This Free App Unlocks AirPods Features on Android Devices

[djphat2000]

We are talking about Bluetooth headphones. Bluetooth is universal. Apple designed them to have some of its features integrated in iOS Settings rather than having a separate app like the rest of the industry. This is on purpose. This makes for an artificial ecosystem lock.

Why would Apple make something that everyone else makes, and not do something special for its own products? It is exactly what differentiates them from the rest. It is exactly why people want it. And why they complain it doesn't do the same thing on other platforms. Still, you're not tied to Apple in anyway. You "want" it enough to complain about it though. What people should be asking for is similar functionality from other brands. Samsung could do this. Google could do this. Other handset makers can do this.

Now I personally don't find it necessary to dream up reasons why they would have to support Android or Windows. I don't choose to defend the trillion dollar company. The consumer is getting the short end of the stick.

The customer gets to choose between what Apple sells, and what the rest of them sell. They can still pick up the AirPods. Just know that it works best with Apple products. That's not insurmountable. If it's not going to do enough for you as just a pair of headphones. Then purchase something that will do a better job.

You want to switch to Android so you loose some of the features of your headphones. You used to have wired headphones that worked with any product and lasted a decade. AirPods are designed to be replaced.

Everything eventually will be replaced. Things break, wear out, get lost, etc. Technology moves beyond it, and so on. We don't live in a static environment. No matter how much people want the computer they just bought to be top notch for more than 6-12 months. Someone somewhere is going to make something better. And the wheel will keep on going forward with or without you. I'm not looking to switch to Android. I'm just stating that it's an option. If you don't like what Apple makes or their way of doing business, how their products work etc. Pick an Android device and as compatible a headset you're willing to pay for to go with it. You can still get wired headphones and a USB-C to Analog port dongle to work with your iPhone if you need it.

But I understand how it is, we love Apple and have money and love to consume. I have owned three pairs of AirPods, even upgraded despite persistent issues with previous gen. I have owned a fair bit more Apple stuff than most people on here. Now I changed my mind and switched to Fairphone. Easy transition, little compromise. I knew I would loose use the fancy features of my AirPods but I'm better off in other regards.

Sounds like a perfect example of getting out of the walled garden and surviving to me. Others say they are trapped. Like in a blackhole or something.

 

[djphat2000]

This. Buying and using Apple products shows loyalty and general satisfaction to the products. It doesn’t oblige the user to be loyal to the business practices of the company or agree with „lock in” or monopolistic practices.

And everyone has a choice to mix and match the technology they buy, insofar that it can be mixed and matched.

Despite the messaging on the packaging, you DON’T have to use Sony-branded AA batteries in a Sony product that needs AA batteries ( if Sony still brand AA batteries or release products that take AA batteries).

Treating a product/service provider as if it is a religion or football team that requires adherence and belief is a very odd idea. They just make stuff and provide services. Buy the stuff that suits your needs, don’t buy the stuff that doesn’t.

It doesn't necessarily show loyalty. It could be just they make the best product for you at that time. Or you like it, either way. Just when it's described as if some Apple henchmen rolled up on someone in the middle of the street. Beat them over the head and took the credit cards out of their wallet and purchased a full set of Apple products. Migrated all their data over to it from whatever other brand device they did have. Cracked the old device and said to the person "Your an Apple person now, and there is no going back!!!! Its ecosystem 4LiFE!!!!". People need to get over themselves. No one is locked in. Nothing Apple makes forces anyone into anything they didn't want to be in, in the first place. And if you ever want out, it's not that complicated to move to another platform.

 

[maxoakland]

Sounds like a perfect example of getting out of the walled garden and surviving to me. Others say they are trapped. Like in a blackhole or something.

You’re misrepresenting what people are saying

People are saying “Apple makes it hard to leave their walled garden because they artificially interfere with interoperability on products I’ve bought from them”

That’s true and we think that’s bad. And it’s weird to me that you don’t care, but maybe you will someday if you want to switch to a different phone and still use your Apple headphone’s features… or whatever

 

[pdaholic]

I've spent the last several months attempting to leave Apple after getting a Z Fold 7. Simple things like drive format compatibility really make it difficult, not to mention app compatibility/quality (it's amazing how the same app on Android is buggy or lacking features).

