You've found yourself in a common modern dilemma: two pairs of AirPods, one iPad, and a desire to share audio with a friend or family member. Whether it's for watching a movie on a flight, enjoying a shared playlist, or collaborating on a creative project, connecting two AirPods to a single iPad is a fantastic way to enhance your shared audio experience.
But how exactly do you make this technological magic happen? It might seem a bit daunting at first, especially if you're used to the simple one-to-one pairing of Bluetooth devices. Fear not! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step, ensuring you and your companion can enjoy crystal-clear audio together.
Let's dive in!
Step 1: Are You Ready for a Shared Audio Adventure?
Before we even touch your devices, let's confirm a few things. This process relies on a specific feature called Audio Sharing, which was introduced by Apple.
- iPad Compatibility Check: Your iPad needs to be running iPadOS 13.1 or later. To check, go to
Settings>General>About>Software Version. If it's an older version, you'll need to update it first. - AirPods Compatibility Check: You'll need two pairs of compatible AirPods. This includes:
- AirPods (1st generation or later)
- AirPods Pro (1st generation or later)
- AirPods Max
- Powerbeats Pro
- Powerbeats
- Beats Solo3 Wireless
- Beats Studio3 Wireless
- BeatsX
- Beats Flex
- Beats Fit Pro
- Charge Up! Ensure both pairs of AirPods and your iPad have sufficient battery life. There's nothing worse than getting halfway through the process only to have a device die!
If you've checked these off, you're absolutely ready to proceed!
Step 2: Connecting the First Pair of AirPods
This is the standard pairing process you're likely already familiar with.
Sub-heading 2.1: Initial Pairing if Not Already Connected
If your first pair of AirPods isn't already connected to your iPad:
- Open the AirPods Case: With your AirPods inside, open the charging case and hold it close to your iPad.
- Look for the Pop-up: A setup animation should appear on your iPad's screen.
- Tap 'Connect': Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your AirPods.
- Confirm Connection: Once connected, you'll see a message confirming the connection and the battery levels of your AirPods and their case.
Sub-heading 2.2: Ensuring the First Pair is Active
If your AirPods are already paired, simply ensure they are actively connected:
- Put them in your ears: The most straightforward way to ensure they connect.
- Check Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad screen (or swipe up from the bottom if you have a Home button) to open Control Center.
- Tap the Audio Card: Look for the audio card in the top right. It will show the currently connected audio device. If it's your first pair of AirPods, you're good to go. If not, tap the AirPlay icon (a triangle with concentric circles) and select your AirPods from the list.
Step 3: Initiating Audio Sharing
This is where the magic truly begins!
Sub-heading 3.1: The Control Center Method (Most Common)
This is typically the easiest and quickest way to share audio.
- Open Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad screen (or swipe up from the bottom for older iPads with a Home button).
- Tap the AirPlay Icon: In the audio card (the one showing what's currently playing and the volume), tap the AirPlay icon. It looks like a small triangle with three concentric circles pointing upwards.
- Tap 'Share Audio...': You'll see a list of available audio outputs. Below your currently connected AirPods, you should see an option that says "Share Audio..." Tap on this.
Sub-heading 3.2: The Lock Screen Method (Alternative)
If you're already playing something, you might see the option directly on the lock screen.
- Wake Your iPad: Press the Home button or power button to wake your iPad.
- Look for the Audio Widget: On the lock screen, locate the audio playback widget.
- Tap the AirPlay Icon: Similar to Control Center, tap the AirPlay icon within this widget.
- Tap 'Share Audio...': The "Share Audio..." option should appear.
Step 4: Connecting the Second Pair of AirPods
Now for the crucial second connection!
Sub-heading 4.1: Bringing the Second Pair Close
Once you've tapped "Share Audio...", your iPad will start searching for nearby compatible audio devices.
- Open the Second AirPods Case: Take the second pair of AirPods (or compatible Beats headphones) and open their charging case. Make sure the AirPods are inside the case.
- Hold Them Near Your iPad: Bring the open case of the second AirPods close to your iPad.
- Wait for the Pop-up: A new pop-up will appear on your iPad's screen, indicating that it has found the second pair of AirPods.
