How To Use Airpods With Xbox One & Series X
The easiest steps to use AirPods with an Xbox console leverage remote play functions nestled in the Xbox mobile app. While designed to stream gameplay to your phone screen, it also doubles as a method to wirelessly hand over Xbox audio to an external output. You can connect your AirPods to your phone, open the remote play stream, and enjoy stereo sound from your favorite titles.
These steps work best with AirPods paired to an iOS device, although Android phones and other wireless earbud brands deliver similar results. Microsoft also recommends using a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection for the best results. You’ll first need to ensure your Xbox console is ready for remote play via the console’s Settings application.
Select Settings.
Ensure the Enable remote features checkbox is filled.
With your Xbox console readied for remote play, you can now start wirelessly streaming your gameplay to your phone. The Xbox app allows players to streaming low-latency feed from your Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S, audio included.
Connect your AirPods to your iOS or Android device.
Open the Xbox app via your phone or tablet. If you don’t have the Xbox app, it’s available via the iOS App Store and Google Play Store for Android.
What You Need To Connect Airpods To Ps4
In all honesty, however the PS4 doesnt uphold Bluetooth sound out of the container. That implies that you cant connect AirPodsor some other sort of Bluetooth earphonesto it without purchasing embellishments. In the event that you take a stab at connecting AirPods to PS4 without a connector, the PS4 will actually want to distinguish them, and youll go through the entirety of the matching advances just to see the cycle come up short at the absolute last stage. Irritating!
To get around this, you need to get a PS4 Bluetooth connector that upholds Bluetooth sound that you can plug into the control center.
Create A Party With The Xbox App And Invite
On the home screen of your Xbox App, look for the icon that looks like two people at the bottom or side of the screen . This is the Social section select it.
At the top of the screen in the right-hand corner, you will see two icons, a headset and a notepad. Choose the Headset icon to immediately start your own party. You may need to give the app permission to use your mic first. With your party created, you can choose Add People to search your friends or search for a specific gamertag. The list gives priority to who is currently online.
If you dont want to start your own party first, you can choose the Notepad icon and scroll through contacts to select and invite at your leisure. Note that even outside of these screens, you can select any contact, then select the menu to the right of the Send a Message button to invite them directly at any time.
If you are getting invited to a party, its even easier. Just select your Notifications on the home screen and then select the Notification Invite.
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The Xbox One Doesnt Support Airpods
The Xbox One doesnt support Bluetooth pairing, so, AirPods being Bluetooth devices, cant be paired directly with the Xbox One console. Similarly, you cannot connect AirPods with the Xbox One controller.
Its because Microsoft took a different approach when they designed the communication capability of the Xbox One.
Microsoft wanted reduced latency and an improved audio experience when using headphones, so they developed a unique, in-house wireless protocol. This protocol uses a higher radio frequency than the 2.4GHz radio frequency used by Bluetooth to provide what Microsoft believes is a better audio experience.
So does this mean you cannot use your AirPods with the Xbox One and have to buy Xbox-compatible headsets?
Fortunately no. Lets find out how.
Heres How To Connect Your Apple Airpods To The Xbox One And Use Them For Gaming On Your Console

If youre looking for a streamlined pair of headphones for gaming sessions on your Xbox One, you could do worse than Apples AirPods.
Yep, Apples signature earpieces arent just compatible with your iPhone or iPad you can connect them to your games console, too. Thanks to their wireless simplicity and light fit, they could be a good option if you prefer in-ear headphones to bulkier, over-ear cans. On top of that, their teeny, built-in microphones will come in handy when navigating the multiplayer battlefield.
They come with a fairly hefty price tag, mind: the AirPods will set you back £159, while the upgraded AirPods Pro complete with customisable fit and active noise cancellation cost a hefty .
Read below to find out everything you need to know to connect your Apple AirPods to the Xbox One
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Can You Connect Headphones To Optical Audio
The Sennheiser RS 175, RS 185 and RS 195 Wireless Headphones have the ability to connect directly to a digital optical output that is outputting a PCM signal. The alternate way to connect to a digital output is to use a digital to analog decoder which will take the digital signal and change it into an analog signal.
What Ports Are Available In The Xbox One Wireless Controller
If you turn your Xbox One controller over and look under it, you will have two main ports. One is a circular port, which is the 3.5mm headphone jack port that enables external headphones of any company to connect to the Xbox One Controller.
