Apple AirPods have always supported Bluetooth, so you can pair them with any phone, tablet, or computer you like for basic audio listening — whether it’s made by Apple or not. However, as of now, it is necessary to use an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to get the full set of features, including head gestures and everything else on these earbuds.
This has now changed with the advent of librepodsAn app that actually launched a few years ago but is available now Google Play Store. Previously, to get LibrePods to work, you had to jailbreak your Android device and sideload it. This is no longer necessary—you can install it just like any regular Android app.
according to According to developer Kavish Dewar, Google recently fixed an issue with the Bluetooth stack in Android, and rolled it out with Android 16 QPR3. This means jailbreak is no longer required, although you do need a phone with the Android 16 QPR3 update installed. At the moment, this means a Google Pixel, OnePlus, Oppo or Realme device. As the Android update arrives for other phones, including Samsung Galaxy handsets, they will be able to use the LibrePods as well.
AirPods connect via Bluetooth on Android.
Credit: Lifehacker
Among the AirPods features enabled by the LibrePods on Android, we find head gestures (so you can accept or reject a call by shaking or shaking your head), as well as noise control mode (controlling how much external sound leaks in), ear detection, more accurate battery level reporting, and conversational awareness (where AirPods audio is reduced if you’re talking to someone). Note that some of those features, including head gestures and conversational awareness, require a one-time purchase of $4.99 inside the app. You can see the differences between the free and paid versions of the app from the main Settings screen – tap the cog icon in the top right corner of the app’s front page to find it.
How to Customize Settings in LibrePods
The app should work with all AirPods models, but first you’ll need to connect your earbuds to Bluetooth. For example, to do this on a Pixel phone, go to Settings, then tap Connected devices > Pair new device. You also need to press the pairing button on the AirPods case or double-tap the case, depends on AirPods near you. Once you’ve linked your AirPods to your Android phone via Bluetooth, the LibrePods should be able to see them, but the earbuds options will only appear when the AirPods are actively connected – so you may have to take them out of the case.
What do you think so far?
Finding your way around the app is straightforward. From the main screen itself you can switch between listening modes, if they’re available on your AirPods: transparency (letting outside noise in), active noise cancellation (blocking out external noise), and adaptive (An automatic balance between the other two modes). You’re able to customize the action taken with the press and hold action on the left or right AirPod – you can even launch Gemini if you want – and there’s also the option to customize which AirPod microphone is used by default.
Choosing a listening mode in LibrePods.
Credit: Lifehacker
Tap head gestures To enable this feature (if you’ve paid for it): You can change the sensitivity of essential gestures based on your preferences, and practice recognition. For example, if you feel you need to use aggressive and pronounced gestures to get it to work, you can dial down the sensitivity here. More options can be found by tapping the cog icon in the upper right corner of the AirPods info screen: you can enable a home screen widget for battery information, choose the level of volume reduction for conversation awareness, and choose whether media playback should automatically connect to your AirPods.
