Unlock AirPods’ Best Features on Android & Linux for Free
▼ Summary
– The LibrePods app enables Android and Linux users to access advanced AirPods features like ear detection and head gestures that were previously exclusive to Apple devices.
– LibrePods works by reverse engineering AirPods’ protocols to make them behave as if connected to an Apple device, unlocking features such as conversational awareness and battery level info.
– The app supports all AirPods models but provides full functionality with AirPods Max and recent AirPods Pro, though it doesn’t support the AirPods Pro 3’s heart rate monitoring.
– LibrePods currently requires rooted Android phones with the Xposed framework due to a bug in Android’s Bluetooth stack, limiting its accessibility.
– OnePlus and Oppo devices running specific OS versions can use LibrePods without rooting, but some features like transparency mode customization remain unavailable until the device is rooted.
Getting the most out of Apple’s AirPods no longer requires owning an iPhone, thanks to a clever free application called LibrePods. Developed by Kavish Devar, this tool allows Android and Linux users to access a suite of features normally reserved for Apple’s ecosystem. By reverse-engineering the proprietary protocols of AirPods, LibrePods tricks the headphones into believing they are connected to an Apple device, thereby unlocking detailed status information and advanced functionalities.
The app enables ear detection, which automatically pauses audio when you remove an earbud and resumes playback when you put it back in. It also supports head gesture controls, letting you answer calls or skip tracks with a nod or shake of your head. Additional capabilities include conversational awareness that lowers media volume while you’re speaking, seamless switching between noise cancellation and transparency modes, and accurate battery level monitoring for each earbud and the charging case.
Customization options are extensive, allowing you to rename your AirPods, adjust accessibility settings, activate hearing aid mode, and manage multi-device connectivity. While LibrePods is designed to work with all AirPods models, full functionality is available with AirPods Max and the latest AirPods Pro versions. It’s important to note that the AirPods Pro 3’s heart rate monitoring feature is not supported by the app.
However, installing LibrePods on Android involves some technical steps. Due to a bug in the Android Bluetooth stack, the app currently only operates on rooted Android phones with the Xposed framework installed. Owners of OnePlus or Oppo devices running ColorOS or OxygenOS 16 can install LibrePods without rooting their phones, but they will miss out on certain features like customizing transparency mode until they complete the rooting process.
(Source: The Verge)
