How To Connect AirPods To Your PS5

The golden question becomes: Can you pair your Apple AirPods with your PlayStation 5 console? Well, you can’t connect, at least not natively. However, the same applies to other Bluetooth earphones. Sony didn’t allow the PS5 to support Bluetooth audio connections. While this might dampen your excitement for using wireless earbuds or headphones, some simple workarounds let you connect your AirPods with your PS5. This guide shows you how to connect AirPods to your PS5 via Bluetooth.

The steps mentioned in this guide work for all earbuds and headphones, including the best wireless headphones. After syncing, you can use your AirPods to talk to other PS5 gamers. You can also play games on your iOS or Android device via the PS Remote Play app.

Yes, you can connect your AirPods to your PS5, but it requires a bit of work

Compared to other peripherals that rely on external USB adapters, Bluetooth connectivity for gaming is more complex regarding audio. Gaming is fast-paced, and the current onboard Bluetooth standard doesn’t support a low enough latency to keep up with that demand. You end up with delayed audio sent to your headphones or earbuds, which throws off your PS5 gaming experience, and the in-game audio stays out of sync with the video.

This is why Sony has not allowed the PS5 to support Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. For the same reason, the Nintendo Switch dodged adding this feature for many years. Still, it added Bluetooth audio support via a system update. This was mainly due to popular demand from the users. However, the experience varies depending on the game and what you’re doing on the Switch. The feature is on that platform now, but many found it’s not as great as they hoped due to current Bluetooth limitations.

Limitations for AirPods connectivity

While the workaround allows you to use your AirPods with a PS5, you should know some limitations:

• Audio delay of 40-60ms
• No microphone functionality
• No noise-cancellation features
• Reduced battery life
• Shorter wireless range
• No 3D Audio support
• Basic stereo sound only

If you want an optimal gaming experience, we recommend looking into audio devices that support the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) profile and can connect directly. The only devices that work natively with the PS5 are the PlayStation Pulse 3D headset, USB headsets, wired headsets (plug directly into the DualSense controller’s 3.5mm jack), Inzone gaming headsets, and ones designed for the PS5.

AirPod pairing method 1: Use a Bluetooth USB adapter or dongle

Since you can’t tap into the built-in Bluetooth feature on your PS5 for audio, your best bet is to use a USB audio adapter or dongle. This involves purchasing a third-party USB device that connects to your PS5. Doing so lets you sync your AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or other Bluetooth headphones and earbuds with your PS5’s audio output. At the minimum, find a Bluetooth USB adapter that supports Bluetooth 5.0 to match your AirPods. This standard is common on modern earbuds and headphones and should be the default for many wireless adapters.

Also, ensure the adapter has a dedicated pairing button to be safe, as not all USB Bluetooth adapters offer the same feature. We recommend searching on Amazon for “Bluetooth 5.0 USB audio pairing button PS5” and seeing if anything fits your needs. The Avantree DG60P is our go-to solution for connecting Bluetooth headphones and earbuds to the PS5. It supports the Bluetooth 5.3 standard, has a long-range external antenna, and offers low latency using the Qualcomm aptX-Adaptive codec for compatible audio devices.

Another alternative is finding a USB-C Bluetooth wireless audio adapter. The PS5 has a USB-C port on the front. Getting one with Type-C allows maximum flexibility and compatibility with all modern devices. If you use it specifically for the PS5, ensure it fits correctly (some are designed for the Nintendo Switch). The PS5 also has a single USB-A port on the front. Avoid covering it with the USB-C Bluetooth wireless adapter.

AirPod pairing method 2: Use the Bluetooth feature on your smart TV

Source: Roku

There’s a second option if you don’t want to use a USB Bluetooth adapter. Many smart TVs have built-in Bluetooth support that works on all inputs. This means you can connect your AirPods to your TV and have the TV do the heavy lifting. The TV outputs the audio from the PS5 to the Bluetooth on your TV. Go into your TV’s settings menu and locate the Bluetooth feature. After connecting your AirPods to your TV, you’re ready to play on your PS5.

Time to pair your AirPods to your PS5

The pairing process is simple, but the steps vary depending on your chosen method. The sections below show how to pair your AirPods to your PS5 using a wireless USB adapter or a smart TV.

Using a USB wireless Bluetooth adapter or dongle

Most USB wireless Bluetooth adapters have a pairing button to sync your devices. It could also come with pairing instructions on how to do so. The process can vary based on the adapter brand or model you use. After successfully pairing your AirPods, switching the audio settings on your PS5 is easy.

Before proceeding to the steps below, you should know that Bluetooth adapters can cause potential audio latency issues. You might experience reduced sound quality, stuttering, or sudden audio dropouts.

Other problems could arise from incompatibility. Check that your audio settings on the PS5 are correct.

To get your AirPods working on the PS5 using a USB adapter, do the following:

1. Connect the USB adapter to the appropriate USB port on your PS5.
2. Turn on the PS5 and hold the USB adapter’s sync button. If your adapter doesn’t have a sync button, follow the instructions included with your USB wireless adapter.
3. Lift the lid on your AirPod charging case.
4. Hold the setup button on the back until the light flashes white to enter pairing mode. Keep your earbuds in the AirPods case during this step.
5. Sync your AirPods with your wireless USB Bluetooth adapter.
6. Press the PlayStation logo Home button on the DualSense controller.
7. Go to the Sound settings.
8. Select your USB wireless adapter under the Output Device section.
9. Your PS5 audio now outputs to your AirPods.

Using the Bluetooth feature on a smart TV

If you own a smart TV, you likely have the feature to use Bluetooth from the TV. This is a great workaround if you don’t want to use a USB adapter. Much like a wireless USB adapter, how you sync your audio devices can differ based on the TV manufacturer, brand, or model you use.

To get your AirPods working on the PS5 with your smart TV, check out the following:

1. Lift the lid on your AirPod charging case.
2. Hold the setup button on the back until the light flashes white. Keep your AirPods inside the case while doing this.
3. Go to your Bluetooth settings and select your AirPods. Check the instructions that came with your TV if you’re unsure how to do this.
4. Connect to your AirPods, and you’re ready to go.
5. Your PS5 audio now outputs to your AirPods.

What to do if you can’t hear audio through AirPods

If you cannot hear the audio through your earphones after connecting your AirPods using either of the above two methods, ensure that the correct device is set as Output on your PS5 console. To do this, go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output and select your smart TV or Bluetooth adapter as the output device.

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These workarounds are reliable methods for connecting your AirPods to your PS5 until Sony adds wireless headset support over Bluetooth. However, you will still face latency issues with your Bluetooth audio, so use a wired connection if you want the best sound quality. Also, you can’t use Apple AirPods as a mic on the PS5. You need a Bluetooth adapter that supports the feature, which not all adapters do.

If you want to expand the Netflix library of shows and movies or want to join a region-locked game beta, use a VPN with your PS5 to overcome that problem.