That said, I just tried connecting my airpods pro 2 to my Android, and they work great, including the volume adjustment feature. My phone kept blocking me from installing this app since it didn't come from the app store (I know I can force it to install). Really cool to see how well they work without any extra app.

 

[Happy_John]

You’re misrepresenting what people are saying

People are saying “Apple makes it hard to leave their walled garden because they artificially interfere with interoperability on products I’ve bought from them”

That’s true and we think that’s bad. And it’s weird to me that you don’t care, but maybe you will someday if you want to switch to a different phone and still use your Apple headphone’s features… or whatever

O think it’s very weird that this is how you interpreted what I wrote.

What I wrote in no way says that “lock in” is a good thing. I said that being able to mix and match tech is a good thing.

 

[djphat2000]

You’re not clear on the definition of lock in

Locked in means what it says. It's pretty clear all on its own. No one is locked in. You want to switch, you can.

The point is if you decide to buy AirPods and an iPhone but then want to switch to Android, Apple put extra effort into making the AirPods incompatible with Android

Then decide to buy some other brand of headphones. YOU wanted to switch. How is that any of Apple's fault? At one point you decided to buy X+Z. Then said, my next purchase will be Y. But, Z is not totally compatible with Y. So you should by W, or whatever is more compatible with Y. It says it on the box!!!

That’s lock in. It’s designed to make it hard, unpleasant, or expensive for users to move to a different ecosystem

I know plenty of people do the move from Android to Apple and from Apple to Android. Watches, phones, headsets. They all knew exactly what they were doing going in, and coming out and back again. They bought items all at the same time. No compatibility issues. NO, complaining or crying or moaning. Plan.. Maybe not purchase the AirPods to begin with. Since you know it's not going to work perfectly with Android. Hack it if you want to. Just don't expect Apple to help you out on that. They didn't want it to work with Android. They wanted it to work with iPhones and iPads, etc. It's their product, they get to decide how it should work.

 

[Happy_John]

You’re misrepresenting what people are saying

People are saying “Apple makes it hard to leave their walled garden because they artificially interfere with interoperability on products I’ve bought from them”

That’s true and we think that’s bad. And it’s weird to me that you don’t care, but maybe you will someday if you want to switch to a different phone and still use your Apple headphone’s features… or whatever

I’m not misrepresenting anyone. I’m simply giving my opinion, I’m not representing anyone other than myself.

Please actually read comments before replying to them.

 

[sunapple]

Why would Apple make something that everyone else makes, and not do something special for its own products? It is exactly what differentiates them from the rest. It is exactly why people want it. And why they complain it doesn't do the same thing on other platforms. Still, you're not tied to Apple in anyway. You "want" it enough to complain about it though. What people should be asking for is similar functionality from other brands. Samsung could do this. Google could do this. Other handset makers can do this.

The customer gets to choose between what Apple sells, and what the rest of them sell. They can still pick up the AirPods. Just know that it works best with Apple products. That's not insurmountable. If it's not going to do enough for you as just a pair of headphones. Then purchase something that will do a better job.

Everything eventually will be replaced. Things break, wear out, get lost, etc. Technology moves beyond it, and so on. We don't live in a static environment. No matter how much people want the computer they just bought to be top notch for more than 6-12 months. Someone somewhere is going to make something better. And the wheel will keep on going forward with or without you. I'm not looking to switch to Android. I'm just stating that it's an option. If you don't like what Apple makes or their way of doing business, how their products work etc. Pick an Android device and as compatible a headset you're willing to pay for to go with it. You can still get wired headphones and a USB-C to Analog port dongle to work with your iPhone if you need it.

Sounds like a perfect example of getting out of the walled garden and surviving to me. Others say they are trapped. Like in a blackhole or something.

The special part of a company that really matters to me would be the part where they prioritised their customers.

 

[djphat2000]

The special part of a company that really matters to me would be the part where they prioritised their customers.

If you're a customer of Apple. You are prioritized. Almost everything they make, works well with other things they make. For many, that vertical integration is exactly why they pick Apple products over their competitors. It's not something that will make everyone happy. Nothing will make everyone happy. By Apple doing it the way you want, would not make me happy. And I (potentially) would look elsewhere for a similar product.

