AirPods are so incredibly popular that even Google Pixel owners might be interested in reaching across the divide to enjoy some of the advanced features. The popularity of AirPods isn't simply due to the power of Apple's marketing and brand strength. They are truly among the best wireless earbuds available. Of course, Google makes Pixel Buds and there are several other earbuds to choose from, but if AirPods stand out from the crowd as the preferred choice, the next question is inevitably whether they work with the Google Pixel.
AirPods are not just true wireless earbuds, they are a phenomenon. Introduced in 2016, they quickly became Apple's most popular accessory, outpacing the Apple Watch. This was at a time when wired earbuds were included with every iPhone order. Given a free wired headset, Apple owners still rushed out in droves to purchase AirPods to release themselves from the burden and tangle of a wire connected to their iPhone. Now on their third generation, Apple's AirPods have greatly enhanced capabilities, including several of the features that were once reserved for the more expensive AirPods Pro.
AirPods, like most Apple products, integrate best with an iPhone, iPad, and Mac computer. The good news is that they also work with any device that can connect to Bluetooth earbuds. That means a Pixel phone can pair to AirPods in the same way that any other Android phone can. Unfortunately, not every AirPods feature can be used with a Pixel phone. Siri interaction requires an iPhone and Google Assistant isn't available. The automatic pairing and switching that makes AirPods easy to use with Apple devices can be a problem when used with a Pixel. Auto-switching can be disabled if the Pixel owner also uses an iPad or Mac, but it's annoying to have to take this extra step. Several premium features, such as Spatial Audio, are not compatible with a Pixel either.
AirPods & Pixel: What Works
AirPods can be connected to a Google Pixel by pressing and holding the setup button on the back of the AirPods case with the earbuds inside, and then completing the connection in Android Bluetooth settings. There are no surprises in how that works. Sound quality is top-notch, as expected, and the microphone works normally for phone calls or video chats. Music playback controls on the AirPods can communicate to a Google Pixel to skip forward, play and pause, just as if they were paired to an iPhone.
AirPods Pro have the ability to switch between Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode by pressing and holding the stem which happens on the earbuds so these important features still work when paired with a Pixel phone. Following Apple's instructions to tap on the AirPods Pro stem to control music or other audio also works fine. In general, AirPods work well as wireless earbuds with a Pixel phone, but many of the special features are disabled, reducing the value when compared to using them with an iPhone.
Source: Apple