The second port is the rectangular external USB port to which Bluetooth adaptors can be connected to increase the range of an Xbox One controller. But, these simple Bluetooth adaptors canât act as a medium for you to connect your Bluetooth headphones with the Xbox.
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Using Xbox One Transmitter Dongle
To follow this method, you have to purchase an Xbox One Transmitter Dongle. You can find one online for around $35. Check out this link to find one now: Xbox One Bluetooth Transmitter Dongle
Now there is one major issue that a lot of users face when they decide to go with this method which we will get to in a while. But for now, lets check out what you need to do to get these devices connected:
Step 1: Turn on the Xbox One console and the gamepad.
Step 2: Plug the Xbox One Bluetooth Transmitter Dongle in the audio jack of the Xbox One gamepad.
A typical Xbox One Bluetooth Transmitter. Source:
Step 3: Now turn on the Dongle using the power button present on it.
Step 4: Now, once the Dongle is in pairing mode, press the pair button present on the charging case of the AirPods.
Step 5: Once the devices are done pairing, you can take the AirPods off the charging case and use them to listen to music.
Thats all you need to do to connect AirPods to Xbox One. There is no need to change the settings of the Xbox One console.
Now the issue that we were talking about earlier is with the microphone. If you are wondering if you can use Apple headphones as a mic on Xbox, let us tell you that a lot of people have pointed out that theyve been unable to get their mic working using this method.
So, if you play multiplayer games a lot where you must keep your mic on, then you can not go with this.
Other Ways To Connect Airpods To Xbox
While remote play is the simplest way to use Bluetooth headphones like AirPods with Xbox consoles, alternate methods involve extra hardware. These options bypass the existing offerings of Xbox consoles, excluding features like voice chat in the process. But there are valid alternatives to the remote play workaround if you want a direct line to your Xbox gameplay audio.
Bluetooth support has rapidly evolved into a standard feature on TVs, and in many cases, allows headphones to work with Xbox consoles. Your Xbox console routes to your TV over HDMI before wirelessly transmitting that audio to connected headphones. The steps to connect wireless earbuds like AirPods widely varies between TV models, although official documentation is often available via the manufacturer’s website.
Third-party Bluetooth adapters are also available for Xbox consoles, hooking up to an Xbox Wireless Controller via the integrated 3.5mm headphone jack. Compared to other workarounds, these standalone pucks provide a low-latency connection for stereo audio, although most require additional steps to pair and operate. Bluetooth adapters retail $37 on Amazon, compatible with modern Xbox One controllers.
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Pair Up Your Airpods With Your Mobile Device
Get your AirPods out and pair them with the mobile device you are using for the Xbox app. Unless your AirPods are brand new, they should pair automatically when you put them in your ears, so this step is an easy one! Wait for the confirmation chime that the AirPods are connected, and check battery levels so you know that you have enough battery life for your gaming session. Heres our guide on setting up your AirPods.
How To Connect Airpods To Xbox Series X
Connect your AirPods to the Xbox Series X with the help of this guide!
The AirPods yields the Apple system which is different from the Xbox Series Xs Microsoft-made system. But both devices can actually work together pretty well, and this is with the help of a device made purposely to bridge the gap between the two.
This connection of the AirPods to the Xbox Series X enhances the players experience in terms of savoring the audio from the games and apps available in the latters system. They just need to have the proper equipment in order to do so.
So browse through this article to know how you can connect the AirPods to the Xbox Series X.
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So Without Bluetooth Support How To Connect Airpods To Xbox One
Well, since the Xbox One does not have Bluetooth capabilities, then there is no way to connect Airpods to Xbox One directly. The only way of getting wireless sound is through officially licensed products by Microsoft compatible with Xbox Wireless. Wrong. There is a way.
The only option left that you can get those Airpods to work is through your game controller itself. We already know that you can get sound from the controller directly by plugging headphones into the 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom of the controller or by using Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter accessory. So we know that the controller receives audio signals, but how do we channel it to a Bluetooth device? Simple. With the usage of a third-party adapter.
Sure, it is not the solution that you were looking for, having to spend money for some extra hardware, but it works. The only drawback is that usually, those Bluetooth adapters are transmitters only, which means they can only send out a signal, not receive them. Which would mean that you would not be able to use the mic portion of the Airpods.
Knowing this, if you absolutely need to use the mic functionality, an alternate way to chat online with your friends or team would be to use the Xbox App, which you can download on your Android or Apple phone through their respective app store.
