Apple AirPods are designed to work seamlessly within the Apple ecosystem. When you open the AirPods case near an iPhone, a convenient popup instantly displays the battery life of both the earbuds and the charging case. However, because AirPods rely on standard Bluetooth technology, you can pair them with an Android phone—you just lose the native battery popup.
Android does not natively interpret the specific battery broadcast signal sent by Apple’s W1 or H1 chips. To check your AirPods battery level on an Android device, you must use a third-party app.
Using the MaterialPods App
There are several apps on the Google Play Store designed to bridge this gap, but MaterialPods is widely considered one of the most reliable and aesthetically pleasing options.
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android phone and search for MaterialPods.
- Download and install the app.
- Open MaterialPods. You will be prompted to grant the app specific permissions. It requires Location permission (required by Android to scan for Bluetooth devices) and Draw over other apps permission (to display the popup animation).
- Select your specific model of AirPods from the provided list (e.g., AirPods Pro, AirPods Gen 3).
Once configured, the app runs in the background. Every time you open your AirPods case next to your Android phone, MaterialPods will detect them and display a battery popup that looks nearly identical to the native iOS animation.
Alternative App: AndroPods
If MaterialPods doesn’t work well with your specific device, AndroPods is an excellent alternative.
- Install AndroPods from the Google Play Store.
- Open the app and grant the required Location and Overlay permissions.
- Toggle on the Activate service button within the app.
Like MaterialPods, AndroPods will trigger a popup displaying the battery percentage of your earbuds and case whenever you connect them. Both apps offer premium versions that unlock additional features, such as placing a persistent battery widget in your notification shade, but the free versions are perfectly sufficient for simply checking your battery levels.