Important
Development paused due to lack of time until June 2026 (JEE Advanced). PRs and issues might not be responded to until then.
LibrePods allows you to use AirPods features that are exclusive to Apple devices. It implements the proprietary protocol used to exchange data between AirPods and Apple devices, enabling features like changing noise control modes, fast ear detection, accurate battery status, head gestures, conversational awareness, and more on non-Apple platforms.
| Feature | Linux | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Changing Listening Mode | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ear detection | ✅ | ✅ |
| Battery status | ✅ | ✅ |
Renaming AirPods Note for AndroidOn Android, you need to re-pair your AirPods after renaming them because Android might not use the latest name. |
✅ | ✅ |
| Loud Sound Reduction | 🔴 | ⚪ |
| Head Gestures | ⛔ | ✅ |
| Conversational Awareness | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automatically connect to AirPods | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hearing Aid | 🔴 | ⚪ |
| Transparency Mode customization | 🔴 | ⚪ |
| Multi-device connectivity (Bluetooth Multipoint; 2 devices only) | ⚪ | ⚪ |
Other accessibility configs (click to expand)
|
🔴 | ✅ |
Other general configs
|
🔴 | ✅ |
| Head-tracked Spatial Audio | ❓ | ❓ |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | ⛔ | 🔴 |
| Find My | ❓ | ❓ |
| High quality two-way audio | 🔴 | 🔴 |
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ✅ | Implemented and works well |
| ⚪ | Needs VendorID spoofing; use at your own risk |
| 🔴 | Not implemented yet; planned |
| ⛔ | Will not be implemented |
| ❓ | Unknown |
The following features related to Find My are planned, but require further RE and might need root on Android:
- Add your AirPods to the Find My network
- Play sound through charging case to find it
- Notify when leaving behind
- Toggle case charging sounds
The app does not currently provide head tracking information to Android for the OS to perform HRTF. This has not been explored completely, and it might need root.
Spatializing stereo sound is beyond this project's scope and will never be available. Many OEMs have an implementation of their own for this.
This is being worked upon, check the #reverse-engineering channel on the LibrePods Discord server for more information. If it is ever implemented, it will most likely need root on Android.
On iOS/iPadOS, you can continue using A2DP while AirPods send the audio stream from its microphone over AACP.
Since there is no way on Android to have a virtual audio source which can be used for calls where the LibrePods app can provide the higher quality microphone stream, the app will need root on Android.s
* Features marked with an asterisk require the VendorID to be change to that of Apple.
Turns out, if you change the VendorID in DID Profile to that of Apple, you get access to several special features!
You can do this on Linux by editing the DeviceID in /etc/bluetooth/main.conf. Add this line to the config file DeviceID = bluetooth:004C:0000:0000. For android you can enable the act as Apple device setting in the app's settings (shown only when Xposed is available and LibrePods module is enabled).
Upto two devices can be simultaneously connected to AirPods, for audio and control both. Seamless connection switching. The same notification shows up on Apple device when Android takes over the AirPods as if it were an Apple device ("Move to iPhone"). Android also shows a popup when the other device takes over.
Accessibility settings like customizing transparency mode (amplification, balance, tone, conversation boost, and ambient noise reduction), and loud sound reduction can be configured.
All hearing aid customizations can be done from Android (linux soon), including setting the audiogram result. The app doesn't provide a way to take a hearing test because it requires much more precision. It is much better to use an already available audiogram result.
Please refer to the Wireshark dissector plugin by Nojus (@pabloaul) for more information on the protocols used: pabloaul/apple-wireshark
The dissector had not been used in LibrePods for most of the implementation; I had reverse engineered the protocol myself before this dissector was made. But many (future) features including two-way high quality audio and spatial audio would not have been possible without their RE efforts!
These parts of the app were completely AI-generated:
- Head Gestures - all of it, including logic and the UI
- The offset setup with r2+the xposed module (both versions)
- Troubleshooter and LogCollector
Rest everything- the background service, the Bluetooth manager classes (AACP and ATT), the entire UI, even the smallest components were written manually.
Some parts of the UI components were borrowed from Kyant0's demo app, which is licensed under Apache License 2.0.
The aacp.rs and the att.rs files were translated from Kotlin to Rust with AI. Some parts of the media_controller.rs file, mainly the pulse integration, was also AI-generated.
A huge thank you to everyone supporting the project!
 @davdroman |
 @tedsalmon |
 @wiless |
 @SmartMsg |
 @lunaroyster |
 @ressiwage |
 @kkjdroid |
 @CitrusJoules |
 @DanielReyesDev |
 @sumitduster |
 @GrifTheDev |
- @tyalie for making the first documentation on the protocol! (tyalie/AAP-Protocol-Definition)
- @rithvikvibhu and folks over at lagrangepoint for helping with the hearing aid feature (gist)
- @devnoname120 for helping with the first root patch
- @timgromeyer for making the first version of the linux app
- @hackclub for hosting High Seas and Low Skies!
- Of course, everyone who has contributed to the project in any way, including by testing, sharing feedback, or just showing interest!
- CAPod - A companion app for AirPods on Android. (play store | source code). Use this if you're using Android version 16 QPR3 or below and are not rooted.
- MagicPods for Steam Deck (website)
- MagicPods - if you're looking for "LibrePods for Windows" (ms store installer | website)
LibrePods - AirPods liberated from Apple’s ecosystem Copyright (C) 2025 LibrePods contributors
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or any later version.
This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with this program. If not, see https://www.gnu.org/licenses/.
All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them. All AirPods images, symbols, and the SF Pro font are the property of Apple Inc.