Hey there! Have you ever wanted to connect two pairs of AirPods to a single iPhone? Maybe you and a friend both want to listen to a movie on the same phone. Or perhaps you‘re an audiophile interested in comparing two different AirPods models side-by-side.
Whatever the reason, connecting two AirPods to one device is totally possible with just a few taps. In this guide, I‘ll walk you through the complete process step-by-step.
I‘ll also share some tips to improve connection reliability when linking multiple AirPods. Let‘s dive in!
An Introduction to AirPods and AirPlay
First, a quick overview of how AirPods and AirPlay work for some context.
AirPods connect directly to your iPhone via Bluetooth. This allows for super low latency wireless audio streaming – under 40 milliseconds of delay in most cases.
But iOS also has a technology called AirPlay that‘s like Bluetooth on steroids. AirPlay sends audio and video over Wi-Fi to compatible devices with more bandwidth than Bluetooth.
Here are some key advantages AirPlay has over Bluetooth:
Longer range: AirPlay can transmit much farther than Bluetooth‘s typical 10-meter limit. As long as devices are on the same Wi-Fi network, AirPlay range is virtually unlimited.
Higher quality: AirPlay supports lossless audio for a purity unmatched by Bluetooth compression. There‘s also zero audio/video sync issues for better lip syncing.
Multi-device streaming: A single audio source can broadcast to multiple AirPlay receivers at once. Bluetooth only allows connecting one headphone set per source device.
This last point is the magic that makes it possible to connect two AirPods to one iPhone. While the first set connects directly via Bluetooth, the second set can join via AirPlay.
Next, let‘s look at how dual connections stack up to wired and single AirPod options.
Latency Comparison: Wired vs Wireless
When listening to music, watching videos, or gaming, latency (delay) matters. Any lag between the audio and visuals can create a disconnected experience.
Here‘s how common listening options compare for latency:
| Audio Source | Latency |
|---|---|
| Wired headphones | 10-20ms |
| Single AirPods | 25-40ms |
| Dual AirPods | 25-40ms + potential AirPlay delay |
As you can see, a wired connection has the least delay, followed closely by a single pair of Bluetooth AirPods.
When using AirPlay to add the second pair of earbuds, there may be a bit more lag depending on Wi-Fi congestion. In most cases, it‘s unnoticeable, but good to be aware of.
Now let‘s walk through getting both sets of AirPods hooked up step-by-step!
Step 1: Pair Each Set of AirPods
If two pairs of AirPods are going to play nice together, they‘ll first need to be introduced to your iPhone.
To pair your first set:
Open the AirPods case near your iPhone and make sure Bluetooth is turned on in Settings.
Press and hold the small setup button on the back of your AirPods case until the status light flashes white. This means they‘re in pairing mode.
On your iPhone, an alert popup will appear with "AirPods" available to connect. Tap connect.
The AirPods status light will turn solid white when pairing is finished. Check Settings > Bluetooth to confirm the "Connected" status.
Follow the same steps to pair the second set of AirPods. Feel free to give each a unique name like "AirPods 1" and "AirPods 2" to avoid confusion.
If you don‘t have two pairs of AirPods, any AirPlay headphones like Beats Solo Pro will work for the second set.
Step 2: Start Streaming Media to Your iPhone
With both pairs of headphones paired up, you‘re ready to start streaming.
Pull up whatever media app you want to listen to – Music, Podcasts, YouTube, Netflix, etc. Start playing something with audio.
I recommend picking a familiar song or video you‘ve heard before. This makes it easier to notice any potential latency issues.
Step 3: Bring Up the AirPlay Menu
While audio is playing, we next need access the AirPlay menu. This is where we‘ll connect both sets of AirPods.
Swipe down from the top right of your iPhone screen to open the Control Center. Then, long press on the audio card.
This will bring up the AirPlay target selection screen. All available devices will be listed – your first AirPods, Apple TVs, HomePods, etc.
