How to Pair Google Pixel Buds with iPhone

Google rolled out the Pixel Buds in early October 2017. They’re equipped with the Google Assistant from the get-go and have a native Google Translate support, making them very appealing to Google users.

If you own an iPhone and want to pair it with a pair of Pixel Buds, you’ll have to use the manual route, as the Fast Pair feature is reserved for Android users. In this article, we’ll cover the setup process and go over some essential tips.

Minimum Requirements and Limitations

Before we dig into the setup, a quick overview of system requirements and limitations is in order. To be able to use a set of Pixel Buds with your iPhone, you will need to have a model that runs at least iOS 10.0 or a newer version.

Since these are Bluetooth earbuds, you will need a proper Bluetooth version, as well. According to the official specs and requirements page, you will need an iPhone with at least 4.0 version of the protocol.

As for limitations, you won’t be able to use the Google Assistant with your Pixel Buds on your iPhone. That feature’s only supported on Android devices running Android Nougat and later versions.

Since the ability to use Google Translate with the Pixel Buds depends on whether the device has the Google Assistant or not, you won’t be able to use this service on your iPhone, either.

You will need a Google account in order to use your Pixel Buds. If you haven’t already, now is a good moment to create one. You will also need to download the latest available Google app version.

Despite the fact that you won’t have access to the Google Assistant and Google Translate, you will be able to take full advantage of the Pixel Buds’ gesture controls. You’ll also be able to use them as any other Bluetooth headset.

The Setup

The manual setup route takes a bit more time than the Fast Pair route, but you should be able to enjoy your brand new Pixel Buds in a matter of minutes. Here’s how to connect your iPhone with your new earbuds.

Step 1

If you haven’t already, you should unpack your earbuds. You should remove the protective film if there’s one before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2

Once you’ve removed the protective film, you should leave the buds in and close the case. It is important to charge the buds a little before the setup, especially if they’re brand new. You should charge them for at least 10 minutes; that should give you enough juice for the setup.

If you’ve already used your buds, check the battery status. In case you see a single, pulsing orange indicator, the power level is too low and your buds can’t pair with your iPhone. Charge them until the orange LED becomes white. The white LED should pulse, as well.

Google recommends novice users to read through the official safety guide to make sure they’re charging their earbuds the correct way. You can also find this info in the printed guide included in the Pixel Buds packaging.

Step 3

When your Pixel Buds are sufficiently charged, you should turn the Bluetooth on your iPhone on. Tap the Settings app icon on your smartphone’s Home screen. Tap on the Bluetooth section. Finally, tap on the slider switch next to the Bluetooth option to toggle it on.

Step 4

You should see the list of available devices once Bluetooth is up and running. Browse the list for the Pixel Buds and tap on them. Wait a few moments for the devices to pair.

How to Reconnect Your Buds

If your iPhone and Pixel Buds lose connection for any reason, there are two main ways to reconnect them. If they’re in your ears, you should double-tap the right one. If they’re in their carrying and charging case, you should open it and take the buds out and tap the right bud twice.

If you can’t reconnect the buds and the phone this way, you can always try resetting Bluetooth or restarting the phone and the buds.

Multiple Connections

You can pair one set of Pixel Buds with up to eight devices. To connect them to another phone or any Bluetooth-enabled device, follow these steps:

Place your Pixel Buds in their charging case.
When you see the green LED, press and hold the button inside the case for three seconds. This will switch the buds to the pairing mode.
Activate Bluetooth on the device you want to sync with your Pixel Buds with and pair the two devices.

You can switch between the devices on the fly. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Bluetooth menu on the device you want to switch to.
Scan for available devices.
Pick Pixel Buds from the list.

Your Pixel Buds will automatically connect to that device.

How to Turn Them Off

There are two ways to turn off your Pixel Buds. The simple way is to tap the right bud three times. You can use this gesture to wake them up, as well. The alternative process is covered in the steps below.

Launch the Settings app from your iPhone’s Home screen.
Go to the Bluetooth section of the menu.
Browse the list of devices and tap on the Pixel Buds’ info button.
Tap the Disconnect option.

Basic Gestures

Here’s a brief overview of the basic gesture commands. Have in mind that you’ll only tap and swipe the right earbud. With a single tap, you can answer a call. Android users can also confirm their choices in the Assistant app. A single tap can also pause and play media.

A double tap stops the Assistant and enables the user to listen to its notifications. Triple taps are there to wake and put your Pixel Buds to sleep. A touch-and-hold gesture ends calls and ignores incoming ones. A swipe forward raises the volume, while a swipe backwards lowers it.

Tap and Swipe Your Pixel Buds

Even though iOS users can’t enjoy the full range of the Pixel Buds’ features, they’re still a terrific Bluetooth headset by any standard. They can give the Air Pods a good run for their money any day of the week.

Do you use the Pixel Buds with your iPhone? If not, would you be willing to give them a chance? If you have any experience with them, hit the comments section below and share your thoughts with us.