Apple AirPods have always supported Bluetooth, so you can pair them with any phone, tablet, or computer you like — whether made by Apple or not — to listen to basic audio. So far, though, getting the full set of features on these earbuds, incl Head gestures and all the restRequired using iPhone, iPad or Mac.
That has now changed with the advent of LiberpodsAn app that was actually launched a few years back but is now available Google Play Store. Previously, for LibrePods to work, you had to jailbreak and sideload your Android device. That’s no longer necessary—you can install it just like any regular Android app.
According to Developer Kavish Dewar, Google recently fixed the Bluetooth stack issue in Android and rolled it out with Android 16 QPR3. That means jailbreak is no longer required, although you need a phone with Android 16 QPR3 update installed. At the moment, that means a Google Pixel, OnePlus, Oppo or Realme device. As the Android update makes its way to other phones, incl Samsung Galaxy handsetsThey will also be able to use LibrePods.
AirPods connected via Bluetooth on Android.
Credit: Lifehacker
Among the AirPods features that LiberPods enables on Android, we have head gestures (so you can accept or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head), plus Voice control modes (controlling how much external sound leaks in), ear detection, more accurate battery level reporting, and conversation awareness (where AirPods drown out audio if you’re talking to someone). Note that some of those features, including head gestures and conversational awareness, require a one-time in-app purchase of $4.99. You can see the differences between the free and paid versions of the app from the main settings screen – tap the cog icon in the top right corner of the app’s front page to find it.
How to customize settings in LibrePods
The app should work with all AirPods models, but first you need to connect your earbuds over Bluetooth. To do this on a Pixel phone, for example, go to Settings, then tap Connected devices > Pair a new device. You need to press the pairing button on the AirPods case or double-tap the case, Depending on the AirPods you have Once you’ve linked your AirPods to your Android phone over Bluetooth, the LibrePods should be able to see them, but the options for the earbuds will only appear when the AirPods are actively connected—so you’ll have to take them out of the case.
What do you think so far?
Finding your way around the app is straightforward. You can switch between listening modes right from the main screen if it’s available on your AirPods: Transparency (letting outside sounds in), Active noise cancellation (to block out external sounds), and adaptive (automatic balance between the other two modes). You can customize the action taken with press and hold actions on the left or right AirPod—you can even launch Gemini if you want—and there’s also the option to customize which AirPod microphone is used by default.
Choosing listening modes in LibrePods
Credit: Lifehacker
tap on Head gestures To enable this feature (if you have paid for it): You can tweak the required gesture sensitivity based on your preferences and practice detection. If you feel like you need to use aggressive and pronounced gestures to make this work, for example, you can dial up the sensitivity here. More options can be found by tapping the cog icon in the upper-right corner of the AirPods information screen: you can enable a home screen widget for battery information, choose a volume reduction level for conversational awareness, and choose whether or not media playback should automatically connect to your AirPods.
