How to Connect Two AirPods to One Phone Simultaneously

Step-by-step guide on using Apple’s Share Audio feature to link two AirPods with a single phone.

Sharing audio by sharing AirPods seems like the simplest solution when you want to listen to a single phone with a friend or a loved one.

However, sharing AirPods can lead to discomfort, a diminished audio experience, and an increased risk of ear infections.

Save yourself from this with our simple guide on how to effortlessly connect two sets of AirPods to one phone using Apple’s Share Audio feature. Read on!

What You Need to Share Audio on Your iPhone

To use the audio-sharing feature, you need an Apple device operating on iOS 13 or later that supports at least Bluetooth version 5.0, and two pairs of compatible wireless earbuds.

These are the devices that will support Apple audio sharing:

• iPhone 8 or later
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) or later
• iPad Pro 11-inch
• iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad (5th generation) or later
• iPod touch (7th generation)

In addition to your Apple device, you also need a pair of headphones that can support this feature. Here’s a list of the compatible devices:

• AirPods Max
• AirPods Pro 1 & 2
• AirPods (1st generation) or later
• Powerbeats
• Solo Pro
• Powerbeats Pro
• Powerbeats3 Wireless
• Beats Solo3 Wireless
• Beats Studio3 Wireless
• Beats Studio Buds & Buds+
• BeatsX
• Beats Flex
• Beats Fit Pro

How to Connect Two AirPods to One Phone

Here’s how to use the Apple Share Audio feature to connect two AirPods to one phone:

1. Connect your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or Beats headphones to your iOS device.
2. Press the AirPlay button in the Control Center, on the Lock Screen, or in your current app on your iPhone or iPad.
3. Select Share Audio.
4. If your friend has AirPods or AirPods Pro, bring them near your device with the case open and press the setup button until the status light flashes white. For AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button until the status light turns white. For Beats wireless headphones, activate pairing mode and hold them near your device.
5. Tap Share Audio when your friend’s headphones appear on your screen.

   

In our experience, using two AirPods with one phone maintains the same audio quality for both sets.

However, I tried wearing one AirPod from each pair and noticed a slight delay in the audio on the second pair of AirPods. The Spatial Audio’s head tracking feature also doesn’t function when using this feature.

How to Adjust Volume and Noises Control When Sharing Audio

Here’s how to customize the audio levels and noise controls for each pair:

1. Go to the Control Center of your device.
2. The two-volume sliders next to the names of the AirPods will allow you to raise or lower the volume for each pair of headphones.
   Above the individual volume sliders, there’s a master slider that will affect the audio of both pairs of AirPods.

   

3. To access the Noise Control, return to the Control Center and long-press the volume icon. From there, you’ll see another volume control for the two AirPods and the Noise Control buttons below it. The Noise Control buttons directly below each AirPods’ volume indicate the Noise Control mode for each AirPod.

   

Outside of the Control Center, you can also pause/play music or videos inside the app that’s playing them.

How to Stop Audio Sharing

Here’s how to remove one pair of AirPods from the audio-sharing feature:

1. Access the AirPlay section from your Control Center.
2. Tap on the check next to the device you want to disconnect. This will cause it to disconnect.

   

What to Do When You Can’t Connect Two AirPods to One Phone

Experiencing issues with connecting both AirPods to a single phone can be frustrating, but there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve this problem.

Here’s a guide to help you get your AirPods working seamlessly with your device:

• Make sure you are using a compatible device: Compatibility is key. Make sure that your phone and headphones are included in the list of compatible devices for Share Audio.
• Reset your AirPods: Resetting can resolve connection issues as it refreshes the AirPods’ settings, potentially fixing glitches. To do this, put your AirPods in the case and close it. After 30 seconds, open the lid, then forget the AirPods in Bluetooth settings, and press the setup button until the light flashes white.
• Update your iOS software: Outdated software can lead to connectivity issues. Go to Settings on your iPhone > tap General > Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
• Update your AirPods’ firmware: Keeping your AirPods updated ensures optimal performance and connectivity. Put your AirPods in their case to charge and connect them to your iPhone. Place your iPhone near the AirPods with internet access. The update will occur automatically. Leave the AirPods and iPhone in that position for at least 30 minutes for the update to complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How many pairs of AirPods can you share audio with?
• Can two pairs of AirPods connect to one iPad?
• Can you connect two AirPods to one phone during a phone call?

How many pairs of AirPods can you share audio with?

Apple’s Audio Sharing limits connection to two AirPods. For larger groups, use speakers or music sync apps. Services like Disney Plus and Prime Video also offer Group Watch features for simultaneous movie or TV show viewing.

Can two pairs of AirPods connect to one iPad?

Yes, two AirPods pairs can simultaneously connect to an iPad for shared listening using Apple’s Audio Sharing. Explore more on how to connect two AirPods to one iPad or to one Macbook in our separate guides.

Can you connect two AirPods to one phone during a phone call?

Unfortunately, the Share Audio feature is only available when listening to music and other media, not phone calls.