Skip to main content

How to connect AirPods to Xbox Series X

how to clear cache on xbox series x
Xbox

Being able to hear the best Series X games clearly is almost as important as being able to see them. Your Xbox Series X can handle the visual aspects just fine, but audio is down to your own setup. In a lot of cases, you may be playing in a shared space where you can't get away with blasting your multiplayer games at maximum volume for full immersion, but also can't afford to invest in some expensive headsets. If you've already got a pair of AirPods laying around, those could be a great solution before all the upcoming Xbox games release, though it might seem impossible to pair them to your console. Luckily, there is a workaround you can take advantage of.

If you do happen to have a Bluetooth headset and need help connecting it to your Xbox, we've got you covered there as well.

Recommended Videos

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • AirPods

  • Any smart TV with Bluetooth

A Roku 75-inch Class Plus Series QLED 4K Smart Roku TV hanging on the wall.
Roku

How to connect AirPods via a smart TV

If you have a smart TV, odds are it will come equipped with its own Bluetooth receiver. We can use this to get around your console's lack of Bluetooth support.

Step 1: Go into your TV's settings and locate the Bluetooth menu. It will likely be labeled as a Sound or Bluetooth menu.

Step 2: Hold the pairing button on your AirPod case and wait for them to show up on your TV as an option.

Step 3: Connect your AirPods to the TV. This will play any audio that would normally come from the TV's speakers through your AirPods, including from your Xbox Series X.

There are also special Bluetooth adapters you can purchase and plug into your Xbox Series X controller to allow for Bluetooth compatibility if you do not have a smart TV and are willing to spend a little money to make it work.

Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over four years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things…
All cross-platform games (PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
Two squads of heroes clash in an Overwatch 2 trailer.

Cross-platform support is becoming more important in the world of video games. Multiplayer hits like Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and Fortnite have pushed crossplay into the limelight, and now most AAA multiplayer games release with at least partial cross-platform support. Finding every cross-platform game is no easy feat, though, so we did the hard work to bring you a comprehensive list of games that support crossplay.

Unfortunately, there aren't any rules when it comes to crossplay, so each game handles the feature a little differently. To make matters more confusing, certain backward-compatible games on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X still support crossplay on the most recent hardware, even if there isn't an official release for that hardware.

Read more
How to join the FragPunk closed beta
Key art shows Fragpunk characters.

One of the most anticipated upcoming Xbox games is the stylish and wacky FragPunk. Coming sometime in 2025, this hero shooter lets you change the game, literally, by activating various Shard Cards that can alter the game in hundreds of ways. Each game is meant to be fast, lasting a maximum of two and a half minutes, with one false move knocking you out. We're all eager to test out this cast of heroes and bend the game in our favor with cards, but the full release is still far off. That doesn't mean you can't get a taste of FragPunk early. A closed beta test is starting soon, so make sure you sign up to get a spot.

Read more
The best RPGs for Xbox Series X
Kiryu and Kasuga stand side by side in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

It is easy to make a list of the best games on Xbox Series X, but there's no denying it has struggled to find great RPGs. Typically, people look to the Xbox Series X for the best multiplayer games instead of deep role-playing experiences, but that has never been the full picture. There are tons of amazing RPGs in all styles console, from fantasy to sci-fi to anime. If you're ready to take a break from the best Series X FPS games and are feeling the itch for a new RPG, we've picked out the best from a range of titles that should fill the exact experience you're looking for.

On the other hand, you can always go in the opposite direction and check out the best fighting games for Xbox Series X, too.

Read more