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How to Use AirPods on PS5: Three Ways to Hear Game Audio

AirPods cannot pair directly with PS5, but a compatible USB Bluetooth transmitter or Bluetooth-capable TV can route game audio to them. Microphone and party-chat support vary.
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You can hear PlayStation 5 audio through AirPods, but you cannot pair them directly with the PS5 as a Bluetooth headset. The most direct workaround is a compatible USB Bluetooth audio transmitter. You can also pair AirPods with a Bluetooth-audio-capable TV, or use a suitable wired connection for compatible headphones. These options do not all provide microphone or party-chat support.

Can you connect AirPods directly to a PS5?

No. PlayStation’s PS5 compatibility FAQ says third-party wireless headsets that use Bluetooth are unsupported. That means AirPods will not connect through the PS5’s Bluetooth settings like they would with a phone. PlayStation says most USB and analog headsets are supported, which is why a USB audio transmitter or a wired connection can be a workaround.

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Choose the connection that fits your setup

Option What you need What it can provide Things to check
USB Bluetooth audio transmitter A transmitter compatible with your console and AirPods Game audio; microphone and party-chat support depend on the transmitter PS5 compatibility, USB connector type, and the product’s chat and microphone specifications
TV Bluetooth audio output A TV that supports Bluetooth audio output Audio sent by the TV, typically including game sound; chat input may not be available Your TV’s Bluetooth audio support and how it handles console audio
Wired controller connection A suitable cable and headphones that support wired audio Audio through the controller; AirPods themselves do not have a standard wired audio input Whether the headphones and cable work with the controller

The transmitter route is usually the most direct way to use AirPods for PS5 game audio. None of these options should be assumed to support AirPods microphone input or party chat without confirmation from the device maker.

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Connect AirPods to PS5 with a USB Bluetooth transmitter

  1. Choose a USB Bluetooth audio transmitter whose manufacturer specifies compatibility with your PlayStation model. Check the USB connector type and whether it supports the microphone or chat features you need. There is no single adapter established as universally compatible.
  2. Connect the transmitter to the PS5’s USB port, then put it into pairing mode according to its instructions. Button sequences and indicators vary by model.
  3. Put the AirPods into pairing mode using their instructions, then complete pairing with the transmitter. The transmitter—not the PS5’s Bluetooth settings—handles the Bluetooth connection.
  4. If audio does not play through the AirPods automatically, open the PS5 audio output settings and select the connected USB audio device. See PlayStation’s guide to changing PS5 audio output settings.

A transmitter can send game audio without necessarily supporting the AirPods’ microphone. Check its specifications for voice chat and microphone support rather than assuming that successful pairing includes those features.

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Use AirPods with a Bluetooth-capable TV

  1. Check the TV’s manual or audio settings to confirm that it supports Bluetooth audio output. Not every TV does.
  2. Open the TV’s Bluetooth or audio-output settings and pair the AirPods there, following the TV and AirPods instructions.
  3. Set the TV to play sound from the PS5’s input. If the TV does not offer Bluetooth output, this route is unavailable.

This sends the TV’s audio to the AirPods rather than connecting them to the console. Whether it carries game sound depends on the TV setup, and pairing through the TV may not provide a way to speak in PlayStation party chat.

Can you use a wired connection instead?

Sony says Bluetooth headphones that also support a wired connection can connect to a DualSense or DualShock 4 controller with a suitable cable; see its wired-headphone guidance. This is an option for compatible headphones, not a way to plug standard AirPods directly into the controller: AirPods do not have a conventional headphone jack or wired audio input.

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What about PS Portal?

PS Portal has its own supported audio options. PlayStation’s accessory guide lists PlayStation Link audio devices and headsets or earbuds compatible with a 3.5 mm audio input. Do not assume that a PS5 USB transmitter or AirPods pairing method will work with Portal; check the Portal’s supported options for your setup.

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Troubleshoot missing audio or chat

  • AirPods do not appear in PS5 Bluetooth settings: this is expected for third-party Bluetooth headsets. Pair them with a compatible USB transmitter or, if supported, the TV instead.
  • The transmitter pairs, but sound still comes from the TV: check PS5 audio output settings and select the connected USB audio device.
  • There is game sound but no party-chat microphone: successful Bluetooth audio pairing does not establish microphone support. Check the transmitter’s specifications for microphone and console chat support.
  • The TV route is unavailable: confirm that the TV supports Bluetooth audio output; otherwise use a compatible transmitter or suitable wired headphones.

PlayStation’s direct-Bluetooth compatibility guidance is in its PS5 FAQ, published in 2020; system support can change, so check current PlayStation support information if your console behaves differently.

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