Apple’s AirPods are perhaps the most popular headphones on the planet, with the AirPods offering great battery life, portability, simple charging, easy connectivity, and unparalleled Bluetooth range.
AirPods are Apple’s completely wire-free headphones, which loaded with cool features that allow you to do everything from listening to music to answering a phone call. But have you ever wondered what you can do with two pairs?
If you and a friend both own a pair, you can connect them to a single device, like your iPhone or iPad, and jam to the same playlist, watch the same in-flight movie or tune in to the same video chat.
Whether you want to watch the same TV show on the Apple TV app or Netflix, or you want to listen to the same playlist through Apple Music or Spotify, here’s how to connect two AirPods to the same iPhone or iPad and share the audio.
Devices with AirPods compatibility
Like other wireless headphones, your AirPods use Bluetooth technology to connect to your phone and another home tech, including laptops, tablets, wearables, and even smart TVs. This feature also lets you share audio with other AirPods and even some Beats by Dr. Dre headphones. But in order to pair them correctly, your devices need to be compatible and running the latest software. Compatible models include:
- iPhone 8 or later
- iPad Pro 12.9 inch (2nd generation) or later
- iPad Pro 11 inch
- iPad Pro (10.5 inches)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad (5th generation) or later
- iPod touch (7th generation)
- Apple TV 4K
How do I connect two sets of headphones that aren’t AirPods?
Newer Samsung phones have a similar sharing feature called Dual Audio that lets you listen to a single device with two Bluetooth headsets or speakers. While you can connect a pair of AirPods to an Android device, you’ll have a more seamless experience using them with the one listed above.
How to connect the two AirPods to one phone
Once you’ve checked the compatibility of your wireless headphones, you can quickly pair them with an iPhone. Here are the simple steps:
- Connect the first pair of AirPods to your iPhone. If this is your first time setting them up, keep your AirPods inside the case and open it near the device. Then follow the instructions onscreen.
- Open Control Center on your iPhone by swiping down from the top right corner of the Home Screen. Then tap the AirPlay icon > Share Audio.
- Now you’re ready to connect the second pair of AirPods. Hold the case near your iPhone and open the lid. If you have AirPods Max headphones, simply hold them close to the device.
- When your second pair of AirPods appear on the screen, tap Share Audio.
How to connect two AirPods to one iPad
Once you’ve checked the compatibility of your wireless headphones, you can quickly pair them with an iPad. Here’s how:
- Connect the first pair of AirPods to your iPad. If this is your first time setting them up, keep your AirPods inside the case and open it near the device. Then follow the instructions onscreen.
- Open Control Center on your iPad by swiping down from the top right corner of the Home Screen. Then tap the AirPlay® icon > Share Audio.
- To connect the second pair of Airpods, hold the case near your iPad and open the lid. If you have AirPods Max® headphones, simply hold them close to the device.
- When your second pair of AirPods appear on the screen, tap Share Audio.
How to adjust audio sharing on an iPhone or iPad
Now that both AirPods are connected, you can easily press play, pause, or stop on the Lock Screen of your device or in the Control Center. Can’t agree on the volume? You can turn it up or down for each pair of AirPods separately using the volume sliders, or each listener can tweak it however they like using their headphone controls.
How to stop sharing AirPods
Ready to get back to listening on your own? When it’s time to stop sharing, you can disconnect either set of AirPods with just a tap.
- Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top right corner of the Home Screen.
- Tap the AirPlay icon, then tap the checkmark next to a pair of headphones to stop sharing with them.
That’s it! Now we have both pairs of AirPods connected to our single iOS device. From the AirPlay menu, both pairs of AirPods should be visible and will hear the same audio coming through.
