ports depending on what device you're connecting to.

Key Takeaways

  • AirFly pairs with your AirPods the same way any Bluetooth device does: put AirFly in pairing mode, then select it from your AirPods' Bluetooth menu.
  • You only pair AirFly with your AirPods once; after that, they reconnect automatically whenever AirFly is powered on and in range.
  • AirFly itself connects to your device through a headphone jack, USB-C, or USB-A cable, depending on which version you own.
  • If your AirPods won't connect, restart both the AirFly and your AirPods, then try pairing again from the Bluetooth menu.
  • AirFly has a built-in battery that lasts about 16 hours per charge and recharges via USB cable.

Pairing AirFly with Your AirPods for the First Time

The first time you use AirFly, you need to pair it with your AirPods. This is a one-time setup — after that, they'll recognize each other automatically. Start by charging AirFly fully using the USB cable that came in the box. A full charge takes about two hours.

Once AirFly is charged, press and hold the button on the back of the device for about five seconds until you see a white light flashing. This means AirFly is in pairing mode and looking for a Bluetooth device to connect to. On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings, go to Bluetooth, and look for "AirFly" in the list of available devices. Tap it. Your AirPods should now show as connected to AirFly.

If you're using AirFly Pro, the small screen on the front will show "Pairing" while it's searching, then display a checkmark when your AirPods connect. The standard AirFly just shows the flashing white light — once it stops flashing and stays solid, the pairing is complete.

Connecting AirFly to Your Device (Airplane, Car, or Gym Equipment)

Once AirFly is paired with your AirPods, you connect AirFly itself to the device you want to use. This is different from pairing — you're not adding a new Bluetooth connection, you're just plugging AirFly into a port or jack.

If your device has a 3.5mm headphone jack (older cars, seatback screens, some gym machines), plug the AirFly directly into that jack. If your device has USB-A (some older laptops or desktop computers), use the AirFly Pro with a USB-A adapter, or use a standard AirFly with a USB-to-3.5mm adapter. If your device has USB-C (newer phones, tablets, or laptops), use the AirFly Pro, which has a USB-C connector built in.

Once AirFly is plugged in, power it on by pressing the button. Your AirPods will automatically reconnect to it — you don't need to pair them again. The device you plugged AirFly into should now recognize it as a Bluetooth headset and route audio through your AirPods.

What to Do If Your AirPods Won't Connect to AirFly

If your AirPods don't show up in AirFly's Bluetooth menu, or if they connect but then disconnect, start by restarting both devices. Put your AirPods back in their case for 10 seconds, then take them out. At the same time, turn off AirFly by pressing the button until the light goes out, then wait 10 seconds and turn it back on.

Once both devices are restarted, put AirFly back into pairing mode by holding the button for five seconds until the light flashes white. Go back to your phone's Bluetooth settings and tap AirFly again. This clears out any stuck connection and usually fixes the problem.

If AirFly still won't pair, check that your AirPods are fully charged and that AirFly itself has battery. A low battery on either device can prevent pairing. You can also try "forgetting" AirFly from your phone's Bluetooth menu — go to Settings > Bluetooth, find AirFly in the list, tap the info icon, and select "Forget This Device" — then pair it fresh.

Battery Life and Charging

AirFly holds a charge for about 16 hours of continuous use, which is enough for a cross-country flight or a full day of gym sessions. The battery drains slowly even when AirFly is off, so if you haven't used it in a few weeks, charge it before your next trip.

Charge AirFly using the USB cable included in the box. Plug the cable into a USB power adapter (any standard phone charger works) and connect it to AirFly. On the standard AirFly, a red light means it's charging; the light turns off when it's full. On AirFly Pro, the screen shows a battery icon that fills as it charges.

A full charge from empty takes about two hours. You don't need to fully drain AirFly before charging it — topping it up whenever you get the chance is fine and actually extends the battery's lifespan.

Using AirFly with Multiple Devices

Once you've paired AirFly with your AirPods, you can use that same AirFly with any device that has a headphone jack, USB-A, or USB-C port. You don't need to re-pair your AirPods each time — they'll automatically reconnect to AirFly whenever it powers on.

However, AirFly can only be connected to one device at a time. If you plug it into an airplane seatback screen, it's connected to that screen. If you then want to use it with your car's headphone jack, you unplug it from the airplane and plug it into the car. Your AirPods stay paired with AirFly the whole time — they just follow it to whatever device it's plugged into.

If you want to use AirPods with multiple devices simultaneously (like listening to your phone while also hearing audio from your laptop), you'd need a separate AirFly for each device, or you'd need to manually switch your AirPods' Bluetooth connection between devices each time.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If audio is cutting out or sounds distorted, move AirFly closer to your AirPods. Bluetooth works best within about 30 feet with a clear line of sight. In an airplane, keep AirFly in your lap or cup holder rather than in a bag under the seat.

If your AirPods connect to AirFly but the device you plugged AirFly into doesn't recognize it, check that AirFly is actually powered on — press the button and look for the light. Some devices also require you to manually select AirFly as the audio output in their settings menu. On a seatback screen, this might be under "Audio Settings" or "Bluetooth Devices." On a car, it might be under "Paired Devices" or "Audio Source."

If AirFly gets hot or the battery drains very quickly, it may be defective. Twelve South offers a one-year warranty on AirFly, so contact their support if you suspect a hardware problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pair AirFly with my AirPods every time I use it?

No. You pair them once, and they stay paired. Every time you turn AirFly on, your AirPods will automatically reconnect to it without any action from you. You only need to pair again if you forget AirFly from your phone's Bluetooth settings or if you're pairing AirFly with a different set of AirPods.

Can I use AirFly with non-Apple headphones?

Yes. AirFly works with any Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, not just AirPods. The pairing process is the same — put AirFly in pairing mode and select it from your headphones' Bluetooth menu. This makes AirFly useful if you have multiple wireless headsets and want to use any of them with older devices.

What's the difference between AirFly and AirFly Pro?

The standard AirFly has a 3.5mm headphone jack and connects via USB for charging. AirFly Pro adds a USB-C port for connecting to newer devices and a small screen showing battery and connection status. Both pair with AirPods the same way and last about 16 hours per charge. Choose Pro if you use newer USB-C devices; choose standard if you mostly use headphone jacks or older USB-A devices.

Will AirFly work on an airplane if the seatback screen uses Bluetooth?

No. If the seatback screen has built-in Bluetooth, you can pair your AirPods directly to it without AirFly. AirFly is only needed when the device has a headphone jack or USB port but no Bluetooth, or when its Bluetooth doesn't work with your AirPods for some reason.

How do I know if AirFly is fully charged?

On the standard AirFly, the charging light turns off when the battery is full. On AirFly Pro, the screen shows a full battery icon. Both devices also show battery status in your phone's Bluetooth settings — open Settings > Bluetooth, find AirFly in the list, and the battery percentage appears next to its name.