 

[maxoakland]

I’m not misrepresenting anyone. I’m simply giving my opinion, I’m not representing anyone other than myself.

Please actually read comments before replying to them.

I did read your comment and you were misrepresenting what people were saying.

 

[sunapple]

If you're a customer of Apple. You are prioritized. Almost everything they make, works well with other things they make. For many, that vertical integration is exactly why they pick Apple products over their competitors. It's not something that will make everyone happy. Nothing will make everyone happy. By Apple doing it the way you want, would not make me happy. And I (potentially) would look elsewhere for a similar product.

You can have vertical integration cross-platform. Why oh why would this be bad. I have yet to hear an argument.

 

[djphat2000]

You can have vertical integration cross-platform.

You can, but at a cost. And Apple would rather not support at a cost another platform they don't control.

Why oh why would this be bad. I have yet to hear an argument.

As stated above. Why would Apple want to incur a cost to supporting not only their product, which is a known to them. AND an unknown? Something that can change or totally not work as expected across the many variants of Android.

Apple can make sure that the AirPods works exactly how they want it to on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS and WatchOS. They can do that on Android. At a cost (Time, effort). And have that break on any number of devices that don't adhere to whatever norm they built it to work on/for. It may seem trivial to you and others. But it's a PITA to support. And they would rather not do it. They could create an App that would do it too, I'm sure. But why? If you're on an Android device. More than likely, you're not buying AirPods. So the people to support on that platform may not be worth the effort either.

All of that effort, and say. Apple wants to add a feature or create some new way of doing something on the AirPods. Now they have to bring that same feature over to another platform and support it too. For far fewer users that would even have it. And it may not even be possible to do the way they intended.

It's not worth it.

 

[marte91]

..on the contrary, I'd like to be able to mix-and-match, and not be tied to any particular ecosystem. Less monoculture, please.

Ecosystems=monoculture.

This never been a secret, Apple alway been a closed ecosystem, if you want to mix and match, android is more adept for this.

 

[marte91]

What was stollen? Apple doesn't need to use proprietary "intellectual property" to have a seamless Bluetooth connection but they spent time and money blocking you and everyone else from using your property how you'd like. If they had it their way you wouldn't own your phone or laptop either. You'd just pay a subscription forever and have a license to use under their terms.

Quit standing up for anti Apple consumer practices and start to recognize these policies are not in your best interest. Or at least not unless you're on their payroll that is.

Last time i check, apple didn't put a gun on your head and made you buy their device,
They can use whatever proprietary "intellectual property", you do not have to get into the bandwagon.

 

[xaqt93]

In my personal opinion, doing this requires you to be slightly tech savvy. People that are this invested into Androids that are “Rooting” there devices or running something like OxygenOS, aren’t going to be the normal people using Androids and they are not going to be the people to go out and buy AirPods. It’s cool, I will admit. But the average person is not going to do this. So I don’t really see this as a, “Win”

Plus, the Android users that are familiar with “Rooting” and things of that nature, don’t usually buy Apple Products in the first place. Some do, but a lot don’t.

 

[marte91]

You can have vertical integration cross-platform. Why oh why would this be bad. I have yet to hear an argument.

There is no Argument about it, Apple is not interested in cross platform compatibility, that should be obvious to anyone, agree or disagree is their right, your right as a customer is not get the items.

 

[sunapple]

You can, but at a cost. And Apple would rather not support at a cost another platform they don't control.

As stated above. Why would Apple want to incur a cost to supporting not only their product, which is a known to them. AND an unknown? Something that can change or totally not work as expected across the many variants of Android.

Apple can make sure that the AirPods works exactly how they want it to on macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS and WatchOS. They can do that on Android. At a cost (Time, effort). And have that break on any number of devices that don't adhere to whatever norm they built it to work on/for. It may seem trivial to you and others. But it's a PITA to support. And they would rather not do it. They could create an App that would do it too, I'm sure. But why? If you're on an Android device. More than likely, you're not buying AirPods. So the people to support on that platform may not be worth the effort either.

All of that effort, and say. Apple wants to add a feature or create some new way of doing something on the AirPods. Now they have to bring that same feature over to another platform and support it too. For far fewer users that would even have it. And it may not even be possible to do the way they intended.

It's not worth it.

I understand your point of view, I've said it before. You are looking at this through the eyes of the Apple executives. Keep a low overhead, big profit margins, maintain a loyal customer base. Why would they support Android? Why would they spend the money? This has been Apple since 1984. I am aware, I know their history.

However it limits the freedom of their customers. That's not being addressed here. For the customer, it would not be a bad thing if AirPods worked just as well on Android. Even if newer features came later of are only supported by a smaller set of Android devices, it's not like every version of iPhone and iOS is always supported. At least there would be a different culture. Apple has the resources and doesn't need our pity when for example the EU or Japan forces them to open up. It's not a technical challenge that's too big for a company like Apple. To state otherwise would severely underestimate their engineering power and resources.

There is no Argument about it, Apple is not interested in cross platform compatibility, that should be obvious to anyone, agree or disagree is their right, your right as a customer is not get the items.

It has always been painfully obvious. And it will remain like this in most markets, depending on local regulation. The logic falls apart the moment something changes after you bought it.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

This never been a secret, Apple alway been a closed ecosystem, if you want to mix and match, android is more adept for this.

I used to think it was okay...I have since changed my mind, and I'm now I'm decidedly against the concepts of closed ecosystems. Who or why doesn't matter.

 

[djphat2000]

This app enables features that otherwise are blocked because they trick the airpod into thinking it is connected to an iPhone. The features are built into the airpods themselves, they don't need an iPhone to work, Apple blocks those features when airpods are not connected to an iPhone. It only works "better" on an iPhone because Apple prevents those functions. Again this app is not doing anything special but changing the bluetooth vendor ID to Apple vendor ID.

Changing VendorID in the DID profile to that of Apple​

Turns out, if you change the VendorID in DID Profile to that of Apple, you get access to several special features!

You can do this on Linux by editing the DeviceID in /etc/bluetooth/main.conf. Add this line to the config file DeviceID = bluetooth:004C:0000:0000. For android you can enable the act as Apple device setting in the app's settings.

When AirPods connect, they check the device's Bluetooth "Vendor ID." If it sees 004C (Apple), it unlocks the proprietary data channels. If it sees a generic ID (Android/Windows), it behaves like a "dumb" speaker. Locking all other features. Seriously that's it, they don't need to lock those features but they do because they want to create the illusion that airpods work best on iPhones which they don't.

This still has nothing to do with the fact that it was built FOR an Apple product, i.e. iPhone, iPad, tvOS, macOS. For hardware that Apple controls. Changing the ID of the Android device to match that of an Apple device may work well enough for now. But, maybe not for long. And what about anything else that uses that VendorID on an Android device? Are they going to keep working the same going forward?

And this still isn't locking anything down. It's literally identifying what device it is so it knows how to operate with it.

 

[I7guy]

I used to think it was okay...I have since changed my mind, and I'm now I'm decidedly against the concepts of closed ecosystems. Who or why doesn't matter.

I’m for vote with your $$$. Don’t like a product? Get one that works for you. Governments imo should stay not decide the requirements of for profit companies that produce consumer discretionary products.

 

[I7guy]

I understand your point of view, I've said it before. You are looking at this through the eyes of the Apple executives. Keep a low overhead, big profit margins, maintain a loyal customer base. Why would they support Android? Why would they spend the money? This has been Apple since 1984. I am aware, I know their history.

However it limits the freedom of their customers.

If freedom is limited buy the product that works for you.

That's not being addressed here. For the customer, it would not be a bad thing if AirPods worked just as well on Android.

It should be apples decision on cross platform compatibility and the consumers decision to purchase.

Even if newer features came later of are only supported by a smaller set of Android devices, it's not like every version of iPhone and iOS is always supported. At least there would be a different culture. Apple has the resources and doesn't need our pity when for example the EU or Japan forces them to open up.

Yep I have a problem with that. And there is always the “law of unintended side effects”.

It's not a technical challenge that's too big for a company like Apple. To state otherwise would severely underestimate their engineering power and resources.

Governments should stay out of dictating requirements to for profit consumer oriented companies that produce discretionary products. (Unless it’s safety or health related)

It has always been painfully obvious. And it will remain like this in most markets, depending on local regulation. The logic falls apart the moment something changes after you bought it.

