How to Connect Two Pairs of AirPods to One iPhone

This guide shows you how to share audio from one iPhone or iPad to two pairs of AirPods at the same time, a feature Apple introduced with iOS 13. You’ll be able to watch a movie or listen to a playlist together, each with independent volume control. Before you start, make sure both AirPods are charged and that your iPhone or iPad is running iOS 13 or later (or iPadOS 13 or later).

What You’ll Need

An iPhone or iPad with iOS 13 or later / iPadOS 13 or later.
Two pairs of AirPods (any generation, including AirPods Pro).
Both AirPods must be connected to the same iCloud account (the one signed into your iPhone/iPad).

Step-by-Step

Connect the first pair of AirPods – Put the first pair in your ears, or open the case near your iPhone/iPad. Tap “Connect” if prompted, then make sure they appear as connected in the Control Center.
Open Control Center – On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down from the top-right corner. On an iPhone with a Home button or on an iPad, swipe up from the bottom edge.
Tap the AirPlay icon – It looks like a triangle with three concentric circles. It’s in the Now Playing card (the music widget) at the top right of that card.
Tap “Share Audio…” – At the bottom of the AirPlay menu, you’ll see an option to “Share Audio…” (or “Share Audio” on some versions). Tap it.
Bring the second pair of AirPods close – With the second pair still in their charging case (lid open), hold them near your iPhone/iPad. A pop-up animation should appear on your screen.
Tap “Connect” on the pop-up – The pop-up will show the second pair’s name. Tap “Connect” to pair them for this session.
Confirm both are listed – After connecting, the AirPlay menu will show both AirPods with checkmarks. You can now play audio and it will stream to both pairs simultaneously.
Adjust volume individually – While audio is playing, open Control Center again, tap the AirPlay icon, and you’ll see a volume slider under each AirPods name. Drag them independently to balance sound.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to enable Bluetooth – Both AirPods use Bluetooth; if it’s off, the second pair won’t appear.
Not having both on the same iCloud account – If the second pair is linked to a different Apple ID, the sharing option won’t work. You’ll need to reset the second pair and pair them to your iPhone first.
Holding the second pair too far away – The pop-up only appears when the case is within a few inches of your iPhone/iPad.
Tapping “Share Audio” before the first pair is connected – The first pair must be actively connected (not just in the case) for the option to appear.
Using an older iOS version – Audio sharing requires iOS 13 or later. Check under Settings > General > Software Update.

Tips

Keep both cases closed – After connecting, you can close the second pair’s case; they’ll stay connected.
Use the volume sliders – You can also adjust the volume of each pair from the Lock Screen while audio is playing (tap the AirPlay icon there).
Pause and resume – If you pause on one pair, it pauses for both. To stop sharing, go back to the AirPlay menu and tap the checkmark next to one pair to disconnect it.
Works with other Apple headphones – This also works with Beats headphones that have the Apple W1 or H1 chip, so you can mix and match.
Battery drain – Sharing audio uses more battery on your iPhone and both pairs of AirPods. Keep an eye on battery levels.

Troubleshooting

No “Share Audio” option appears – Make sure both AirPods are connected to the same iCloud account. If they aren’t, reset the second pair: hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber, then pair them again with your iPhone.
The second pair doesn’t show up in the pop-up – Move the case closer, make sure the lid is open, and that the AirPods are charged. Also check that Bluetooth is on.
Audio only comes out of one pair – Go to the AirPlay menu and verify both pairs have a checkmark. If not, tap the one missing a checkmark to reconnect it.
One pair sounds quieter – Use the individual volume sliders in the AirPlay menu to balance them.
Connection keeps dropping – Move closer to your iPhone/iPad, and make sure there’s no interference (like thick walls or other Bluetooth devices). Restarting Bluetooth may help.
After updating iOS, sharing stopped working – Try forgetting both pairs (Settings > Bluetooth > tap the “i” next to each and choose “Forget This Device”), then re-pair them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both pairs of AirPods need to be the same model?

No, you can mix AirPods, AirPods Pro, and even Beats headphones with the W1/H1 chip. They just need to be compatible with audio sharing.

Can I share audio from an Apple TV or Mac?

Audio sharing is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. On Mac, you can use the same feature if you have macOS Catalina or later, but the steps differ slightly (click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar).

How do I stop sharing audio?

Open Control Center, tap the AirPlay icon, and tap the checkmark next to the pair you want to disconnect. Or simply put one pair back in their case and close the lid.

Will sharing audio affect sound quality?

Both pairs receive the same audio stream, but the bitrate may be slightly reduced to support two Bluetooth connections. Most users won’t notice a difference, but audiophiles might.

Can I share audio with more than two pairs?

No, Apple’s audio sharing supports only two pairs of AirPods (or one pair plus another compatible device) at a time.

Why does the second pair show as “Not Connected” after a few minutes?

This can happen if the second pair goes out of range or if the battery is low. Move them closer to the iPhone/iPad and check the battery level in the AirPlay menu.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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