The basic connection process

To connect your AirPod Max to Apple TV, put the headphones into pairing mode, then select them from your TV's Bluetooth menu. The process takes about a minute and works the same way whether you're using Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, or the original Apple TV box.

Start by making sure your AirPod Max are charged and nearby — within 10 feet of your Apple TV. Press and hold the noise control button (the one on the left ear cup) until you see a white light flash on the headphones. This means they're in pairing mode and ready to connect.

On your Apple TV, go to Settings, then Remotes and Devices, then Bluetooth. Your AirPod Max should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Select them, and the pairing will complete automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Put AirPod Max into pairing mode by holding the noise control button until the white light flashes.
  • Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth on your Apple TV and select the headphones from the list.
  • Once paired, your AirPod Max will reconnect automatically when you turn them on near your TV in the future.
  • If the headphones don't appear in the Bluetooth list, restart both the AirPod Max and your Apple TV, then try again.
  • You can pair AirPod Max with multiple Apple TV devices, but they will only connect to one at a time.

What to do if they don't appear in the Bluetooth list

If your AirPod Max don't show up in the Bluetooth menu after you put them in pairing mode, the most common fix is to restart both devices. On the AirPod Max, hold the noise control button for about 15 seconds until you see an amber light, then release. This forces a restart. Wait 10 seconds, then hold the button again until the white light appears — the headphones are now in pairing mode again.

On your Apple TV, go to Settings, then System, then Restart. Wait for the TV to fully boot back up, then return to the Bluetooth menu and look for your AirPod Max again. They should appear within 10 seconds.

If they still don't show up, move the headphones closer to the Apple TV — sometimes a weak Bluetooth signal or interference from other devices can prevent them from appearing. Also check that your AirPod Max have at least 20 percent battery remaining; they won't enter pairing mode if the battery is too low.

Reconnecting after the first pairing

Once you've paired your AirPod Max with your Apple TV, they will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on while the TV is nearby. You don't need to go back into the Bluetooth menu or repeat the pairing process.

If your AirPod Max connect to a different device instead — like your iPhone or Mac — they won't automatically switch to the Apple TV. To force them to connect to your TV, go back to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth on the Apple TV and select the headphones again. They will disconnect from the other device and pair with the TV.

Audio and volume control while using AirPod Max with Apple TV

Once connected, your AirPod Max will play all audio from the Apple TV — movies, shows, apps, and menu sounds. You control the volume using the Digital Crown on the right ear cup. Rotate it forward to turn the volume up, backward to turn it down. The volume level on the headphones is independent from the TV's speaker volume.

If you want to switch back to your TV's built-in speakers without disconnecting the headphones, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and select None under the audio output. Your AirPod Max will stay paired but won't receive audio. To switch back to the headphones, select them again from the same menu.

Pairing AirPod Max with multiple Apple TV devices

You can pair your AirPod Max with more than one Apple TV, but they will only actively connect to one device at a time. When you turn on the headphones, they will automatically connect to whichever Apple TV they were last paired with.

To pair them with a second Apple TV, put the headphones back into pairing mode (hold the noise control button until the white light flashes) and repeat the Bluetooth pairing process on the new TV. The headphones will remember both TVs, and you can switch between them by manually selecting the headphones in the Bluetooth menu on whichever TV you want to use.

Troubleshooting persistent connection problems

"Forgetting" the headphones and re-pairing them from scratch often fixes connection issues that restart doesn't solve. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth, find your AirPod Max in the list, and select the information icon (the small circle with an "i"). Choose Forget This Device.

Then put your AirPod Max back into pairing mode and pair them again as if it were the first time. This clears out any corrupted pairing data and usually restores a stable connection. If the problem persists after this step, the issue may be with your Apple TV's Bluetooth hardware, and you may need to contact Apple Support or consider a different audio output method.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPod Max with Apple TV if they're already connected to my iPhone?

No — AirPod Max can only connect to one device at a time. If they're connected to your iPhone, you'll need to disconnect them there first or manually select them in the Apple TV Bluetooth menu to switch them over. Once you do, they'll disconnect from your phone.

Do I need to unpair my AirPod Max from my Apple TV when I'm done watching?

No. You can straightforward turn off the headphones or walk away, and they'll stay paired. The next time you turn them on near your TV, they'll reconnect automatically. You only need to unpair them if you want to pair them with a different device permanently.

Why does the audio cut out or lag when I use AirPod Max with Apple TV?

Bluetooth interference or distance can cause this. Move closer to your Apple TV, and check that no other devices are actively using Bluetooth nearby. If the problem continues, restart both the headphones and the TV, or forget and re-pair them as described in the troubleshooting section.

Will AirPod Max work with older Apple TV models?

AirPod Max will pair with Apple TV 4K (all generations), Apple TV HD, and the original Apple TV box, as long as the device has Bluetooth capability. If you have a very old Apple TV model without Bluetooth, you won't be able to connect them wirelessly.