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 ;)

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!