AirPods are wireless earbuds manufactured by Apple, which have become increasingly popular. Xbox One is a popular gaming console developed by Microsoft, providing users with an immersive gaming experience. However, if you want to enjoy gaming without disturbing others or immersing yourself fully in the experience, you can connect your AirPods to your Xbox One.
Many users may have problems with this. The thing is that your AirPods can’t connect directly to your Xbox One. However, you can use a few tricks to output audio from your Xbox to your AirPods. Let’s take a closer look at how this works.
Can you connect AirPods to Xbox?
It is impossible to directly connect AirPods to an Xbox One console because the Xbox One does not support Bluetooth audio connections. AirPods use Bluetooth to connect to other devices, but the Xbox One only supports Bluetooth connections for controllers and not for audio devices.
However, you can use a third-party Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the Xbox One’s controller port to connect AirPods or any other Bluetooth headphones or speakers. The transmitter will bridge the Xbox One and your AirPods, allowing you to hear game audio and chat through your AirPods. Remember that you may experience some latency, and the sound quality may not be as good as it would be with a wired headset.
There is also another way that does not require you to spend extra money, but will be less convenient. You can connect AirPods to your smartphone and run Xbox remote play. In this case, everything that happens on your console screen will be broadcasted to your smartphone or tablet, and you will be able to hear the sound on your AirPods using this method. However, you should be aware that, in this case, you will encounter a delay.
Alternatively, you can use wired headphones with an Xbox One by plugging them into the controller’s 3.5mm jack or using an Xbox headset adapter. This will provide the best sound quality and minimize any latency issues.
How to use AirPods with Xbox One with Bluetooth transmitter
A Bluetooth transmitter is a small device that allows you to wirelessly connect audio sources that do not have built-in Bluetooth functionality to Bluetooth-enabled audio devices, such as headphones, speakers, or soundbars. Some Bluetooth transmitters also support two-way audio communication, allowing you to use them for video chats, online gaming, or phone calls.
Bluetooth transmitters typically connect to audio sources through a wired connection, such as a 3.5mm audio jack or an RCA cable, and have a built-in battery that can last for several hours of use. Some transmitters also offer advanced features such as low-latency audio transmission, multi-point pairing, and aptX codec support, which can improve audio quality and reduce latency.
To use AirPods with your Xbox One, you’ll need to get yourself a transmitter that supports low-latency Bluetooth audio connections. Examples include the Avantree Leaf, TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter and Receiver, and ZIIDOO Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter and Receiver. After that, follow these instructions:
- Plug the Bluetooth transmitter into the Xbox One’s USB or controller port, depending on the model of the transmitter.
- Turn on your AirPods and put them in pairing mode. You can do this by opening the AirPods case and pressing and holding the button on the back until the LED light on the front starts flashing.
- Pair the AirPods with a Bluetooth transmitter by following the transmitter’s pairing instructions. This typically involves pressing and holding a button on the transmitter until the LED light starts flashing, selecting the transmitter from your Xbox One’s Bluetooth settings, and entering the pairing code.
- Set the Xbox One’s audio output to the Bluetooth transmitter. To do this, go to Settings > Display & Sound > Audio Output and select the Bluetooth transmitter as the audio output device.
- Adjust the volume on your AirPods or the Bluetooth transmitter as needed.
Once you have completed these steps, you should be able to hear game audio and chat through your AirPods. Remember that you may experience some latency, and the sound quality may not be as good as it would be with a wired headset.
How to connect AirPods to Xbox One via Remote Play
First, you must ensure your Xbox console is ready for remote playback through the console settings app.
- Press the Xbox button on your gamepad to open the Guide menu on your Xbox console.
- Then, go to the Profile & System tab and choose Settings.
- After that, select the “Devices and Connections” tab.
- Select Remote Options. Make sure the Enable Remote Options checkbox is selected.
When your Xbox console is ready to play remotely, you can stream gameplay to your phone wirelessly. The Xbox app allows players to stream with low latency from their Xbox One, including sound.
- Connect your AirPods to your iOS or Android device.
- Open the Xbox app on your phone or tablet. If you don’t have the Xbox app, it’s available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for Android.
- Select the Xbox console icon in the upper right corner.
- Select Remote Play from this device. Video and audio from your Xbox console will now be streamed to your iPhone or Android.
Streaming will provide video output from your Xbox console, which also acts as an end-to-end audio stream for your connected AirPods. You can expect low-latency and latency-free audio for gaming, though less smooth than the desired official Bluetooth support. After connecting your AirPods using these steps, set your phone aside for the duration of your gaming session.
What wireless headphones work with the Xbox One
Not all wireless headphones are compatible with the Xbox One, as the console does not support Bluetooth audio connections. However, some wireless headphones are designed specifically for the Xbox One or can be used with the console using a wireless adapter or a wired connection. Here are some examples of wireless headphones that work with the Xbox One:
- Xbox Wireless Headsets: Microsoft produces a line of wireless gaming headsets designed explicitly for the Xbox One. These include the Xbox Wireless Headset and the Xbox Wireless Headset with Bluetooth.
- SteelSeries Arctis 9X: The Arctis 9X is a wireless gaming headset that uses Xbox Wireless technology to connect directly to the Xbox One without needing a separate adapter. It also has a 3.5mm audio jack for wired connections.
- Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2: The Stealth 700 Gen 2 is a wireless gaming headset that uses Xbox Wireless technology to connect directly to the Xbox One without needing a separate adapter. It also has Bluetooth connectivity for use with mobile devices.
- Astro A50 Wireless: The Astro A50 Wireless is a premium wireless gaming headset that uses a wireless base station to connect to the Xbox One. It also has a 3.5mm audio jack for wired connections.
- Razer Nari Ultimate: The Razer Nari Ultimate is a wireless gaming headset that uses a USB dongle to connect to the Xbox One. It also has a 3.5mm audio jack for wired connections.
Remember that some of these headphones may require additional setup or configuration to work with the Xbox One. Wired connections may offer better sound quality and lower latency than wireless connections.
