The Galaxy Buds 2 are among Samsung's most well-rounded earbuds, but are they a good fit for the iPhone? While that may seem like a silly question to ask about Bluetooth earbuds, that's where things stand right now. AirPods are technically compatible with any device that has Bluetooth, but they need to be used with an Apple gadget to access all of their features/settings. The same goes for Google's Pixel Buds. They'll work with an iPhone, but the experience is scaled back considerably compared to being paired with an Android device. Ecosystem lock-in is always annoying, but that's the reality of many wireless earbuds these days.
Before iPhone owners get too excited, though, there is a catch to the Buds 2 experience. Looking at the specs page for the Galaxy Buds, it's important to note the 'Compatible Specification of Smartphone' section. Here, Samsung lists that someone needs an Android phone with Android 7.0 or newer and at least 1.5GB of RAM. Missing from that is any mention of iOS compatibility. This is something Samsung also confirmed to Screen Rant during a briefing for the Galaxy Buds 2, confirming that the company's earbuds are not officially supported by the iPhone. No matter if someone has the iPhone 14 Pro Max or an iPhone SE, the Galaxy Buds 2 aren't a good fit.
Why The Galaxy Buds 2 Aren't A Good Choice For iPhone Users
This is a situation similar to AirPods or Pixel Buds. If someone buys the Galaxy Buds 2 and has an iPhone, the earbuds will show up in the Bluetooth menu and connect without a problem. Unfortunately, they'll be limited to very basic functionality. iPhone users will be able to listen to music, make calls and use the default touch controls, but there's no iOS companion app to adjust ANC settings, change the equalizer, customize touch controls, etc.
Because of all this, the Galaxy Buds 2 are only a good choice for someone with an Android phone. If iPhone users need a pair of $150 earbuds but aren't impressed with AirPods, something like the Beats Studio Buds are a much better choice. They have a comfortable design, ANC, transparency mode, long battery life, and integrate seamlessly with iOS. An ideal world would see all earbuds working the same regardless of the operating system, but alas, that's the way the market is — and will likely remain for years to come. It also wouldn't be surprising if future Galaxy Buds follow a similar pattern. Older models like the Buds Plus and Buds Live worked surprisingly great with the iPhone, but from the Buds 2 onward, that iOS compatibility may be coming to an end.
Is There A Galaxy Buds 2 App For iPhone?
Samsung makes an official Galaxy Buds app for the iPhone, but this is very limited and currently supports only the Galaxy Buds+ and Galaxy Buds Live. This means that users of the Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds Pro, and Galaxy Buds Pro 2 will not be able to use the app to connect their iPhone or make use of its customization features.
For Buds+ and Buds Live users, the Galaxy Buds app offers the ability to view the battery levels of the earbuds and charging case, adjust Ambient Sound and Active Noise Canceling, and adjust the settings of the equalizer and touchpad. Users will also be able to make use of the Find My Earbuds feature and update the software of their Galaxy earbuds.
How To Connect Galaxy Buds 2 To An iPhone
For iPhone users who decide to use the Galaxy Buds 2 irrespective of the limited functionality, connecting and setting them up is fairly easy. Since the Galaxy Buds 2 can't be set up using the app, users will need to do this manually. To begin, place the Buds 2 in the charging case and close the lid. Wait for a few seconds and open the case. This will automatically place the earbuds in Bluetooth pairing mode. Open the iPhone's Settings app, tap 'Bluetooth' and make sure the toggle is turned on. Select the Galaxy Buds 2 from the list of devices to pair it.
In case the Galaxy Buds 2 have already been paired with another device, the method to pair them to an iPhone is slightly different. Take the earbuds out of the case and insert them into your ears. Now, tap and hold both the touchpads for a few seconds to enable the pairing mode, and follow the instructions above to connect them to an iPhone.
Once set up, iPhone users can use the preset touch commands to control the Buds 2. Tapping once on the touchpad will play or pause music, while tapping twice will play the next track or answer/end a call. Tapping three times will go to the previous track, and tapping and holding will decline a call. iPhone users are stuck with the default Galaxy Buds 2 controls, but those with an Android phone can customize them in the companion app.