Apple builds excellent products used by hundreds of millions of people, and when it comes to AirPods, one thing has consistently fallen short for Linux users: they’re still hard to use on this platform, with features heavily limited.
So I was genuinely surprised to come across the project, which goes a long way toward fixing that problem. Meet LibrePods – a solution many Linux users have wanted for years.
The project offers one of the most comprehensive AirPods integrations for the Linux desktop (and Android devices) to date. Instead of relying on partial compatibility through generic Bluetooth stacks, the project implements Apple-specific behavior directly, providing Linux users with access to features that are normally unavailable once the earbuds leave macOS or iOS.
Once again, the community claws back features from the grip of capitalist enshittification.
Hot take: don’t buy Apple products, specifically because they gatekeep functionality for the crime of…checks notes…using your own hardware on platforms not made by Apple.
Absolute kudos to the folks who figured out how to free their AirPods, but you shouldn’t have to fully buy into Apple’s ecosystem to get a full featureset, and they won’t care to fix things unless and until their behavior affects their bottom line.
That is not a hot take.
That is just outright true.Is there an equivalent product to AirPods that does support Linux well? I’m genuinely asking because I’d be interested in buying them. I’ve owned a few different brands of wireless earbuds. AirPods ironically had the least amount of syncing issues.
This may not be what you are looking for but what i did was by a really good wired in ear monitor earbuds then bought a bluetooth adapter like the KZ AZ20. Nice benifet is face on you cant tell that im wearing them. Syncing has never been an issue. Plus you can swap to wired at anytime.
Great point. Can you link me to a pair that have battery status, ANC modes, and gesture detection support on Linux?
No idea about gestures, but maybe Fairphone?
So then I guess it’s kinda weird for that user to rant on and on about someone owning AirPods when there really doesn’t seem to be equivalent alternative. Cause lots of people are pretty meh about those fairbuds.
Theoretically I should be able to pair my AirPods with my Steam deck.
that’s never been an issue
Good news, you don’t need any 3rd party software to do this, just like you don’t to connect to any Bluetooth device.
Maybe now with noise canceling?
deleted by creator
