How to Connect 2 AirPods to One Phone

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How to Connect 2 AirPods to One Phone – Before You Start

Have you ever wanted to share music with a friend during a long trip without using the loudspeaker? Traditionally, you could share a pair of earbuds and use one each, but this only delivers one sound channel. Besides, sharing earbuds is not recommended for hygiene reasons. The thought of using someone else’s earbuds, not knowing who has used them before, may cause hesitation.

Apple introduced the ‘Audio Sharing’ feature with iOS 13 in 2019, enabling users to share audio with two sets of AirPods or Beats headphones from one iPhone.

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Now, you and your friend can stream music or watch a movie on one device using two sets of AirPods. Let’s explore how to connect two sets of AirPods to one phone.

Connect The Second Set of AirPods to Your iPhone

Apple’s ‘Audio Sharing’ feature allows you to connect two pairs of AirPods to a single iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch, enabling seamless sharing of any type of audio to both sets of AirPods without lagging or stuttering.

1. Begin by opening the case of the second set of AirPods.
2. A pop-up notification will appear, indicating that these aren’t your AirPods, but you can still connect them to your iPhone. Tap on the ‘Connect’ button.
3. Hold the button on the back of the case to enter pairing mode.
4. The AirPods will connect to your iPhone, and their battery status will display on your screen. Tap on ‘Done.’

Play Music on Two Pairs of AirPods

With the second pair of AirPods connected to your iPhone, you can control the audio from various AirPlay menus, including the Apple Music app, the ‘Now Playing’ widget in the ‘Control Center,’ and the lock screen.

To use the AirPlay menu in the Control Center:
1. Access the ‘Control Center’ by swiping down from the upper-right corner of your iPhone’s screen or the bottom area if you have an iPhone with a Home button.
2. Press and hold the ‘Now Playing’ widget to expand it.
3. Tap the ‘AirPlay’ button.
4. You’ll see all available audio output devices. If your AirPods are connected, they’ll be shown as the current output device. Tap the empty checkmark box next to the second pair of AirPods.
5. Both sets of AirPods will now be used as the audio output on your iPhone, and you can control the audio for both sets independently or together.
6. Adjust the volume for each set of AirPods using the slider under each.

How to Share Audio to The Second Pair of AirPods

There’s an alternative method to share audio from one iPhone to two sets of AirPods without the initial setup process.

This feature requires an iPhone 8 or later, running iOS 13 or higher, due to the Bluetooth 5.0 technology requirement for seamless audio sharing.

1. Ensure both iPhones are running iOS 13 or higher. Then, place your friend’s iPhone on top of yours.
2. A pop-up notification will appear on your iPhone, asking if you’d like to share audio with your friend’s AirPods.
3. Ensure your AirPods are connected, then open the ‘Control Center.’
4. Tap the AirPlay icon in the music controls.
5. Your friend should keep their AirPods in the charging case open and hold them close to your iPhone.
6. When their AirPods appear in the Control Center, tap ‘Share Audio.’
7. Once your friend places the AirPods in their ears, they will hear whatever is playing on your iPhone.

Final Thought

Thanks to Apple’s innovative Audio Sharing feature, sharing audio on your iPhone has never been easier. You and your friend can now enjoy the same music or movie together without sharing earbuds.