How to Connect AirPods to Apple TV: 3 Easy Methods

The fastest way to connect AirPods to Apple TV is to select them from Control Center when the headphones and Apple TV use the same Apple Account. If they do not appear there, put the AirPods in pairing mode and add them in Bluetooth settings. You can also switch to AirPods from the Audio Output menu after they are paired.

These steps apply to Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K. Update tvOS if a menu or button looks different, and charge your AirPods before pairing.

1. Connect through Control Center

If your AirPods are already set up with an iPhone, iPad, or Mac signed in to the same Apple Account as your Apple TV, they should be available to use with Apple TV. This is usually the quickest option because you do not have to put the AirPods into Bluetooth pairing mode.

1. Put on your AirPods, or open the charging case with the earbuds inside. For AirPods Max, take the headphones out of their Smart Case.
2. On the Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote, press and hold the TV button to open Control Center.
3. Select the Audio Controls button, then choose your AirPods from the list.
4. Play a video or song to confirm that sound is coming through the headphones.

Apple TV may also show a prompt when you put on AirPods while your profile is active. Press and hold the TV button and follow the prompt to connect. To return sound to the television, open Control Center again and select the TV speakers or another output. If you do not see AirPods, use the Bluetooth method below.

2. Pair AirPods in Apple TV Bluetooth settings

Use manual pairing if the AirPods are not available through the shared Apple Account, or if you are connecting them to this Apple TV for the first time. Keep the AirPods near the television and leave the Apple TV Bluetooth screen open while you put the headphones in pairing mode.

1. On Apple TV, open Settings, then choose Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth.
2. Put your AirPods into pairing mode using the instructions for your model:

• AirPods 1, 2, or 3; AirPods Pro 1 or 2: Open the case, then press and hold the setup button on the back for about five seconds, until the status light flashes white.

  

• AirPods 4 or 5; AirPods Pro 3: Open the case with the AirPods inside and hold it near Apple TV. Double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white.

  

• AirPods Max: Press and hold the listening-mode button for about five seconds, until the status light flashes white.

  

3. When your AirPods appear under Headphones or in the nearby-device list, select them.
4. Wait for Apple TV to finish connecting, then test playback.

The pairing gesture depends on the AirPods model: some cases have a rear setup button, while newer cases use a double-tap on the front. AirPods Max uses its listening-mode button. Apple lists the current model-specific steps in its AirPods pairing guide.

3. Choose AirPods from Audio Output

If your AirPods are already paired with Apple TV, you can switch the sound output from Settings instead of opening Control Center. This changes where audio plays; it does not replace the initial Bluetooth pairing steps.

1. Open Settings on Apple TV.
2. Go to Video and Audio > Audio Output.
3. Select your AirPods from the available headphones or speakers.

To listen through the TV again, return to the same menu and choose the TV speakers or your preferred sound system. Apple’s current guide documents Audio Output as the setting for choosing TV speakers, headphones, or other speakers; the exact options shown depend on your Apple TV and connected equipment.

If AirPods do not appear or connect

• Check the Apple Account. For the quick Control Center route, Apple TV must be signed in to the same Apple Account associated with the AirPods. Otherwise, pair them manually in Bluetooth settings.
• Check pairing mode and battery. Charge the AirPods, keep them close to Apple TV, and confirm the status light is flashing white. Make sure you are using the button or gesture for your exact model.
• Reconnect a saved pair. If Apple TV lists the AirPods but will not connect, select the device in Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth, choose Forget This Device, and pair again.

  

• Update and retry. Install the latest tvOS update, restart Apple TV, and try pairing again. Apple recommends checking charge, range, and software when a Bluetooth accessory will not connect.

For model-specific help, see Apple’s Bluetooth accessory instructions for Apple TV and AirPods connection troubleshooting.

What to expect after connecting

Apple TV routes its audio to the selected headphones, so TV speakers may stop playing while AirPods are connected. Depending on the AirPods model and Apple TV hardware, Control Center may also offer settings such as Noise Control or Spatial Audio. Apple notes that available features vary by model and region. See Apple’s guide to using AirPods with Apple TV 4K for the current controls.

Share Apple TV audio with a second pair

Apple TV 4K can send audio to up to two pairs of compatible AirPods or Beats headphones. After connecting the first pair, press and hold the TV button to open Control Center, go to the AirPods controls, select Share Audio, and follow the onscreen steps to connect the second pair. This feature is specific to Apple TV 4K; availability and headphone controls vary by model.

For most people, the same-Apple-Account shortcut is easiest. Use Bluetooth settings when AirPods are missing from Control Center, then use Audio Output whenever you want to switch between headphones and TV speakers. For two listeners, use Share Audio on Apple TV 4K.