Why can't we connect airpods to our apple watches?

This is really unexpected.

Why, if the apple watch has GPS and phone-less running capabilities, are we not allowed to connect our airpods to our apple watch and run with music without our phone?

Why is the default, absurdly aggressive and stubborn default, to look for our iphone and try to airplay it and if it is not available just freeze the music app?

Will this ability become available one day? Possibly as technology progresses?

Apple watch 8, iphone 16 pro max, airpod pro 2.

Posted on Mar 28, 2025 5:40 PM

Top-ranking reply

BobHarris

Level 9

56,819 points

Posted on Mar 28, 2025 8:25 PM

I can connect my AirPods to my GPS Only Series 4 and its replacement GPS Only Series 10. I've also connected 2 other Bluetooth headphones to my GPS Apple Watches. The hardest thing for the non-AirPods was finding the instructions that put the Bluetooth headphones into "Discovery Mode". Finding the manufacture's instructions on the web was so much fun 😩

If the Apple Watch does not see your AirPods right away, there is a small button on the back of the AirPod case. It is flush with the case surface, and difficult to see, but it is there. Press that button, and you will put the AirPods into "Discovery Mode". The Apple Watch will be able to find the AirPods after you do that (well for a minute or 2, until the AirPods drop out of Discovery mode, but that is more then enough time to pair your AirPods to your GPS Only Apple Watch).

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Why can't we connect airpods to our apple watches?

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