Use The Bluetooth Adapter To Connect The Airpods To Xbox Series X

If you already have the Bluetooth adapter needed to connect the AirPods to the Xbox Series X, plug it into the audio jack located at the bottom of the Xbox controller.
Once done, you may turn it on and wait until it searches for the AirPods in its pairing mode. Hold the button at the back of the AirPods case and wait for the light to become solid. If it happens, both devices are now paired with one another.
You may now enjoy using the AirPods while playing games or using the apps in your Xbox Series X.
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Why Airpods Don’t Work With Xbox
A sizeable accessories ecosystem now supports Microsoft’s modern Xbox consoles, with some of the best Xbox headsets rivaling general-purpose headphones. These generally leverage the “Xbox Wireless” protocol, a proprietary connection designed for Xbox controllers and headsets. But the newest Xbox consoles still lack Bluetooth support, excluding many existing earbuds and headphones, including AirPods.
AirPods don’t work with Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S consoles with compatibility eradicated by their different wireless technologies. You’re generally best sticking to the official accessories, with viable wireless Xbox headsets in budget and premium price brackets.
However, there are several workarounds to use Bluetooth headphones with Xbox consoles, if required. The implementation isn’t seamless, but it’s the closest solution to official support if you need a quick headset alternative. All you need is a smartphone paired with your AirPods, plus the official Xbox app.
How To Connect Airpods With Ps4 Controller
Since you can not directly connect any version of AirPods, including the newest AirPods Pro to PS4, we will have to use a Bluetooth dongle. For this, we have opted for AirFly Pro from Twelve South, which we reviewed a while back.
Drawback: You can only hear the chat and other incoming sounds. You can not talk back as AirFly Pro can only transmit to the headphones. It can not receive your voice chat audio.
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If You Already Have Bluetooth Headphones
Before you decide to connect your existing Bluetooth headphones to an Xbox One, you need to nail down a purpose. Are you trying to enjoy game audio without waking up your neighbors or being distracted by their noise that seeps through your walls? Or are you trying to chat with friends as you play Halo 3 in co-op for the 400th time?
The reason that distinction matters is that non-Xbox Wireless devices can’t really do both. It’s one or the other. We’ll start with listening to game audio first. If you’re just trying to listen to your games, a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Xbox controller will do the trick. This one from Uberwith will run you $36, but Amazon reviews say it does its job by transmitting audio to Bluetooth headphones. They also note that it has a built-in microphone for voice chat since your headphones’ mic won’t work, but many reviews warn that the audio quality on that mic is terrible. You should probably only use it for listening, in other words.
It’s not great that people with Bluetooth headphones can’t just connect them to an Xbox One without spending at least a little bit of money and/or putting faith in third-party Bluetooth transmitters. That’s the reality of the situation, whether it’s because of Bluetooth latency or some other technical hurdles behind the scenes, but at least it’s possible. Here’s to hoping this isn’t a problem in six or seven years when more new consoles launch.
Pairing Apple Airpods With Your Xbox One
Once youve plugged in your Bluetooth adapter, youll need to put your AirPods into pairing mode. To do this, open the charging cases lid with the AirPods inside and hold the button on the back of the case. The activation of pairing mode will be indicated by a flashing white light in between the two AirPods.
Next, press the multi-function button on the Bluetooth adapter to put into pairing mode, too. The two devices should connect and you will be able to receive audio from the console wirelessly. If it doesnt work, check that your earphones havent automatically paired with any Apple device.
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Use A Bluetooth Adapter
You can purchase a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your Xbox controller. This will give it Bluetooth audio capabilities that means you can use your AirPods.
While this option is simple, it requires you to buy another device if you don’t already have one. It also doesnt always offer a reliable connection.
If You Have An Xbox Wireless
It will not long to explain how to connect a headset with Xbox Wireless capabilities to an Xbox One console. Simply find the pairing button on the headset and once it’s in pairing mode, press the pair button on the Xbox console itself. It’s the same as connecting a new controller to the console. Unless something bizarre happens, it should only take a few seconds.
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How To Connect Airpods To Xbox One
If you like the ease and simplicity of AirPods and always have them on hand, you may be wondering if you can use them with your Xbox One.
While they wont replace a proper gaming headset, theyre an easy option if you want to immerse yourself in a game.
Heres how to connect your Airpods to your Xbox One.
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