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Are You Wasting Money Buying AirPods Pro 2 for Older iOS Devices?
I understand you're trying to figure out if those shiny new AirPods will work with your older iPhone or iPad. Let me walk you through what actually happens when you pair them up.
Basic Connection Works, But Features Get Limited
Your new AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4 will connect to older iPhones and iPads without any trouble. The Bluetooth pairing works just fine. But here's where things get tricky - many of the cool features that make these AirPods special won't work on older devices.
Think of it like buying a fancy sports car but only being able to drive it in first gear. The car runs, but you're missing out on what makes it special.
The iOS Version Problem
The biggest issue comes down to iOS versions. Apple keeps adding new features to AirPods, but these features need newer iOS versions to work properly. If your iPhone or iPad is stuck on an older iOS version, you'll miss out on the best parts of your new AirPods.
Here's what I've found about which features need which iOS versions:
iOS 18 Requirements:
- Hearing Aid features (the big one for AirPods Pro 2)
- Conversation Boost
iOS 17 Requirements:
- Adaptive Audio
- Conversation Awareness
- Personalized volume
iOS 16 Requirements:
- Live Listen
- Transparency mode
- Noise cancellation
The Hearing Aid Feature Situation
This is where things get really frustrating for many people. The AirPods Pro 2 hearing aid feature is amazing - it's FDA approved and can save you thousands compared to traditional hearing aids. But it absolutely requires iOS 18 or newer.
If you have an older iPhone that can't update to iOS 18, you're completely locked out of this feature. The hearing test won't even show up in your settings. It's like the feature doesn't exist.
What Actually Works on Older Devices
Don't worry - your AirPods aren't useless on older devices. You'll still get:
- Basic audio playback
- Phone calls
- Siri activation
- Battery status
- Find My integration
- Basic touch controls
These core functions work great even on much older iOS versions. Your AirPods will still sound good and work as regular wireless earbuds.
AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2 Differences
Regular AirPods 4 actually work better with older devices because they don't have as many advanced features to begin with. You won't feel like you're missing out on as much.
AirPods Pro 2 have so many advanced features that require newer iOS versions. When you use them with older devices, it feels like you're only getting half the product you paid for.
My Recommendation
If you already have the AirPods and an older device, go ahead and use them. They'll work fine for basic listening and calls. But if you're thinking about buying new AirPods specifically for an older device, consider whether it's worth the money when you can't access the premium features.
For the hearing aid functionality specifically, you really need to have a device that can run iOS 18. There's no workaround for this - Apple built it into the system at a deep level.
New AirPods will connect to older iPhones and iPads, but you'll miss out on many features that justify their higher price. The basic audio experience remains excellent, but the smart features that make these AirPods special require newer iOS versions to function.