 

[djphat2000]

I understand your point of view, I've said it before. You are looking at this through the eyes of the Apple executives. Keep a low overhead, big profit margins, maintain a loyal customer base. Why would they support Android? Why would they spend the money? This has been Apple since 1984. I am aware, I know their history.

This is just straight logic. I'm viewing it as if I was Apple. Just as I would view it if I was Google, or if I was Micro$oft. If you are running a company. You have to run your company. Not someone else's. It wouldn't make any sense to depend upon another company for your companies success. You should depend upon yourself as much as possible.

For a long time Microsoft just made the OS. Google was primarily a search engine. Apple always made the OS and the computer. They all branched out into the tech landscape with new products and software offerings. And when it made sense to offer something any one of them made. To work with any other of their competitors. They did. And if it didn't make sense (cents or dollars). They don't.

However it limits the freedom of their customers. That's not being addressed here. For the customer, it would not be a bad thing if AirPods worked just as well on Android. Even if newer features came later of are only supported by a smaller set of Android devices, it's not like every version of iPhone and iOS is always supported. At least there would be a different culture. Apple has the resources and doesn't need our pity when for example the EU or Japan forces them to open up. It's not a technical challenge that's too big for a company like Apple. To state otherwise would severely underestimate their engineering power and resources.

None of us are able to determine what that challenge would be to Apple to support third party makers in this space. And since every expense has to be valued against a return on investment. You nor I nor the EU can say "just do it because you can". And this would have to be continuous support. Not just a one off. Not only because it would be advertised as such on the box. But, because people like Linus would immediately go from "Thanks Apple", to "C'mon Apple, this is BS! Fix my old AirPods on this latest version of Android and Samsung S33ue.2 Ultra Galaxy already!! It's been seconds since it's been out!!". It's just a VendorID flip!!!! Meanwhile the whole way Bluetooth works on Android changes or breaks something basic that used to work just fine on older models. Or the OS on Samsungs phones breaks compatibility in a way not expected. And on and on. Just buy a pair of Beats.

Our freedoms as a consumer is in being able to purchase what is available as it is. You're not owed anything beyond what was promised by the vendor/company that sold you a product. Expecting it to just work as they advertised it to work on something they made. To something they did not, is not a reasonable expectation. It maybe something you and others want. But, it isn't something that should be expected. They didn't sell it to you with that ability. If you want to hack it to work, go for it. But that's an on the consumer thing. Not a "I spend $250 on these pods and it should work on things other than what was listed on the manual!" thing.

It has always been painfully obvious. And it will remain like this in most markets, depending on local regulation. The logic falls apart the moment something changes after you bought it.

Which is why Apple likes to be vertically integrated. When something changes. They can fix it across the lineup. We would expect there to not be a break but, when it happens due to changes. They can address it faster than anyone else.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I’m for vote with your $$$. Don’t like a product? Get one that works for you. Governments imo should stay not decide the requirements of for profit companies that produce consumer discretionary products.

I don't disagree that I should vote with my wallet. When it comes time to upgrade, perhaps I will, or maybe I won't.. Don't know yet and am still pretty conflicted, as I generally like their products. It's a real hassle when you live in a mixed Android/iPhone household.

I just don't like Apple's current direction with regards to software and policy. We'll see!

 

[turbineseaplane]

I’m for vote with your $$$. Don’t like a product? Get one that works for you. Governments imo should stay not decide the requirements of for profit companies that produce consumer discretionary products.

I agree with this.
It doesn't help with existing purchases however.

A big flaw in the "vote with your wallet" situation is that we all have existing products with long lives and it's unreasonable to expect folks to get rid of everything and buy new stuff in a different ecosystem.

Part of why the EU has come after some of these situations is that exact point (switching costs).

 

[I7guy]

I agree with this.
It doesn't help with existing purchases however.

A big flaw in the "vote with your wallet" situation is that we all have existing products with long lives and it's unreasonable to expect folks to get rid of everything and buy new stuff in a different ecosystem.

Part of why the EU has come after some of these situations is that exact point (switching costs).

What the eu has done does not lower switching costs. You still have to sell your phone, buy a new phone.

My point about government dictating requirements stands. None of that makes it better for the consumer. Devs like epic win.