Did you know that Apple has sold over 200 million AirPods since their launch? These wireless earbuds have become incredibly popular, and for good reason.
They’re convenient, easy to use, and deliver great sound quality. But what if you want to use your friend’s AirPods with your own iPhone?
You might think connecting someone else’s AirPods to your device would be tricky.
After all, they’re designed to work seamlessly with their owner’s Apple products. But don’t worry. It’s actually quite simple.
In this article, you’ll learn how to connect your friend’s AirPods to your iPhone in just a few easy steps.
Whether you’re borrowing a pair for a workout or want to share audio with a friend, you’ll be up and running in no time.
We’ll walk you through the process step by step, using clear, everyday language. By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to use any pair of AirPods with your iPhone hassle-free.
How to connect AirPods to a different iPhone or iPad
Before we start, make sure your iPhone or iPad is running iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 or later. You can check this in your device’s settings.
If you’re having trouble pairing, you might want to reset AirPods first to clear any old connections.
This process works for all recent AirPods models, including AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Connecting AirPods to a different device is easier than you might think. Here’s how you can do it:
- Unlock the iPhone or iPad you want to connect to.
- Hold the AirPods case close to the device.
- You’ll see a message that says “Not Your AirPods.” Tap “Connect.”
- Find the setup button on the back of the AirPods case. Press and hold it.
- Keep holding until you see the light on the case turn white.
- You’ll get a prompt to confirm the connection. Tap to confirm.
- You’ll see a message about the AirPods’ location visibility. Tap “OK.”
- If these are someone else’s AirPods, tap “Continue.”
- Check your notifications to make sure you’ll get alerts through the AirPods.

That’s it! You’ve now connected the AirPods to your device. Whether you’re borrowing a friend’s AirPods or switching between your own devices, it’s that simple.
Also, if you ever want to connect JBL earbuds to iPhone or another brand, the process is pretty similar. Just different prompts!
Remember, this process works for most recent AirPods models. The on-screen images might look a bit different depending on which AirPods you’re using, but the steps are the same.
The takeaway
Connecting AirPods to a different iPhone or iPad might seem tricky at first, but it’s actually quite simple. You don’t need to be a tech expert to make it work.
The key steps are straightforward: unlock the device, hold the AirPods case nearby, and follow the on-screen prompts.
Remember to press and hold the setup button on the AirPods case until the light turns white. This process works for most recent AirPod models, so you don’t need to worry about compatibility.
Many people think that AirPods only work with their original owner’s device, but that’s not true. You can easily use your friend’s AirPods or connect your own to a new device.
If you’re setting up audio for video recording too, make sure you know how to fix no sound when recording video to avoid any surprises! The most important thing is to make sure your iPhone or iPad is running the latest iOS or iPadOS version.
Now that you know how easy it is, don’t hesitate to use AirPods with different devices.
Whether you’re borrowing a pair or switching between your own gadgets, you can enjoy seamless audio wherever you go. Why not give it a try today?
We’d love to hear about your experience connecting AirPods to different devices. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

