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How to connect AirPods to a Samsung phone or TV
Most Apple users prefer to stick exclusively with Apple products, and most Samsung devotees with Samsung devices. However, if you don’t mind crossing the divide, this article shows how to connect AirPods to Samsung phones and TVs.
QUICK ANSWER
You can connect AirPods to your Samsung device by opening the AirPods case without removing the buds and pressing the white button on the case (press and hold for AirPods Max) to put them in pairing mode.
Then, on your Samsung TV, go to Settings > Sound Output > Bluetooth Speaker List, select your AirPods, and click Pair and connect.
For Samsung phones, turn on Bluetooth in Settings > Connections > Bluetooth, select the AirPods, and tap Pair on the window that pops up.
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How to connect AirPods to a Samsung TV
Although AirPods work best with Apple TVs, the connection with a Samsung TV is seamless enough to provide a great experience. And similar to connecting Galaxy Buds with an iPhone or iPad, pairing your AirPods with a Samsung TV is pretty straightforward.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Press the Settings button on your Samsung TV remote. This opens the general settings menu.
- Select Sound.
- Navigate to Sound Output.
- Select Bluetooth Speaker List. This causes the TV to start a search for nearby Bluetooth devices.
- Open your AirPods case without taking out the earbuds. Hold the AirPods case close to your TV and press the small button on the back of the case. If you have the AirPods Max, hold down the noise control button to enable pairing mode.
- Wait for the AirPods to appear.
- Select them and choose Pair and connect.
Although your TV’s Bluetooth settings may differ slightly depending on the model, the pairing process is similar for all Samsung TVs.
How to connect AirPods to a Samsung phone
Although your AirPods won’t connect automatically to your Samsung phone as they would an iPhone, you can pair the two via Bluetooth. The process is similar to pairing AirPods with any Android phone, although the specifics may differ.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Launch the Settings app on your Samsung phone.
- Tap Connections.
- Select Bluetooth and flip the toggle to turn it on.
- Open your AirPods case without taking out the buds.
- Hold the case close to your phone and press the white button on the back to put it in pairing mode. If you have the AirPods Max, press and hold the button.
- Select the AirPods from the Available devices section and tap Pair.
You now know how to connect AirPods to Samsung phones and TVs. Note that you’ll be missing out on some key AirPods functionalities, like Siri, Auto EQ, the Find My function, customizable controls, battery life check, ear tip fit test, automatic ear detection, and more.
Features like ANC and transparency mode, command gestures, and single AirPod listening should still work normally with your Samsung phone or TV.