How to connect Apple AirPods to Linux (Debian/Ubuntu/Mint)

README.md

How to connect Apple AirPods to Linux (Debian/Ubuntu/Mint)

Step 1.

Open your terminal.

In the root directory run the command:

sudo nano /etc/bluetooth/main.conf

The terminal will ask you to input your password. Please type it :)

Step 2.

After that a file with configurations will be opened in a terminal window.

Find the next line:

#ControllerMode = dual

Step 3.

Change "dual" to "bredr". The final code must be:

ControllerMode = bredr

Step 4.

To save changes and exit nano editor do the following:

1. On your keyboard press:

Ctrl + x

2. On the bottom of nano editor you will see a qustion:

"Save modified buffer?"

3. Press on your keyboard: y
4. Press on your keyboard: Enter

After these steps you will come back to regular terminal window on the same directory as before.

Step 5.

Run the next command in a terminal:

sudo /etc/init.d/bluetooth restart

After that you will see the message:

"Restarting bluetooth (via systemctl): bluetooth.service."

Step 6.

Go to your computer settings and enable Bluetooth so it starts to look for bluetooth connections

Step 7.

The next actions should be performed exactly as described:

1. Put your airpods (both) inside the case

2. Keep the cover opened

3. With cover opened and airpods inside the case press and hold the button on the back of the airpods case.

4. Hold the button until you see the light blinking on the front side of the case, it can also make a sound signaling that it is in pairing mode

Step 8.

Finaly, after all these steps you should find your AirPods on Bluetooth settings section and connect it ;)

Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS Release: 22.04 Codename: jammy

Changing #ControllerMode = dual to ControllerMode = dual works for me.

ControllerMode = bredr does not work for me.

ControllerMode = dual - works for me with Logitech MX devices and AirPods, but only as output device, its microphone is not available to set as Input :(
I'm on Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS.

Update:

• First, I changed #ControllerMode = dual to ControllerMode = bredr and suddenly when I restarted Bluetooth service with sudo /etc/init.d/bluetooth restart I was finally able to pair my AirPods (1st gen)! However all my Logitech MX devices got disconnected.

• Second, I decided to change ControllerMode = bredr to ControllerMode = dual to be able to connect my Logitech MX devices. And VOILÀ - my AirPods and MX devices are connected via Bluetooth to my laptop.

• Third, I followed this guide on AskUbuntu to make the AirPods microphone work as my input device. Unfortunately, I need to switch the Input in Settings to AirPods microphone but the Output switches to mSBC codec (HSP/HFP) automatically, so my earphones doesn't give me high quality sound on meetings :(
  Luckily I can switch to A2DP codec (High Fidelity Playback) as the Output and high quality sound gets back but only output! Hence I need to remember whether I am on a call or watching YouTube to switch between this options in Settings.

• • Handsfree: lower quality but both input/output
• • Headset: high quality but only output

Maybe somebody has managed to use both the A2DP (High Fidelity Playback) as the Output and AirPods microphone as the Input?

Mint 21 works perfect, thanks!

I am on Fedora 40 and what works for me to have stable connection with the Airpods AND connect to my MX Keyboard and mouse is to set both controls (note the hash stays)

#ControllerMode = dual
#ControllerMode = bredr

Worked fine. Thanks.

Its does work on Nobara 40. Thanks man, i appreciate it

Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS Release: 22.04 Codename: jammy
Changing #ControllerMode = dual to ControllerMode = dual works for me.
ControllerMode = bredr does not work for me.

Works for me with Logitech MX devices and AirPods but its microphone is not available to set as Input :( I'm on Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS.

I had a similar problem and switched between the settings, but I until I did a reboot it couldn't recognize my Logitech mouse.
Thanks for the detailed guide.

Thanks!
Worked for me, Ubuntu20 with AirPods 3.

isnt working for me on mint 21 / airpods pro, theyre showing up in the bluetooth devices list but trying to connect them fails and gives a "Connection Failed: br-connection-canceled" error

worked on Ubuntu 22.04 🎉

Worked on Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS

Worked on Ubuntu 23.04

Thanks a lot!

worked for me on ubuntu 22.04. thanks

Thanks that has worked for me on Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS. However, I also had a Mx Master 3 and this mode made the undiscoverable. So I had to revert the configuration, but after pairing the Airpods kept working.

Thanks it's worked for me on Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS with AirPods Pro

This is really clear and useful! Thanks a lot!

awesome thank you

thank you!!

Distributor ID: Ubuntu Description: Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS Release: 22.04 Codename: jammy
Changing #ControllerMode = dual to ControllerMode = dual works for me.
ControllerMode = bredr does not work for me.

ControllerMode = dual - works for me with Logitech MX devices and AirPods, but only as output device, its microphone is not available to set as Input :( I'm on Ubuntu 20.04.6 LTS.

Update:

* First, I changed `#ControllerMode = dual` to `ControllerMode = bredr` and suddenly when I restarted Bluetooth service with `sudo /etc/init.d/bluetooth restart` I was finally able to pair my AirPods (1st gen)! However all my Logitech MX devices got disconnected.

* Second, I decided to change `ControllerMode = bredr` to `ControllerMode = dual` to be able to connect my Logitech MX devices. And VOILÀ - my AirPods and MX devices are connected via Bluetooth to my laptop.

* Third, I followed [this guide on AskUbuntu](https://askubuntu.com/a/1339898) to make the AirPods microphone work as my input device. Unfortunately, I need to switch the Input in Settings to AirPods microphone but the Output switches to mSBC codec (HSP/HFP) automatically, so my earphones doesn't give me high quality sound on meetings :(
  Luckily I can switch to A2DP codec (High Fidelity Playback) as the Output and high quality sound gets back but only output! Hence I need to remember whether I am on a call or watching YouTube to switch between this options in Settings.

* * Handsfree: lower quality but both input/output

* * Headset: high quality but only output

Maybe somebody has managed to use both the A2DP (High Fidelity Playback) as the Output and AirPods microphone as the Input?

I am stuck on using the HSP/HFP even if I change the 'ControllerMode' to either 'bredr' or'dual'. Any reason I am not able to force them to use the A2DP as Output?

Works perfectly on my Linux Mint 22.1

thx a lot mate!

Thanks! It works on Ubuntu 24.04.1 LTS with AirPods Pro 2

Works immediately! Thank you tremendously!

Worked for me too! Thanks a lot!