Sub-heading 4.2: Connecting the Second Pair
- Tap 'Share Audio': On the pop-up that appears for the second pair of AirPods, tap the "Share Audio" button. This is important – do not tap 'Connect' or any other option that might appear for standard pairing.
- Confirm Connection: After a moment, both sets of AirPods will show as connected on your iPad's screen within the Control Center audio card. You'll see their individual battery levels, and you can even control their volumes independently (though they'll share the same source).
Step 5: Enjoying Your Shared Audio Experience!
You've done it! Both pairs of AirPods are now connected to your iPad, and you can enjoy shared audio.
Sub-heading 5.1: Independent Volume Control
One of the coolest features of Audio Sharing is the ability to adjust the volume for each pair of AirPods independently.
- Open Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPad.
- Adjust Sliders: In the audio card, you'll now see two separate volume sliders, one for each connected pair of AirPods. Drag each slider to set the desired volume for each listener.
Sub-heading 5.2: Disconnecting One or Both
When you're ready to stop sharing:
- To disconnect one pair: Simply place that pair of AirPods back into their charging case and close the lid, or manually disconnect them from the Control Center by tapping the AirPlay icon and deselecting them.
- To disconnect both pairs: Stop the audio playback, or simply close the audio application. You can also manually disconnect them from the Control Center.
- Automatic Disconnect: If you move too far away from the iPad with either pair of AirPods, they will eventually disconnect automatically.
Step 6: Troubleshooting Tips (Just in Case!)
Sometimes, technology can be a little temperamental. If you encounter issues, try these steps:
Sub-heading 6.1: Restart the Process
- Start Over: If things aren't working, simply close the AirPods cases, turn off Bluetooth on your iPad for a few seconds, then turn it back on and try the entire process from Step 2.
Sub-heading 6.2: Check for Updates
- Software is Key: Ensure your iPad is running the latest version of iPadOS. Apple frequently releases updates that fix bugs and improve performance.
Sub-heading 6.3: Forget and Re-pair AirPods
- A Clean Slate: If a specific pair of AirPods is giving you trouble, try "forgetting" them from your iPad's Bluetooth settings and then re-pairing them. Go to
Settings>Bluetooth, tap the 'i' icon next to the problematic AirPods, and then tap "Forget This Device."
Sub-heading 6.4: Reset AirPods
- Last Resort Reset: If all else fails, you can reset your AirPods. With the AirPods in their case and the lid open, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for about 15 seconds until the status light flashes amber, then
white. Then, try pairing them again.
You are now a master of shared audio on your iPad! Enjoy your movies, music, and more with a friend.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to know if my iPad supports Audio Sharing?
Check if your iPad is running iPadOS 13.1 or later by going to Settings > General > About > Software Version.
How to share audio from my iPhone to two pairs of AirPods?
The process is identical to sharing audio on an iPad; follow the same steps, but use your iPhone.
How to adjust individual volumes for each AirPod user?
After connecting, open Control Center, and you'll see two separate volume sliders in the audio card, one for each connected pair of AirPods.
How to stop sharing audio with one pair of AirPods?
Simply place that pair of AirPods back into their charging case and close the lid, or manually disconnect them from the Control Center.
How to disconnect both AirPods from my iPad after sharing?
Stop the audio playback, or simply close the audio application. You can also manually disconnect them from the Control Center.
How to troubleshoot if 'Share Audio' option is not appearing?
Ensure your iPad is updated to iPadOS 13.1 or later, and that your AirPods are compatible. Try restarting your iPad and AirPods.
How to connect a different type of Beats headphones for Audio Sharing?
Many Beats headphones are compatible with Audio Sharing. Follow the same steps as you would for AirPods; the iPad will recognize them.
How to see the battery level of both connected AirPods?
Once connected, open Control Center, and the audio card will display the battery level for both pairs of AirPods.
How to switch between the two connected AirPods?
There's no "switching" in the traditional sense; both receive the same audio stream. However, you can adjust their individual volumes.
How to use Audio Sharing for video calls or FaceTime?
Audio Sharing is primarily designed for media playback. While you might get shared audio, the microphone input will typically only come from one connected device.
