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AirPods Pro on older iPhone

I am intending to buy Airpods Pro. However, my current iPhone is iPhone 6. Can I able to use Airpods Pro to connect to iPhone 6? (like the way Airpods Pro on Android phones). Is there any feature to be cut? Thank you very much for your time!!!

Posted on Nov 2, 2019 2:10 AM

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11 replies

Nov 8, 2019 10:21 AM in response to Andrew Orr

Didn't think you were trying to pick a fight. ;-)


Anything that requires using the settings on the iPhone, you can't do with the AirPods on the older devices. I can't be more specific than that. I'd suggest you let Apple know that where you think they can improve the documentation:


Product Feedback - Apple


The information you're looking for is probably somewhere. But, I couldn't find it either and I looked.


Best of luck.

Nov 8, 2019 6:27 AM in response to Elitegate

This is very frustrating. The AirPods Pro seem to work well with Android (NC and Transparency mode, for example), but it is unclear what you can do with iOS 12 or older. The Apple site states (Tech Specs footnote 10) - "AirPods Pro can be used as Bluetooth headphones with Apple devices using earlier software and with non-Apple devices, but functionality is limited."


What functionality is supported? Why not details on this?

Nov 8, 2019 7:00 AM in response to Andrew Orr

AirPods should work with older iPhones the same way they work with an Android phone. However, you won't have the same automatic pairing. You won't be able to access any settings for them from the phone. They will be just like any standard BT headphones. Not really worth the money if you don't have a more modern device but, they will work.

Nov 8, 2019 7:58 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Unfortunately your replies are as unclear as Apple's.


You say they will work, but then say they wouldn't work. Seems very strange that noice cancellation and transparency work on Android and might not on older iPhones. However, I just don't know. Apple is not helping us on this one.


When my son returns with my Airpods Pro, I wil test them myself on a variety of iPhones and IOS levels. Apple, of course, would like us all to have the latest iOS version and newer devices, but they should be transparent about what the functionality is for ALL their customers.

Nov 8, 2019 10:28 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thanks for the advice; I will send them my feedback. They are probably sick of hearing from me...


Again, the devil is in the details. One doesn’t need to use the settings to change the AirPods Pro from noise cancellation to transparency mode or the third mode which is just passive. This can be done by squeezing the stem and seems to be supported on Android. It is unclear whether this works with iOS 12 and older. A simple question, with apparently no simple answer to be found.

AirPods Pro on older iPhone

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