How to connect AirPods to PS4 or PS5

If you like AirPods and want to use them while gaming on your PS4 or PS5, you can do so with a little workaround and a word of warning.

You'll need to connect your headset to the console via the Bluetooth jack, and while you'll be able to hear everything that's happening in the game, you won't be able to communicate with other players.

This is what you should know:

What you need to connect AirPods to your PS4 or PS5

Since the PS4 and PS5 don't have built-in Bluetooth capabilities, you'll need an adapter to connect your AirPods to them.

Specifically, you'll need a Bluetooth adapter, which can be connected to the console via the USB port or the headphone jack.

Most Bluetooth dongles plug into the USB port on your console.

How to connect AirPods to your PS4 or PS5

1. Connect the Bluetooth adapter to your PS4 or PS5. Put it in pairing mode.

2. Open the AirPods case (with the AirPods still inside) and press and hold the sync button. Keep pressing the button until the Bluetooth adapter shows that the pairing is successful.

Press and hold the pairing button until the status light starts flashing.

quick tipMake sure your AirPods are charged before you try to connect them to your PS4. This also applies to battery-powered Bluetooth adapters.

3. On PS4 or PS5, go to Settings, then Devices, then Audio Devices.

4. Change the output device according to the settings (for example, "Headphones connected to the controller"). Switch the headphone output to all audio.

quick tipThe steps in this section can be used to connect your Bluetooth headset to PS4, not just AirPods.

Can I use AirPods to communicate with other players?

The short answer is no. Although the AirPods have a built-in microphone, the Bluetooth adapter will only send the audio from the console to the headphones.

If you want to be able to communicate with other players through your headset, you'll need to use a pair designed for PS4 or PS5.