To enable pairing of airpods, you will need to update the ControllerMode to bredr from the default value of dual. This can be done by editing the file /etc/bluetooth/main.conf. Then restart the Bluetooth service using sudo /etc/init.d/bluetooth restart command.
You should be able to pair your airpods now and use it as headphones!
Process
Change the line
#ControllerMode = dual
to
ControllerMode = bredr
Airpods Pro Bluetooth connection
Source
https://reckoning.dev/blog/airpods-pro-ubuntu/
Process
Change the line
#ControllerMode = dualtoControllerMode = bredrThe run
sudo /etc/init.d/bluetooth restart