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How to Connect AirPods to PS5

Use your favorite headphones with the latest console

By Sam Costello Sam Costello Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 6, 2022 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email

In This Article

Expand Jump to a Section What You Need to Connect AirPods to PS5 How to Connect AirPods to PS5 What to Do if You Can't Hear Audio Can You Chat with Other Gamers on PS5 Using AirPods Frequently Asked Questions

What to Know

The PS5 doesn't support Bluetooth headphones like AirPods out of the box. You can add support with a Bluetooth adapter.Depending on how you connect the AirPods, you may only hear audio, not chat with other players.Bluetooth headphones have latency that reduces their performance and may not be acceptable for the most demanding gamers. This article explains how to connect AirPods to a PS5, including what you need to make the connection.

What You Need to Connect AirPods to PS5

It may seem hard to believe since the PS5 is the latest and greatest video game console, but it doesn't support Bluetooth audio when you first buy it. That means that you can't use any Bluetooth headphones—including AirPods—with the PlayStation 5 without purchasing an accessory. The PS5 does support some Bluetooth accessories, and the console can detect your AirPods or other headphones, but the pairing process breaks down at the final step. Epic fail! You can solve this limitation with an adapter that supports Bluetooth audio that plugs into the console. Luckily, there are many Bluetooth adapters, and they're all pretty inexpensive (think $50 or less). Adapters either plug into the USB ports on the PS5 or your TV or the headphone jack on the PS5 controller. They all work the same way, so get whichever accessory looks good to you. While this article explicitly covers connecting AirPods to PS5, these instructions work for any Bluetooth headphones (or another Bluetooth device).

How to Connect AirPods to PS5

To connect AirPods to PS5, follow these steps: Make sure your AirPods are charged. If your Bluetooth adapter plugs into the PS5 controller and therefore uses a battery, make sure it's charged, too. Adapters that plug into the PS5 or TV get their power from those devices and don't need to be charged. Connect the Bluetooth adapter to your PS5, TV, or controller. Put the Bluetooth adapter into pairing mode. Different devices enter pairing mode in slightly different ways, so check the instructions. Usually, a blinking light indicates that it's in pairing mode. Make sure the AirPods in their charging case, then open the case. Press and hold the button on the case. Hold the button on the AirPods case until the Bluetooth adapter's light turns solid. That indicates that the AirPods are paired to the adapter. Are your AirPods not syncing to your PS5 or another device? Check out our tips for what to do when AirPods don't connect. Put your AirPods in your ears. Try playing a game or doing something on the PS5 that plays audio. You should hear the audio from the PS5 in your AirPods.

What to Do if You Can' t Hear Audio

If you've followed the steps above and still can't hear anything from your AirPods, you should check to make sure they've paired to your PS5 correctly. From the Home screen, select Settings. Select Sound. Choose Audio Output. Select Output Device. On the next screen, select your Bluetooth device. You may also find useful settings under the Accessories section of Settings.

Can You Chat with Other Gamers on PS5 Using AirPods

There are two critical limitations when using AirPods and other Bluetooth headphones with the PS5. First, Bluetooth headphones generally have some latency—also known as delay—between the action onscreen and what you hear. That's due to how Bluetooth sends audio to the headphones. If you demand very high performance from your gaming, the audio latency with AirPods may be unacceptable. Second, even though AirPods have a mic (you can use AirPods to answer phone calls, after all), you can't use them to chat with other gamers. For that, you'll need headsets made for the PS5 or a Bluetooth adapter that has a microphone to plug into the PlayStation controller. If you want to spring for a deluxe setup, you can also try Apple's high-end AirPods Max headphones. They have a headphone cable that can connect the AirPods Max to the PS5 controller. Just make sure to change the correct settings for audio output and microphone input. Have a PS4? Here's how to connect AirPods to your PS4 instead.
How to Connect AirPods to Roku TV FAQ How do I connect a PS4 controller to my PS5? Plug the PS4 controller into your PlayStation 5 to pair it. You can play all PS4 games with the PS4 or PS5 controller, but you can't play PS5 games with a PS4 controller.
How do I connect a PS5 controller to my iPhone? To connect a PS5 controller to your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth on the iPhone, then hold Share+PlayStation on your controller. When your device appears under Other Devices, tap to pair it.
Is there an official PS5 headset? Yes. The Pulse 3D wireless headset made by Sony is designed to deliver optimal 3D audio for the PS5. Can I connect AirPods to my PS5 without an adapter? No. The PS5 controller isn't configured to work with AirPods by default, so you have to use an adapter. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect AirPods to PS4 How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to PS4 How to Connect AirPods to Kindle Fire How to Connect AirPods to a Windows 10 PC How to Connect AirPods to an HP Laptop How to Use a PS5 Controller on Your PC or Mac How to Connect AirPods to Zoom How to Add Bluetooth Adapter to Your TV How to Fix It When a PS5 Controller Won't Sync How to Connect AirPods to a MacBook Air 6 Ways to Fix It When AirPods Won't Connect or Go Into Pairing Mode How to Connect AirPods With an Apple TV How to Sync a PS5 Controller How to Connect AirPods to Chromebook How to Fix It When One AirPod Is Not Working What Are AirPods and How Do They Work? Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies