The new Google Pixel Buds 2 are really interesting for many reasons which includes how great they sound and the fact that they are sweat resistant making it a good device for workout as well as the ability to swap out the ear tips which provides noise isolation by default.

But even with all these default improvements and interesting features that comes with the Pixel Buds 2, there are more to the device than just that. Google made it so that it would now be easier than ever to keep tab on on your inbox because there is Google Assistant right within it and another interesting thing is the fact that the device adjusts its volume to match the sound level of your environment. From fast pairing and checking battery levels to pairing your Pixel Buds 2 with a non-Android phone, we walk you through everything you need to know about the Pixel Buds 2 below.

To setup the Pixel Buds 2 is breezy

As of today, there are hundreds of earbuds out there in the market each with it’s pairing method some which are really just plainly annoying but enters the Pixels Buds 2 which connects with any Android smartphone or tablet under 30 seconds. As a premium-tier earbuds, you’ll expect the high standard pairing technique which involves the opening of the Pixel Buds 2 case while your device is unlocked and wait for a prompt which pops in no time.

Immediately the prompt shows up, you just go ahead and tap on it and let the device and Buds finish the rest of the work. There will be an alert which says the Pixel Buds will be connected tot your Google Account and with that you can quickly connect to the Pixel Buds on any Android device which you’re signed into. Just open the case near your other phone or tablet and wait for an alert to appear on your screen that says something along the lines of “Your saved device is available” and tap it to connect. 

There will also be a prompt requesting you install the Pixel Buds application – because the application unleashes more capability of the Pixel Buds 2. Say you’re pairing the Buds with a Pixel phone, there is no need to install the application as its already built right into the core of the device’s operating system and can be accessed by opening the Bluetooth settings page and tapping on the gear icon next to the Pixel Buds.

But if you’re not using an Android device, there are ways to pair the Pixel Buds 2 with your device with ease.

You can check the battery easily too

Checking the battery remaining on the Pixel Buds 2 can be done in two ways which includes on the battery status or on the charging case. As for the case, you just open it up and you’ll quickly notice the battery displayed right on top of the casing. On an unlocked smartphone with the Buds still in its case, you will still get an alert about a second later telling you everything to be known about the battery level of the device.

You can charge the Pixel Buds case by placing it on a wireless charging pad or your smartphone if your device supports reverse charging, or through the USB-C port on the bottom. 

Controlling the Pixel Buds is a bit tricky

The Pixel Buds has a touch panel right at the back which has different functionalities based on what you are doing to it. For example, swiping across the earbuds will either play or pause music or summon Google Assistant that can read notifications and so on. But below is a more comprehensive breakdown to the different gestures of the Pixel Buds 2.

1. Single tap: Play/pause or answer an incoming call.
2. Double-tap: Skip track, end or reject a call, and stop Google Assistant.
3. Triple-tap: Go back a track.
4. Swipe forward: Turn the volume up.
5. Swipe backward: Turn the volume down.

Long-press: While touching either Bud, you can talk to Google Assistant, or if you release after you hear the chime, Google Assistant read your notifications. 

It has sensors that know where it’s placed

This feature might not be unique though but it still cool. You do not need to remember pausing tracks each time you have to take out the earbuds from your ear as the sensors on the Buds automatically detects if the earbuds are in your ear or not to determine whether to continue playing the song or not. To enable this, follow the diagram below.

Magical volume control

The Pixel Buds also has this sensors that determines the noise levels in your environment and so auto-adjust its own volume to match that of the surrounding. This is like a compensation for the absence of the Active Noise Cancellation on the earbuds. Although the eartip also help with noise isolation.

Open the Pixel Buds app or settings page, tap Adaptive Sound and slide the switch to the On position. If you make any manual adjustment, Adaptive Sound will temporarily stop making changes until the ambient noise significantly changes. Pretty cool stuff. 

Integrates seamlessly with Google Assistant

When you first pair the Google Pixel Buds with your device, you’ll be asked if you’d like to set up the Google Assistant feature of the buds and if you do that, you’ll be able to read new alerts from apps of your choice and the buds let you reply without picking up your smartphone whatsoever.

To achieve this, first open up the Pixel Buds application and then tap on the Google Assistant to start the setup process which also includes giving the Assistant access to your phone’s notifications. When you’re done with that, notifications you’ll normally have to bring out your phone to read can be access straight in your hear and you can just summon the Assistant with “Hey Google” phrase.

You can find a bud if it’s lost

Completely wireless earbuds are amazing, but they’re also very easy to lose. One second you’re listening to your favorite tunes, then you take one out and set it down and walk away. Thankfully, Google included a tool that helps you find your lost Bud into the Pixel Buds app. 

Open the app and select Find Device. Next, tap on the Bud that’s missing and then listen. The Bud will start playing a sound, quiet at first, slowly getting louder until you hopefully find it. 

This is how to pair the Pixel Buds 2 with an iPhone or Mac

If for whatever reason bets known to you, you decided to stick with the Pixel Buds 2 instead of the traditional AirPods/AirPods Pro or even Beats ear buds, then there is a way you can use the Pixel Buds on your Apple-based devices such as the iPhone, iPad and Mac so far they have Bluetooth capability. Also, you’ll be letting go of some advanced features like the fast pairing and Google Assistant but if you don’t mind and you think the auto-pause and play, and volume control gestures, along with tap control, are all you need, then follow the guide below.

Follow these steps to pair your Pixel Buds with a non-Android device:

1.  With the Pixel Buds in the charging case, open it, then press and hold in the button on the back of the case. 
2. The white light between the Buds will begin to blink.
3. Open the Bluetooth settings menu on your device and look for your Pixel Buds. 
4. Select your Pixel Buds on your device and follow the prompts to complete pairing.

You can even factory reset the Pixel Buds 2

If you want to sell or just give the Pixel Buds 2 out to someone, then you can just factory reset the earbuds to erase your own personal data off it. To do that, you need to plug in the charging case with its USB-C port and have the Pixel buds placed inside it and then press and hold the button on the back until the pairing light stops blinking at which point the light will then blink white and orange for some seconds and then return to blinking just white which indicates reset is complete….just like that.