AirBuddy 2 gives Mac users control over AirPods, Beats with the interface Apple should have built

Apple has made improvements to the way Macs handle AirPods and Beats headphones of late but it still can't hold a candle to the iOS experience. AirBuddy did a great job of bridging the gap and now AirBuddy 2 is here to do it even more comprehensively. And it adds some stuff you might not realize you wanted yet, too.

It's that iOS-ification of the AirPods experience that is key to AirBuddy 2, but there's more going on here than just easier device switching.

With AirBuddy, you can simply open your AirPods case next to your Mac and see the current status right away, just like how it works on your iPhone or iPad. With just a click you'll be instantly connected and playing your Mac's audio through your AirPods. Powerful gestures and automation allow you to connect and change listening mode, microphone input, and output volume, without ever having to open up System Preferences or the Bluetooth menu.

Opening AirBuddy 2 from the menu bar shows a list of all devices along with their battery level. Any AirPods – or Beats headphones, sure – in use will appear next to the device they're connected to as well. What's more, AirBuddy 2 can also handle the handing off of your Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad, making it easier than ever to use multiple Macs with just one set of accessories.

If you'd like to share a Magic Mouse, Magic Keyboard, or Magic Trackpad with another Mac running AirBuddy, you can quickly transfer them with just a single click.

There's more here, too. Whether it's the comprehensive battery usage stats or support for quick actions, you can learn all about it on the AirBuddy website. It's well worth a browse.

Those new to AirBuddy can buy version two now for just $9.99. Anyone who already owns AirBuddy can upgrade for just $4,99, while those who bought the previous version during 2020 will get the upgrade completely free.