One headset. Every device you actually use.
Apple's own device-switching only works between Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID — and even then, it's inconsistently reliable. Add an Android phone, a Windows laptop, or Linux to the mix and you get no automatic handoff at all. thrw runs a small adapter on each of your devices and switches your headset to whichever one needs it — a call, a meeting starting, playback beginning — across ecosystems, without you touching a settings menu.
Switching is a real disconnect-and-reconnect, not an instant swap — so it takes a few real seconds, not zero. We're not going to pretend otherwise, or promise a number until we've measured it against real hardware.
How it works
- 1
Each of your devices — phone, laptop, tablet — runs a small adapter.
- 2
The adapter watches for real triggers: a call starting, a meeting beginning, playback starting.
- 3
Your headset follows the trigger to whichever device needs it — a real disconnect-and-reconnect, not an instant swap.
- 4
It works across ecosystems — Android and Mac — not locked to one vendor's devices.
Open source, and yours to run
The wire protocol, the relay engine, and every device adapter are MIT-licensed and public. Read exactly what your devices send each other, fork it, or write an adapter for something we haven't got to.
Every adapter reads its relay address from build-time configuration rather than a hardcoded default — so if you would rather your devices never talk to our servers, point them at a relay you run yourself. The hosted services are source-available too.
Frequently asked questions
Is switching instant?
No. Switching is a real disconnect-and-reconnect, not an instant swap, so it takes a few real seconds rather than zero. We'd rather say that plainly than promise a number we haven't measured against real hardware.
What devices does it support?
Adapters for Android and Mac, so your headset can follow you across ecosystems instead of staying locked to one vendor's devices. iPad and Linux adapters are planned and not working yet — thrw only lists platforms it can actually hold the headset on.
Do I need root or a jailbreak?
No. thrw uses sequential handoff — disconnect from the losing device, reconnect to the winning one — specifically so it works without root or a jailbreak on any of your devices.
Does this replace Apple's own device switching?
It's for the gaps Apple's switching doesn't cover — outside a single Apple ID, or once an Android, Windows, or Linux device is in the mix. thrw's advantage is working reliably across ecosystems, not being faster than Apple's own switching.
How does thrw decide which device gets the headset?
An incoming or outgoing call always wins, then a manual claim, then a VoIP session (Zoom, Meet, Teams, WhatsApp), then media playback, then whichever device claimed it last.