As an owner of Apple’s AirPods, I have often wondered whether I can use them separately or not. After much research and experimentation, I’m excited to share what I have learned about this topic and a few other solutions that I discovered along the way.
It is not possible to have one AirPod connected to one device while the other AirPod is connected to a different device at the same time. However, you can share AirPods with another person and both listen to the same audio from the same device.
| Tips for Apple Music |
|---|
| – Check for poor internet connection or system bugs |
| – Check for correct song order for downloaded songs |
| – Lossless audio support may not be complete |
| – Possible time-out issues while streaming |
| – Verify device speaker functionality with other apps |
| – Ensure all songs are checked in Music Preferences |
| – Disconnect or use Airplane Mode to fix CarPlay issues |
Table of Contents
Can I use AirPods separately?
It is not possible to have one AirPod connected to one device and the other AirPod connected to a different device.
If you want to be able to have one AirPod connected to one device and the other connected to a different device, it would be necessary for you to have two different sets of AirPods.
If both of the devices are Apple devices such as iPad, iPhone, or Mac, it will be possible for you to very quickly switch between each of them but you will not be able to listen to multiple of them concurrently.
When you connect your AirPods to a new device, it unpairs from the previously connected device.
You can take steps to make pairing with different devices easier, but they will still only work with one of those devices at a time.
There are some other manufacturers who produce Bluetooth headphones that can connect to multiple devices at the same time, but the feature is an unnecessary capability for most users.
Read more: What happens if you don’t put AirPods in the case?
Can you share AirPods with another person?
If you want to be able to share your AirPods with a friend, where one of you is using one AirPod and the other is using the other AirPod, that will be possible.
There is also nothing special that you have to do. You can just share them right away.
Read more: Do AirPods stay in while working out?
Can you split AirPods between two devices?
It is possible to have AirPods connected to multiple devices at the same time. However, you can only receive audio from one device at a time.
It is not possible to have audio coming from one device while different audio is also coming from the same device. What will happen is only the audio from one device will actually play in your AirPods.
Why are my AirPods connecting separately?
If your AirPods are connecting separately, it would be likely that they have a problem with their connection.
It would help to try putting them in the case and resetting them by putting them in the case, waiting for 30 seconds, forgetting them from your devices then to reconnect them.
If your AirPods are connecting at different times, the best option would be to try reconnecting the AirPods to the device.
To do so, forget your airpods on your device, put your AirPods in the case then hold the pairing button and reconnect them to the phone.
Can left and right AirPods connect to different devices?
It is not possible to connect the left and right AirPods to different devices.
If you want to do that, the only possible way would be to have 2 different sets of AirPods then to use them while each of them is connected to a different device.
Why do my AirPods only connect to one device?
AirPods are meant to play audio from only one device at a time. If your AirPods are playing audio from just one device, that would be normal.
However, if you can only connect your AirPods to one device, it would help to try forgetting them from the devices you want to use them with, then to pair them again to those devices.
To pair AirPods, you put them in the case then open the lid and hold the button on the case.
Pros
- Can share with another person and both listen to the same audio from the same device.
- Can quickly switch between multiple Apple devices such as iPad, iPhone, or Mac.
- No need for special steps for pairing with different devices.
Cons
- Not possible to have one AirPod connected to one device while the other AirPod is connected to a different device.
- Can only receive audio from one device at a time.
- Need two different sets of AirPods to have one AirPod connected to one device and the other connected to a different device.
