Can you connect AirPods to PS5?

If you’re wondering if you can connect your AirPods to your PS5 – look no further.

AirPods and PS5. Both giants of their own field. It seems like a match made in heaven.

Many gamers agree and have tried to link the two. However, everyone has run into the same problem that for some reason their AirPods will not connect to their PS5 with the sort of ease we have come to expect from AirPods.

So, what’s the problem? Let’s have a look.

Can you connect AirPods to PS5?

The official answer here is no, AirPods are not compatible with PS5. This is because audio on the PS5 is not supported by Bluetooth. While the PS5 does use Bluetooth to allow you to connect accessories like mice keyboards and controllers, audio is where PS5 draws the line.

The main reason for this is overcrowding in the frequency band. Bluetooth 5 (which the PS5 transmits audio through) operates within a 2.4 GHz band. Unfortunately, so does pretty much everything else. Microwaves, garage doors, baby monitors: you name it, it’s on the 2.4 GHz band. With all of that transmission, it’s no wonder the band gets crowded. This results in audio delay, lagging and static.

However, as always, there are hacks to work around this.

How to connect AirPods to PS5

There are two ‘hacks’ you can use to work around the AirPods/PS5 incompatibility issue. The first solution is to connect your AirPods with a Bluetooth adapter. The second is to connect your AirPods using a Smart TV. The only downside is that neither hack will allow you to chat in-game using the AirPod mic.

This means that the recent launch of Discord on PS5 isn’t going to supported by AirPods, which is just disappointing really.

With that in mind let’s take a look at the first option:

Connect your AirPods with a Bluetooth adapter.

Here’s our step by step guide on how to connect your AirPods to your PS5 using a Bluetooth adapter.

Note: Make sure whatever Bluetooth adapter you go for is Bluetooth 5.0 or higher. Bluetooth 4.0 is not compatible to PS5 and your AirPods will not connect.

Here are some options available that you might be interested in:

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Part 1 – Connecting your AirPods

1. Make sure your AirPods are fully charged and your PS5 is plugged in.
2. Put your AirPods in their charging case.
3. Locate the PS5’s USB port, then plug the Bluetooth adapter in.
4. Some adapters will have a pairing button. If yours does then press that. If yours does not, then proceed directly to step 5.
5. Open the lid of the AirPods case. Don’t remove the AirPods from within.
6. Press the set up button on the back of the case. This will activate the pairing mode.
7. A blinking white light should begin. Blinking means the process is still ongoing. When the light stops blinking and becomes a continuous white light, this means the AirPods have paired.

Part 2 – Enabling your AirPods

1. Make sure your DualSense Controller is fully charged and your PS5 is plugged in.
2. Press the Playstation button in the centre of your controller. It should be between the analog sticks. The quick menu will open up on your screen.
3. Once in quick menu press Sound > Output Device > then select your AirPods.
4. If you can’t see your AirPods listed, this may be because your Bluetooth adapter is listed instead. If it is, select that.
5. Quit quick menu.

You’re all set!

Connect AirPods using Smart TV

While the Bluetooth adapter ‘hack’ is a super easy solution to an irritating problem, we know that not everyone will want to drop cash on buying a Bluetooth adapter. To get around that we’ve found another super easy way to connect your AirPods to your PS5 by using a Smart TV instead.

Here’s how:

1. Make sure your AirPods are fully charged and your PS5 is plugged in.
2. Go to your TV’s home screen.
3. Select Settings > Sound > Sound Output > Bluetooth Speaker List.
4. Open the lid of your AirPods case, keeping your AirPods inside.
5. Press the set-up button in the centre of the back of the AirPods case. This will activate pairing mode.
6. Your AirPods will appear in the Bluetooth Speaker List. Select them.
7. A prompt box will appear telling you that your AirPods have connected. Press OK.

If you’re a dedicated gamer you will have made sure that your gaming set up is the best it can be. This hack should work on most of the TVs listed in our TV’s for PS5, but keep in mind the specific prompts and process may differ slightly between models.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will AirPods be supported in a future update to the PS5?

It’s unlikely that a software update to the PS5 can rectify this as it’s more of a hardware limitation than software. It’s possible that future PS5s could launch with 5.2GHz connectivity bands, however there’s no substance to this desire.