The Apple AirPods are some of the most popular wireless earbuds on the market. While not the very first pair of wireless earphones, they are among the first practical options that were commercially available.
The one big downside of wireless earphones is that you have to charge those batteries. Without a good charge, your AirPods aren’t going to be of much use.
So, what happens if you’ve separated your AirPods from their case for some reason? If so, you may be asking, “Can I charge my AirPods in someone else’s case?” Well, it’s time to answer that and more…
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The Short Answer
There exists an urban myth that each pair of AirPods is somehow linked with the case they came with. And, because of this, you can’t charge Airpods in a someone else’s case.
I use the word myth because that’s what it is. You should have no issue when charging your AirPods in a different case. As long as there is enough of a charge left in the case, or it’s connected to a charging source, just place the AirPods in the case like you normally would and rest easy.
Checking the Battery Level
To check the battery level of your AirPods, place both of them in the charging case but keep the lid open. Then bring your iPhone or iPad closer to the case. A pop-up showing the level of your AirPods battery will appear on the screen.
It is also possible to check this level through the notification center on your iPhone. In the notification center, swipe right to access the advanced options and scroll down the list until you find the battery level widget. This widget shows the battery level of every device connected to your phone or tablet.
Other options…
If you make regular use of Siri with your Apple device, then checking the battery level for your AirPods is as simple as saying “AirPod Battery.” Siri will immediately reward you with the answer.
It is also possible to use a smartwatch to check your battery. First, make sure that your AirPods are securely in the case, and head over to the control screen options on your watch. Then, tap the battery icon. You will be greeted with a screen showing the levels of your battery.
Now that you can answer the question, “Can I charge my AirPods in someone else’s case?” let’s move on to using your AirPods. As well as more information about the AirPods battery.
How Do I Connect AirPods to My Device
To use Apple AirPods with a specific device, they need to be connected/paired with that device. Here are a couple of ways to connect Apple AirPods to different devices.
iPhone
- Start by making sure you have the latest version of iOS installed. If not, then do an update before continuing any further.
- Open up your iPhone’s home screen and bring it close to the AirPods in the case.
- A pop-up notification will appear on the screen of your device, prompting you to connect. Tap ‘Connect’ to do so.
- If Siri is already set up, then it should work seamlessly. If not, you will be greeted with a step-by-step guide to finish the setup.
- When you are finished, simply tap on ‘Done,’ and your AirPods will be ready to use with your device.
If you want to connect another pair of AirPods to your device and share your audio source, then it’s as simple as repeating the above process with the other pair. When you bring the other pair close to your iPhone, you will be prompted on whether you want to share the audio connection. Click ‘yes.’
You will then be asked to long-press the button on the back of the extra case. As soon as the connection has been established, a pop-up will appear informing you that a guest pair has been connected.
Connecting to a Mac Device
- While you have your AirPods in your ears, go to your Mac device and press the Apple Icon on the menu bar and go to System Preferences.
- Select Bluetooth, and make sure that the AirPods are powered on.
- You will be prompted with a list of available Bluetooth devices. Select the Apple AirPods when they appear on the list.
- Now replace the AirPods in their case and keep the lid open.
- Hold down the setup button on the back of the case to complete the pairing process between your Mac device and AirPods.
Connecting to Android or Other Non-Apple Devices
- Put the AirPods in the charging case and keep the lid open.
- Press and hold down the setup button on the back of the case until the indicator light begins to flash white.
- Go to the Bluetooth settings on your Android or other device and engage the connection to the AirPods. The connection should take no longer than a few seconds.
Something to note: not all the same functions will be available when you connect AirPods to a non-Apple device. For example, auto-in-ear detection.
How Long will Air Pods Last on a Full Charge?
It is recommended that you keep your AirPods as fully charged as possible to ensure the best user experience. On a full charge, the battery length of AirPods should give you more than 24 hours of total playtime and around 18 hours of talk time.
Additionally, by charging them for only fifteen minutes, you can get an astounding three hours of playtime and two hours of talk time.
