You can connect two pairs of AirPods to your iPhone with Apple’s audio sharing feature.
Once connected, you can control your volume independently for each set of AirPods.
When you’re ready to disconnect one pair of AirPods, you can do so from the Control Center.
Sharing music used to be as simple as sitting side by side and handing over an earbud. While there is something nostalgic about sharing a pair of earbuds, listening to music out of one AirPod isn’t an ideal experience.
Thankfully, Apple has an audio sharing feature that lets you listen to audio from your iPhone using two separate sets of wireless earbuds.
Devices with AirPods compatibility
Below is a list of devices that have the audio sharing feature. You must be running iOS 13 or later to unlock audio sharing.
iPhone 8 and lateriPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) and lateriPad Pro 11-inchiPad Pro 10.5-inchiPad Air (3rd generation) and lateriPad mini (5th generation) and lateriPad (5th generation) and lateriPod touch (7th generation)
These are the compatible headphone models for audio sharing:
AirPods MaxAirPods Pro (1st generation) and laterAirPods (1st generation) and laterPowerbeatsSolo ProPowerbeats ProPowerbeats3 WirelessBeats Solo3 WirelessBeats Studio3 WirelessBeatsXBeats FlexBeats Fit Pro
How to connect two pairs of AirPods to one phone
This process is the same for iPhone and iPad.
1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone via Bluetooth. If you’ve already set up your AirPods, it’s as simple as putting them in your ears.
Quick tip: If you’re having trouble connecting to your device, try resetting your AirPods.
2. Tap the AirPlay button from the Control Center, Lock Screen, or app you’re listening to.
Tap the AirPlay button to see what devices are connected.
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3. Tap Share Audio.
Make sure you’re using a compatible headphone model to unlock Apple’s audio sharing feature.
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4. If the second pair of headphones are AirPods or AirPods Pro, keep them inside their case and bring them close to your iPhone and open the lid. For AirPods Max, simply hold them close to your iPhone. If you have wireless Beats, put them in pairing mode before holding them close to your iPhone.
5. Once you see the second set of headphones pop up on the screen, tap Share Audio.
When the second set of AirPods is nearby, this pop-up will appear.
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Quick tip: To connect two pairs of AirPods to a Mac, go to Finder, then Utilities, then Audio MIDI Setup. Click the plus button and create a new multi-output device consisting of the two sets of AirPods.
How to control the volume, pause, or play
Once connected, you can control the volume as well as pause, play, and stop the music you’re listening to by going to the Lock Screen or Control Center on your iPhone.
Each set of AirPods will have separate volume controls, so that each listener can customize the levels to suit their needs. If your headphones have audio controls, you can change the volume that way too.
Adjust the volume according to your comfort level with separate volume controls.
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Quick tip: You can change the volume of both headphones at once by moving the main volume slider.
The main volume slider can raise or lower the volume on both pairs of AirPods at once.
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How to stop sharing audio
1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center.
2. Tap the AirPlay icon, and then tap the check next to the headphones that you want to disconnect from.
When the circle is unchecked, the device is disconnected.
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