How a 15-year-old cracked Apple’s AirPods system to give Android users all the features Apple never allowed

Airpods

A 15-year-old student from Gurugram has stunned the global tech world by doing something even major companies have not achieved. Kavish Devar has created an app called LibrePods that brings almost the entire AirPods experience to Android and Linux devices for free. The project, shared on GitHub, is now going viral again after a recent tweet pushed it back into the spotlight.

For years, AirPods have offered their smartest features only when paired with an iPhone. On Android, they act like basic Bluetooth earbuds. LibrePods changes that completely. Kavish managed to reverse-engineer Apple’s closed communication system and build a tool that makes AirPods “believe” they are connected to an Apple device. Once that happens, Android users get features that were previously locked inside Apple’s ecosystem.

This includes ear detection, noise-control modes, head-gesture controls, accurate battery information, hearing-aid features, transparency mode and even conversational awareness, which lowers the volume automatically when the user starts speaking. The app also supports multi-device connectivity and customisation options such as renaming and accessibility settings. Newer AirPods models like AirPods Pro and AirPods Max gain the most advanced features, while older versions still benefit from basics like battery readings.

Tech publication The Verge, which first reported the story, called it a major breakthrough because it brings iPhone-exclusive features to non-Apple devices in a way that has never been done before. LibrePods is completely open-source, and its documentation shows a thoughtful, detailed approach well beyond the developer’s age.

Very little is publicly known about Kavish apart from the fact that he is still in high school. Reports say he taught himself programming and figured out Apple’s closed protocols on his own. His GitHub page explains how the system works, the AirPods models supported and the technical requirements, which may include root access for full functionality.

The renewed attention has pushed Kavish into global conversation once again, with many calling his work a “quiet rebellion” against closed tech ecosystems. By unlocking features Apple restricts to its own devices, the teen has highlighted how young developers are continuing to challenge the limits set by big tech companies.