Do Apple Accessories Work With Android Phones?

Summary

The video explores the compatibility of various Apple accessories with Android phones, detailing what features are retained and lost. The creator tests AirPods, Apple Watch, Macs, iPads, AirTags, and MagSafe accessories with a Google Pixel 7, highlighting how some functions like Bluetooth pairing work while others, such as automatic ear detection and Find My network, are unavailable. He also mentions third-party solutions to bridge some gaps, rating the usability of each accessory with Android. The video concludes with a mixed verdict on switching from Apple's ecosystem, emphasizing available workarounds and compromises involved.

Takeaways

• 📱 The user, deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, decided to try out a Google Pixel 7 and explore compatibility with Apple accessories.
• 🎧 AirPods Pro 2 work with Android phones for basic functions like music and podcast playback, but features like one-tap pairing, automatic ear detection, and spatial audio are lost.
• 🗣️ The Google Assistant can be activated with AirPods on Android, which the user finds better than Siri.
• ⌚ The Apple Watch is essentially useless with an Android phone, as it cannot be connected and used for notifications or apps.
• 💬 Switching to Android means losing iMessage, but alternative apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and potential workarounds like Beeper and Sunbird exist, though the latter have long waitlists.
• 📤 Airdrop is lost on Android, but AirDroid offers a similar cross-platform experience for file transfers, though the free version has limits.
• 🖇️ Clipboard syncing between devices is also gone, but Clipped is an alternative solution for sharing copied information across platforms.
• 📱 AirTags do not work with Android as the Find My network is exclusive to Apple, rendering AirTags useless for Android users.
• 🔌 MagSafe doesn't natively work with Android phones, but users can buy third-party MagSafe cases, allowing them to use MagSafe accessories like wallets and charging mounts.
• 💡 Overall, the user gives mixed scores for accessory compatibility with Android, with some products being semi-useful while others, like the Apple Watch, become completely unusable.

Q & A

What prompted Nathan to switch from an iPhone to a Google Pixel 7?

Nathan was tempted by the innovation and progress in the Android ecosystem, which led him to try out the Google Pixel 7 after being deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Do AirPods Pro 2 work with Android phones?

Yes, AirPods Pro 2 can connect to Android phones via Bluetooth, allowing users to listen to music, podcasts, and videos, and use core physical functions like ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and transparency mode.

What AirPods features are lost when switching to an Android phone?

You lose features like automatic ear detection, one-tap pairing, customizable controls, spatial audio, and the ability to check battery percentage natively. Additionally, you can't use the 'Find My' network for locating lost AirPods.

How can Android users check the battery life of their AirPods?

Android users can use third-party apps like AndroPods, which provides notifications about battery percentage and occasionally shows animations of the remaining charge.

What is the Apple Watch's compatibility with Android phones?

The Apple Watch is essentially useless with an Android phone since it cannot connect, receive notifications, or access other functionalities. There is a workaround if you have the cellular model, but it requires an iPhone for setup.

How do iPads and MacBooks function after switching to an Android phone?

You lose access to iMessage and AirDrop, but third-party apps like AirDroid and Clipped can provide workarounds for file transfers and clipboard syncing. The experience is not as seamless as with Apple's ecosystem, but some features can still be replicated.

Can AirTags work with an Android phone?

No, AirTags cannot work with Android phones because they rely on the 'Find My' network, which is exclusive to Apple devices.

Is it possible to use MagSafe accessories with an Android phone?

MagSafe accessories don't work natively with Android phones, but users can buy third-party MagSafe-compatible cases that enable them to use MagSafe chargers, stands, and wallets.

What is Nathan's rating for AirPods Pro 2 compatibility with Android phones?

Nathan gives the AirPods Pro 2 a 5.9 out of 10 for compatibility with Android phones, noting that while the core functions work, users lose several convenience features.

What does Nathan recommend for people who want smartwatch functionality with Android phones?

Nathan recommends getting an Android smartwatch instead of trying to make an Apple Watch work with an Android phone, as the Apple Watch becomes largely unusable when paired with Android.