Yes, AirPods work with Samsung devices through Bluetooth
AirPods are not locked to iPhones. Any AirPods model — AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirPods (2nd generation or later) — will connect to a Samsung phone or tablet using standard Bluetooth, the wireless standard that lets devices talk to each other over short distances. The connection works the same way AirPods connect to an iPad or Mac: you turn on Bluetooth on your Samsung device, put the AirPods in pairing mode, and they show up in your list of available devices.
What you lose is the seamless handoff between devices. If you own both an iPhone and a Samsung phone, your AirPods will not automatically switch from one to the other the way they do between Apple devices. You will need to manually disconnect from one phone and reconnect to the other each time you switch. Some features also work differently or not at all on Samsung — spatial audio, automatic ear detection, and the ability to control volume or skip tracks from the stem all depend on Apple's software and will not function on Android.
Key Takeaways
- AirPods connect to Samsung phones and tablets through Bluetooth, the same way they connect to any non-Apple device.
- You will not get automatic device switching, spatial audio, or stem controls on Samsung — these features require Apple's software.
- The pairing process takes about two minutes: turn on Bluetooth, open the AirPods case, hold the setup button until the light flashes white, then select them from your Samsung's Bluetooth list.
- Once paired, AirPods will reconnect to your Samsung device automatically when Bluetooth is on, just as they do with Apple devices.
How to pair AirPods with a Samsung device
The pairing process is straightforward. Open the AirPods case (but do not remove the AirPods yet) and hold the small button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the light inside the case flashes white. This puts the AirPods in pairing mode, meaning they are broadcasting a signal that Samsung devices can detect.
On your Samsung phone or tablet, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on if it is not already on. Your AirPods should appear in the list of available devices — they will show up as "AirPods" or "AirPods Pro" depending on the model. Tap the name to connect. Once paired, your Samsung device will remember them, and they will reconnect automatically whenever you turn on Bluetooth and have the AirPods nearby.
What features work and what do not
Basic audio playback works perfectly on Samsung: you can listen to music, take calls, and use voice commands through Google Assistant. Volume and play controls work through the AirPods themselves — double-tap to play or pause, or use voice commands. Battery status will show in your Samsung's Bluetooth settings so you can see how much charge is left.
Features that do not work on Samsung include spatial audio (the 3D sound effect that tracks your head movement), automatic ear detection (which pauses music when you remove an AirPod), and the touch controls on the stem of AirPods Pro or AirPods Max (swipe to change volume, pinch to skip tracks). These are all tied to Apple's operating system. On Samsung, you can still use voice commands to control playback, and you can adjust volume through your phone's volume buttons.
Reconnecting AirPods to Samsung after using them with Apple devices
If you have been using your AirPods with an iPhone or iPad, they will try to reconnect to those devices automatically when they are nearby. To make them connect to your Samsung instead, you need to break that automatic connection first. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, find your AirPods in the list, tap the information icon next to them, and select "Forget This Device."
Once you have forgotten them on Apple devices, put the AirPods back in pairing mode (hold the button on the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes white) and pair them with your Samsung as described above. If you switch back to Apple devices later, you can repeat this process in reverse — forget them on Samsung, then pair them with your iPhone or iPad again.
Why AirPods work with Samsung even though they are made by Apple
Bluetooth is an open standard, meaning any company can build devices that use it. Apple does not own Bluetooth and cannot prevent AirPods from connecting to non-Apple devices. What Apple does control is the software features that make the experience seamless on iPhones and iPads — the automatic switching, the spatial audio, the visual indicators in Control Center. Those features are built into iOS and iPadOS, not into the AirPods themselves.
Samsung devices use Android, which does not include Apple's proprietary features. So when you connect AirPods to a Samsung phone, you get the core functionality — wireless audio — but not the extras that Apple built specifically for its own ecosystem. This is why AirPods also work with Windows laptops, Android tablets, and even some smart speakers, though the experience varies depending on what software each device runs.
Alternatives if you want full feature support on Samsung
If you use Samsung devices exclusively and want wireless earbuds with all the bells and whistles, Samsung makes its own options: Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds2 Pro, and Galaxy Buds FE. These are designed to work with Samsung phones and tablets the way AirPods work with iPhones — they offer automatic device switching between Samsung devices, spatial audio, touch controls, and integration with Samsung's software. They also cost less than AirPods Pro in most cases.
If you already own AirPods and use them with both Apple and Samsung devices, they will work fine on Samsung for everyday listening. You are just trading some convenience features for the ability to use the same earbuds across your whole device collection. That trade-off makes sense for many people, especially if you do not use spatial audio or automatic switching often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to do anything special to use AirPods with Samsung?
No. Turn on Bluetooth on your Samsung device, put the AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the case, and select them from the Bluetooth list. After that, they work like any other Bluetooth headphones.
Will my AirPods automatically switch from my iPhone to my Samsung phone?
No. Automatic switching only works between Apple devices. You will need to manually disconnect from your iPhone's Bluetooth settings and reconnect to your Samsung each time you switch phones.
Can I use Siri on AirPods when they are connected to Samsung?
No. Siri is Apple's voice assistant and only works on Apple devices. On Samsung, you can use Google Assistant by saying "Hey Google" or holding down the AirPod stem, depending on your model.
What if my AirPods keep disconnecting from my Samsung phone?
Try forgetting the AirPods from your Samsung's Bluetooth settings and pairing them again. If they still disconnect, check that your Samsung's Bluetooth is not set to turn off automatically after a period of inactivity — this setting is usually in Battery settings or Developer options.
Can I use AirPods Max with a Samsung tablet?
Yes. AirPods Max connect to Samsung tablets the same way they connect to phones — through Bluetooth. You will have the same feature limitations as with a phone, but audio quality and basic controls work normally.