Your Go-to Guide to Apple’s AirPods

If you already own AirPods or you just purchased one, this guide will walk you through things you should know as an AirPod user. 

What are AirPods?

AirPods first came on the scene in 2016 and are still pretty popular. It is easy to see why – great battery life, wireless benefits, good Bluetooth range, and sound quality. 

The tech in AirPods comes down to a unique chip called W1 or H1. It also has accelerometers, optical sensors, and beamforming microphones. 

They come with a particular case that allows users to charge and store AirPods to avoid them getting lost. 

Is there more than one version of the AirPods?

Yes. AirPods got a new lease on life in 2019, so there are two versions – the original and the second-generation and they look the same, so it can be pretty confusing. 

The difference is in the chip. Instead of using a W1 chip, second-generation AirPods use an H1 chip which allows you to switch devices and connect to calls faster than before.

You also have AirPods Pro and Max out there, which have significant advantages over both these versions we just discussed.

How to rename your AirPods

You can quickly learn how to rename airpods by following these steps:

1. Place your AirPods in your ears and open the case
2. Go to the iOS device’s Bluetooth settings
3. Tap the “i” next to your AirPods
4. Now you can easily change the name

Setting up your AirPods for the first time

You can use your iPhone to set up your AirPods. You will need to ensure your iPhone is up to date. Then follow this:

1. Open the AirPods case and place the AirPods inside it
2. Keep it close to your iPhone
3. You will see a setup animation
4. Click on ‘Connect’
5. Follow the on-screen instructions
6. Hit ‘Done’

You can also set up AirPods with a non-Apple device. You have to connect it the way you usually would a Bluetooth device. 

Why does audio pause or stop when I take out my AirPods?

AirPods have been designed in a way to conserve battery life. If you take out an AirPod from one ear, you will notice that the audio has paused. If you take both AirPods out, the audio stops playing. 

How can I switch from one device to the other?

If you are connected to multiple devices at the same time, playing a new sound on one will automatically pause the other. This is the automatic switching feature. You can choose to leave it on or turn it off if it becomes bothersome. For example, if you are gaming on a MacBook and would like to use AirPods for that instead of having them connected to your iPhone.

You can also switch to another device manually by choosing the output on your device as your AirPods. 

How to control audio with your AirPods Pro

AirPods Pro offers more control when it comes to playing audio. To play or pause, you can hold down the force sensor. 

Double-clicking on the force sensor will move your audio forward, and you can triple press to go back. 

Turning up or down the volume is easy with Siri. You just have to say “Hey Siri” followed by the command. You can also change the device’s volume settings to control the volume. 

You can mute background sounds with the Active Noise Cancellation mode and switch between that and the Transparency mode when you want to hear ambient sounds.

All of these advanced features make it a great gift for tech enthusiasts.

How to control audio with first and second-generation AirPods

It is nearly the same, but there is no force sensor on the stem. Tap your AirPods twice to skip a song and thrice to go back to the previous music. 

Siri works with AirPods to help you control the audio volume.  

Ways in which you can use Siri with AirPods 

1. Ask Siri questions via your AirPods
2. Make calls to people on your contact list
3. Have Siri control your audio
4. Use Siri requests like ‘Play my Favorites playlist,’ ‘Turn up the volume’ or ‘How do I get home from here’ or even ‘How is the battery on my AirPods.’

Siri can handle quite a few such requests, so be sure to check them all out. 

Receive calls and messages through AirPods

If you have an AirPod in, Siri will let you know when someone is ringing, and you can answer right away. The same goes for messages. You can have Siri read out your messages. 

How to charge your AirPods and the case

Charging your AirPods is easy. You have to place them back in the case, and it starts charging. To charge the case, you need the Apple Lightning to USB cable, and you’re all set. 

All in all

If you are considering buying AirPods, you should know that they demand a premium price just like with other Apple devices. You can consider wireless earbuds alternatives that work just as well as AirPods that will not burn a hole in your pocket.

But if you can get the AirPods, then you can truly have great wireless earphones that work seamlessly with Apple devices. In fact, most people prefer AirPods to work out too. You only have to be careful about always keeping the case on you since keeping them in your bag can expose them to getting scratches which can impact your experience.