Are Apple EarPods not compatible with Android?
Apple’s EarPods are a popular style of earbuds that come included with iPhones and other Apple devices. They feature a simple in-ear design with a wired remote and microphone built into the headphone cord. Android phones, made by companies like Samsung, LG, Google, and others, use the Android operating system. While Apple EarPods are designed to work seamlessly with Apple devices, their compatibility with Android phones is more limited.
This article will explore the nuances around using Apple EarPods with Android phones. We’ll look at the physical connectivity, audio playback, microphone performance, remote controls, and other facets of compatibility.
EarPod Design
The design of Apple’s EarPods is optimized for comfort and audio quality. According to Apple, the shape of the EarPods was defined by “the geometry of the ear” to rest comfortably in the ear canal and direct sound right into the ear (1). The EarPods have an in-ear type design with smooth, tapered silicone tips that sit just outside the ear canal. This aims to create a comfortable and secure fit while also allowing ambient noise in (2).
The speaker diaphragm in the EarPods is designed to optimize sound quality. It is made from a rigid polymer that allows for deep, rich bass and accurate mids and highs. The speaker is also ported to enhance the bass response (1). Additionally, the EarPods have integrated 3.5 mm audio plugs that allow for compatibility with a wide range of devices.
Overall, the EarPod’s sleek and ergonomic design provides comfort, audio quality, and broad device compatibility in a compact form factor.
Sources:
(1) https://www.edn.com/the-apple-earpods-inside-and-out/
(2) https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/earpods
Android Headphone Jack
The standard headphone jack used by most Android phones is a 3.5mm TRRS jack. This stands for Tip, Ring 1, Ring 2, Ring 3, Sleeve. The four metal sections each serve a different purpose:
- Tip – Left audio channel
- Ring 1 – Right audio channel
- Ring 2 – Ground
- Ring 3 – Microphone
- Sleeve – Ground
The Android platform supports both a basic 3 conductor (TRS) headset as well as a 4 conductor (TRRS) headset with an integrated microphone (according to the official Android headset specification). Most modern smartphones and their bundled earphones use the 4 conductor design.
Some key specifications of the 3.5mm headphone jack on Android devices include:
- Output impedance: < 16 ohms
- Output voltage: >= 0.989 Vrms
- Total harmonic distortion + noise: < 1%
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Basic Compatibility
The most basic form of compatibility comes down to the physical headphone jack connection. Apple EarPods utilize a standard 3.5mm audio jack, the same type of connector found on most Android smartphones and tablets (Apple Support). This means you can physically plug Apple EarPods into the headphone jack on an Android device just like you would with any other pair of wired headphones.
So in terms of basic physical compatibility, there is no issue using Apple EarPods with Android devices. The 3.5mm connector allows you to plug Apple EarPods into the headphone jack on any Android smartphone or tablet. However, full functionality and compatibility depends on additional factors beyond just the physical connector.
Audio Playback
Apple EarPods are compatible for audio playback with Android devices, as EarPods utilize the standard 3.5mm headphone jack present on most Android phones. The EarPods will play audio just like any other wired headphones plugged into an Android device’s headphone jack.
In terms of audio signal compatibility, the EarPods and Android both support playback of standard analog audio signals through the 3.5mm jack. So there are no issues with incompatible audio signals between the EarPods and Android devices.
One caveat is that Apple EarPods do not support playback of lossless and hi-res audio formats like LDAC that some Android devices are capable of. The EarPods are limited to standard audio quality over the analog headphone jack connection. But for most users streaming music, the audio quality will be very similar between using EarPods on an iPhone versus Android phone.
According to reviews, EarPods provide very good sound quality on Android phones that is comparable to iPhone. The audio reproduction and frequency response are quite consistent across devices (“Apple EarPods USB-C review”, https://www.soundguys.com/apple-earpods-usb-c-review-105861/). So EarPod audio playback works seamlessly with Android, minus some high-end audio features exclusive to Apple or Android ecosystems.
