Using AirPods with Multiple Devices

[tardman91]

How are the AirPods with multiple devices? I'd like to use them with my iPhone 8+, iPad mini, MacBook Air, and Apple Watch. Do they seamlessly switch between devices? I have some beats bluetooth earbuds, and they're not the easiest to pair/unpair, but the AirPods look better and easier to use. Do they "just work" like they're supposed to?

 

[Mabus51]

They will auto connect to the last device they were used on. When switching devices, you'll have to connect them to that device from the Bluetooth menu. Of course they will have to be paired to every device you want to use them on.

 

[TMRJIJ]

As long as all these devices are connected to the same iCloud account, you should be able to switch between them easily via the Bluetooth settings, Control Center, and the Audio Devices button from the Music app.

 

[VictorTango777]

I have Airpods and MBP, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Yes, my iCloud devices automatically see the Airpods. But after putting an Airpod in your ear, how long should it take before hearing the "bong" sound to indicate that it is activated? And how long should it take when switching the Airpods between devices? Does switching between devices require an internet connection?

 

[estabya]

I have Airpods and MBP, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Yes, my iCloud devices automatically see the Airpods. But how long should it take when switching the Airpods between devices? Does switching between devices require an internet connection?

I use my AirPods with my iPhone, iPad, MacBook, and 3 Apple TV's (2x ATV4, 1x ATV 4K).

In my experience they can take anywhere from 2 to 15 seconds when switching between devices. The Apple TV's seem to take longer. I'm not sure whether an internet connection is required.

 

[VictorTango777]

Just because your iClloud devices show the Airpods, I wonder if they really are "paired" in the traditional Bluetooth sense. Or is Apple tweaking the user interface like when you turn off Bluetooth in the iOS Control Center, it's not really completely "off". So maybe when you switch Airpods between devices, that is when the device actually "pairs" with the Airpods, and it has to do this every time you switch devices which would explain the apparent latency when switching devices?

For comparison, I had a Jabra Sport Bluetooth headset which could be paired with 2 devices at the same time. Once the Jabra was paired, switching between devices felt much faster compared to the Airpods.

 

[robertpetry]

Agreed VictorTango

My experience is with a Bose QC30 multipoint connection. It is much easier than my AirPods. When I turn them on they announce connections to the two most recent devices and then they play from whichever source I start. If I want to switch I just have to hit the power button once and they switch. Very easy.

We really need a better Bluetooth device control widget from the control panel so that we don’t have to go into settings as frequently. Sometimes it works from the music/now playing widget. But I would like quick access to the full Bluetooth device list.