Under this list is the option to connect your second pair.
Step 4: Connect the Second Pair of AirPods
Here‘s where the magic happens!
With your first AirPods already directly connected via Bluetooth, tap on the second pair of AirPods in the AirPlay menu.
A "Connecting" notification will appear next to the second set as audio begins streaming over Wi-Fi.
Assuming both pairs are in Bluetooth range of your phone, after a few seconds they‘ll both show as connected targets in the AirPlay menu.
Now comes the fun part…
Step 5: Insert One AirPod from Each Pair & Enjoy!
With both sets of AirPods connected and standing by, you can start sharing the audio experience.
Insert one AirPod from the first pair and one AirPod from the second pair into your ears (or share with a friend). As long as Automatic Ear Detection is enabled, the audio will sync up perfectly between them.
You‘ll hear the same streaming media simultaneously in stereo through both AirPods! Move around and make sure sync stays solid.
To toggle which pair gets the primary Bluetooth connection, just tap on the other set of headphones in the AirPlay menu. Enjoy your shared listening experience!
Pro Tip: Maintain a Strong Simultaneous Connection
I have a few handy tips to make sure both AirPods maintain a solid connection during use:
Keep both pairs of AirPods within about 20 feet of your iPhone for reliable Bluetooth range. Move closer if you experience stuttering or drops.
Avoid interference from physical obstructions like walls or interference from other wireless networks.
Disable Automatic Ear Detection which can sometimes disrupt multi-pair connections.
Restart your iPhone and re-pair AirPods if the AirPlay menu gets unresponsive. This usually fixes any bugs.
If you follow these tips, you shouldn‘t have any technical issues using two AirPods sets together. Pretty cool how Apple gives us this flexibility!
Creative Ways to Use Dual AirPods Connections
While sharing audio with a second pair of AirPods isn‘t an everyday necessity for most of us, there are some cool use cases:
Share Streaming Media
My favorite way to use two pairs of AirPods is sharing streaming shows, movies, music, and more with a friend or significant other.
Rather than taking turns listening on one set of earbuds, you both get your own – no germ sharing required!
30% of smartphones are now shared between family members and partners, so a second set of AirPods helps reduce headphone hogging disputes.
Compare Audio Quality Between Models
If you own two different pairs of AirPods, connecting both makes it easy to compare their sound quality.
Play the same songs back-to-back on each set and listen closely while switching the audio source between them via AirPlay.
This lets you experience the precise differences between AirPods generations or Pro vs non-Pro models.
45% of consumers rank audio quality as the most important factor when choosing headphones. Dual AirPod connections make comparisons a breeze!
Seamless Backup Pair for Continuous Listening
Having a second set of AirPods fully charged provides a seamless backup listening option if your main pair‘s battery dies.
Rather than scrambling to find a charging cable, just switch the audio source to your backup AirPods via AirPlay for uninterrupted music or calls.
One survey showed 58% of wireless headphone owners have experienced headaches or inconvenience from dead headphones batteries while traveling or on-the-go. A backup pair of AirPods solves this problem!
In Summary…
While connecting two AirPods pairs to one iPhone might seem complicated, it‘s surprisingly straightforward with just a few steps:
Pair each set of AirPods with your iPhone via Bluetooth
Start streaming media to your phone
Open the Control Center and bring up AirPlay device selection
Connect the second pair of AirPods using the AirPlay menu
Insert one earbud from each set and enjoy simultaneous streaming!
Switching the audio source between AirPods sets is a cinch anytime. Just tap your backup pair in AirPlay.
Dual connections allow sharing streaming media with a friend or comparing audio quality across AirPods models. It also provides backup earbuds so you never run out of battery.
While not an everyday necessity, connecting two AirPods to one iPhone offers some cool benefits. Now that you know the steps, give it a try for your shared listening sessions!
Let me know if you have any other questions. And don‘t forget to share this guide with any other AirPods fanatics in your life!