Furthermore, the AirPods Pro will notify you with a specific tone when the battery is low. When the AirPods are about to turn off due to the battery running out, they will play a different tone.
How Can I Extend the Battery Life?
One of the biggest considerations when buying wireless earbuds is the battery life. Fortunately, AirPods are among the top performers in the field.
That being said, if you are still worried about how long AirPod batteries last and want to maximize their usage, there are a few things you can do.
Alternating earbuds…
One of the best ways to extend the battery of AirPods is to use them in Mono or Independent mode. Meaning that you only use one at a time. Luckily, this required no special procedure; simply place the one that you are not using inside the charging case and keep the other one in your ear.
The device will automatically switch to the mono mode, which sums the audio to only one earbud. If you use them one at a time like this, alternating as they get flat, you will be able to dramatically extend the life of your AirPods.
How Do You Change the AirPods Name?
When connected to a device, the AirPods will automatically name themselves after the device’s owner and add the word “AirPods” as a suffix. If you are unhappy with this for some reason, then you can change it by following these steps.
- Go to the Settings/Preferences page on your device and select Bluetooth.
- Tap on the “i” displayed next to the name of the AirPods.
- You can then select the name of the AirPods and type in the desired name.
- Your new name should now be displayed when the AirPods are connected.
The Advantages of Using the Apple AirPods
Why not stick to your regular old earbuds? They work pretty well, right? Well, first of all, those pesky cables aren’t there to get tangled in your pocket or backpack. So, it’s one less thing that can break.
The long battery life ensures that they are just as practical as wired versions. All you need to do is keep them charged. And, with more than 25 hours of playback time from a full charge, there is no user whose needs can’t be met.
AirPods can seamlessly switch between different devices. This means you can easily use them with your phone, tablet, and computer without hassle.
But wait, there’s more…
Thanks to the improved drivers and software, Airpods will deliver far better audio than regular earbuds. Furthermore, they have excellent sound profiles and noise-canceling capabilities that make phone calls and conversations that much easier. You can also operate Siri using your AirPods.
The fact that you can share a music connection means you can make listening to music a shared experience, even though you and your friend have different earbuds. And finally, you can easily find your AirPods if you misplace or lose them, thanks to the Find My iPhone app from the App Store.
Do AirPods Require Updates?
Yes, the AirPods do require updates like the other devices. Luckily, AirPods are made by Apple, which means they are very easy to use. The updates are released every few months, and it will be smart to keep up-to-date with the newest ones to ensure you get the best from your AirPods.
These updates not only ensure you have the latest firmware but also the latest security updates. The updates should happen automatically. But if you haven’t used WiFi for a while or you have your auto-updates turned off, then simply do the following:
- Go to Settings/Preferences on your device.
- If you see that updates for your AirPods are not running, you can start them by simply placing them in the charging case.
- Check that the battery level is high enough for at least half an hour of operation. If not, plug the case into a power source, close the lid, and let the update commence. It should take no more than half an hour.
Need Information About Airpods?
We can help with that. Take a look at our detailed articles on AirPods Blinking Orange? How to Fix It, Simple Tips to Keep AirPods From Falling Out, Do AirPods Work Well on Android Devices, How to Clean Your AirPods Pro, and Can Reset AirPods Be Tracked for more information.
Also, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best AirPods Alternative, the Best Apple AirPods Pro Alternatives, the Best iPhone Earbuds, the Best True Wireless Earbuds, the Most Comfortable Earbuds, and the Best Wireless Earbuds For Small Ears you can buy in 2023.
Can I Charge My AirPods in Someone Else’s Case? – Final Thoughts
Regardless of how you use them, the Apple AirPods are among the best and most practical wireless earphones you can buy. They have an excellent battery life which is part of what makes them so popular.
And one of the greatest things is that if you forget your case, you can easily charge them in another case. That way, you can get back to enjoying your AirPods in no time.
Until next time, happy listening.
