How to Connect AirPods to a Smart TV
AirPods are extremely popular wireless earbuds, and while most people associate them with the Apple ecosystem, they can be used outside of that too. One common situation that appeals to many people is the idea of connecting AirPods to a smart TV, allowing for the use of the wireless headphones for watching a show, movie, or even playing video games with a console. This is entirely possible, as long as the TV you are looking to connect the AirPods too has Bluetooth functionality built-in to it, since AirPods rely on Bluetooth for connections as well.
And sometimes, while a TV itself may not have Bluetooth support, a streaming device attached to the TV may instead, like a Roku, FireStick, or even Apple TV.
How do I know if my TV can connect to AirPods?
The first thing you’re going to want to do is to make sure your TV has Bluetooth connectivity capabilities. If it does, you can easily connect your AirPods to that TV.
This is usually the case with most modern smart TV’s, but not all models have Bluetooth support.
If you’re not sure, find the exact make and model of your TV, and look it up with the manufacturer or a search, to see if Bluetooth is supported.
From the AirPods side of things, they are Bluetooth compatible and can therefore connect to just about any Bluetooth device by syncing to it.
It’s important to remember that since smart TV’s are not part of the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods setup will not be as simple and fluid as it is on say an iPhone or iPad, but it’s still super easy and handled like any other Bluetooth headphones or audio output device, like a speaker.
How to Use AirPods with a Smart TV
It’s important to remember that each smart TV and TV brand has a different user interface to access Settings and Bluetooth connections, and thus the exact process for accomplishing the AirPods to TV connection can be a little different per TV. The gist of it will be something like this, however:
- Turn on the TV and access the TV settings (this is often a series of dots, lines, or a gear icon on the TV remote)
- From the TV settings, look for Sound or Sound Output settings, or even Bluetooth settings
- Place the AirPods into pairing mode by keeping them in the case, and then opening the lid and pressing the button on the back of the AirPods case, this will cause a light on the case to start flashing white which demonstrates that it’s in pairing mode
- On the TV’s Bluetooth connection list, look for the AirPods and select them to pair
- Once AirPods are paired and synced with the smart TV, play a show, movie, or game on the TV to confirm that AirPods are now the sound output
If you’re using a Roku box, or an Amazon Firestick or Fire TV device, then you can typically access Bluetooth settings through those devices Settings as well.
What About Using AirPods with a Smart TV & Apple TV?
If you have an Apple TV connected to your TV, then using AirPods is as easy as it gets.
Press and hold the Play button at the Home Screen, and you’ll see a list of available sound output and speakers, where you can easily select your AirPods. It’s really that easy.
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The AirPods should work fine at this point, whether they’re AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max. If you are experiencing issues then you may find this guide on troubleshooting AirPods issues when they are not working as expected to be helpful for you.
While AirPods are really thought of as part of the Apple ecosystem – and they are – you can still use them with other hardware and devices that are not from Apple. Whether that’s a smart TV like we discuss here, or an Android phone or tablet, or even a Windows PC, you can treat them as Bluetooth headphones and connect to any Bluetooth capable device with audio output.
Do you use your AirPods with a smart TV, or another non-Apple device? What do you think of the experience? Was it easy to setup for you? Share with us in the comments your experiences, thoughts, and perspectives.