Volume Controls
The volume up and down buttons on Apple EarPods and other Apple headphones may not work properly when used with Android devices. This is because Apple uses a different wiring standard for the volume controls than many Android manufacturers [1].
Specifically, Apple places the volume up and down controls on the third ring of the 3.5mm headphone jack. But some Android devices, like Samsung Galaxy phones, expect the volume controls on the second ring instead [2]. This mismatch in wiring standards can make the volume buttons on Apple headphones either partially or completely non-functional when used with certain Android devices.
There are a few possible workarounds, like using an adapter that changes the pin order [3]. But in general, the volume up/down buttons on Apple EarPods and headphones may not work consistently across all Android devices due to this difference in wiring standards.
Microphone Performance
One of the main compatibility issues with using Apple EarPods on Android devices is with the microphone performance. The EarPods have an integrated microphone and remote control built specifically for iOS devices. As a result, the microphone often does not work properly when connected to an Android smartphone.
The microphone on the EarPods relies on Apple’s proprietary signaling to function. Most Android devices do not support this signaling, which causes the mic to either not work at all or have very poor sound quality. There are some reports of the mic working intermittently or only in certain apps on some Android phones, but this functionality is not consistent (Source 1).
In most cases, when using Apple EarPods with an Android device, the phone will default to using its built-in microphone rather than routing audio through the EarPods mic. This means you lose the hands-free calling and voice assistant features that rely on the mic in the earbuds. There are some workaround solutions, like apps that can re-route the mic input, but they do not work reliably across all devices (Source 2).
Overall, microphone support is one of the biggest issues to be aware of when using Apple EarPods with Android. You will likely lose microphone functionality, which limits some of the key features of the earbuds.
Remote Control
The Apple EarPods remote located on the headphone cable allows you to control playback of music and answer calls by clicking or holding down a button. Unfortunately, the remote control is very likely to not work at all when using Apple EarPods with an Android device.
The play/pause and skip track buttons rely on Apple’s proprietary remote protocol, which Android does not support. This means pressing those buttons will have no effect when used with an Android phone or tablet (Source 1). The remote was designed specifically for controlling playback on Apple devices only.
Some limited functionality like answering calls or launching Google Assistant may work if your Android device supports headset button control. But core music playback functions of play/pause and skip track will not be possible when using Apple EarPods with Android.
Noise Cancellation
While the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max do feature active noise cancellation (ANC) technology, this functionality has limited compatibility when paired with Android devices. According to sources, the AirPods can only toggle noise cancellation directly on the earbuds themselves by pressing and holding the stem or via on-ear controls. You cannot enable or disable ANC from your Android device or a companion app (1).
This means any noise cancellation modes like transparency/ambient sound are also not controllable from your Android. So you lose out on the conveniences of managing ANC from your phone that iPhone users enjoy. The noise cancellation still works to block ambient sound when activated, but it requires manual operation on the AirPods itself each time (2).
Overall, the active noise cancellation capabilities are present in the AirPods Pro and Max, but in a more limited capacity without comprehensive control through an Android device. You only get manual noise blocking that has to be turned on/off directly on the earbuds.
Conclusion
While Apple’s EarPods are physically compatible with most Android devices, there are some limitations in functionality to be aware of. On a basic level, the EarPods will plug into the headphone jack and play audio from your Android smartphone or tablet. However, you may experience inconsistent volume control, reduced microphone quality for phone calls, and lack of remote control support.
If you want full compatibility, including access to volume, microphone, and playback controls, look for Android-specific wired headphones. There are many affordable options that are designed to integrate seamlessly with your device’s native features. You can also consider wireless Bluetooth headphones for maximum compatibility across any smartphone OS. Just keep in mind you’ll need to charge them routinely.
In summary, Apple’s EarPods can physically connect to and play audio on your Android device, but you’ll miss out on some thoughtful integration features. For the best experience, opt for headphones built with your OS in mind.