Connect AirPods through the Settings menu

To connect your AirPods to Apple TV, open Settings on your Apple TV home screen, then go to Remotes and Devices and select Bluetooth. Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case until the light flashes white — this usually takes about 15 seconds. Your AirPods should appear in the list on your TV screen within a few seconds. Select them to complete the connection.

Once connected, your AirPods will stay paired to that Apple TV. The next time you want to use them with the same TV, they will connect automatically when you take them out of the case, as long as Bluetooth is still on.

Key Takeaways

  • Put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the case until the light flashes white, then select them from the Bluetooth menu on your Apple TV.
  • Your AirPods will reconnect automatically to the same Apple TV each time you take them out of the case, without needing to pair them again.
  • You can switch your AirPods between your Apple TV and other Apple devices by selecting them from the audio menu on each device.
  • If your AirPods do not appear in the Bluetooth list, restart both the AirPods and your Apple TV, then try pairing again.

What to do if your AirPods don't show up

If your AirPods are not appearing in the Bluetooth list, first make sure they are fully charged and in pairing mode. The light on the back of the case should flash white — if it flashes amber, the battery is low. Close the case and wait a few seconds, then open it again and hold the button for 15 seconds until the light flashes white.

If they still do not appear, restart your Apple TV. Go to Settings, select System, then Restart. While the TV is restarting, put your AirPods back in pairing mode. Once the TV finishes restarting, go back to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and try again.

Switching AirPods between devices

If you use the same AirPods with multiple Apple devices — an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or another Apple TV — they will usually switch automatically to whichever device you are actively using. When you start playing audio on a different device, your AirPods will disconnect from the Apple TV and connect to that device instead.

You can also switch manually by opening the Control Center on your iPhone or iPad, tapping the audio card at the top, and selecting your AirPods from the list of available devices. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and select your AirPods again to reconnect them.

Using AirPods with multiple Apple TVs

Your AirPods can be paired with more than one Apple TV. Each pairing is stored separately, so you can use the same AirPods with an Apple TV in your living room and a different one in your bedroom without unpairing them from either device.

To connect to a different Apple TV, put your AirPods in pairing mode again and follow the same steps through the Bluetooth menu. Your AirPods will remember both pairings. When you take them out of the case near one TV, they will connect to whichever Apple TV they were most recently paired with — if you want to switch to the other TV, you can manually select it from the Bluetooth menu.

Audio output and volume control

Once your AirPods are connected, the audio from your Apple TV will play through them automatically. You can control the volume using the volume buttons on your Apple TV remote, or by using the volume controls on your AirPods themselves if you have AirPods Pro or AirPods Max.

If you want to switch back to your TV's built-in speakers, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and select None or Apple TV Speaker. This will disconnect your AirPods without unpairing them, so you can reconnect them later without going through the pairing process again.

Troubleshooting connection drops

If your AirPods keep disconnecting from your Apple TV, the most common cause is that they are connecting to another Apple device nearby. Check your iPhone or iPad to see if your AirPods have switched to one of those devices. If they have, disconnect them from that device first, then reconnect them to your Apple TV.

Another cause can be interference from other wireless devices. If you have a Wi-Fi router, cordless phone, or microwave running near your Apple TV, try moving them farther apart. If the problem continues, restart both your AirPods and your Apple TV as described in the troubleshooting section above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPods with older Apple TV models?

AirPods work with Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later) and Apple TV HD (2015 and later). If you have an older model, check your Apple TV settings to confirm which generation you own. Older models do not have Bluetooth support for audio devices.

Do I need to unpair my AirPods from my iPhone to use them with Apple TV?

No. Your AirPods can be paired with multiple devices at the same time. They will automatically switch to whichever device is actively playing audio, or you can manually select which device to connect to.

Why do my AirPods keep connecting to my iPhone instead of my Apple TV?

Your AirPods connect to whichever Apple device is closest and most recently active. If your iPhone is nearby and you have used it recently, your AirPods will prefer it. To force them to connect to your Apple TV, disconnect them from your iPhone first, or move your iPhone farther away.

Can I use non-Apple wireless headphones with my Apple TV?

Yes. Most Bluetooth headphones and earbuds can pair with Apple TV through the same Bluetooth menu. Put your headphones in pairing mode, then select them from Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth.