Connect AirPods Max to Apple TV in Settings

To connect your AirPods Max to Apple TV, go to Settings on your TV, select Airplay and Devices, then Bluetooth. Put your AirPods Max into pairing mode by pressing and holding the noise control button on the left ear cup until you see the pairing indicator light. Your AirPods Max will appear in the Bluetooth list on your TV — select them to complete the connection.

Once paired, your AirPods Max will connect automatically the next time you turn them on near your Apple TV. You do not need to repeat the pairing process unless you unpair them or reset the headphones.

The entire process takes about two minutes. Make sure your Apple TV is running tvOS 17.1 or later for the smoothest compatibility with AirPods Max.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings on your Apple TV, navigate to Airplay and Devices, then select Bluetooth to find your AirPods Max.
  • Press and hold the noise control button on the left ear cup of your AirPods Max until the pairing light appears.
  • Select your AirPods Max from the Bluetooth list on your TV to complete pairing.
  • After the first pairing, your AirPods Max will reconnect automatically whenever they are powered on near your Apple TV.

What to Do If Your AirPods Max Don't Appear in Bluetooth

If your AirPods Max are not showing up in the Bluetooth list, make sure they are charged to at least 10 percent battery. Low battery can prevent them from entering pairing mode. Also confirm that Bluetooth is turned on in your Apple TV settings — go back to Airplay and Devices and check that Bluetooth is enabled.

If the headphones still do not appear, restart your AirPods Max by holding down the noise control button for about 15 seconds until you hear a sound and the light flashes. Then try pairing again. If your Apple TV is still not detecting them, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in.

Switching Between Devices

AirPods Max can be paired to multiple devices, but they can only play audio from one at a time. To switch from your Apple TV to another device like an iPhone or Mac, open Control Center on that device and tap the audio output icon, then select your AirPods Max.

To switch back to Apple TV, use your TV remote to go to Settings, select Airplay and Devices, then Bluetooth, and choose your AirPods Max again. The switch usually takes a few seconds.

Adjusting Volume and Sound Settings

Once connected, control the volume using the Digital Crown on your AirPods Max — rotate it forward to increase volume and backward to decrease it. You can also use your Apple TV remote to adjust volume, and the AirPods Max will respond to those commands.

To access audio settings specific to your AirPods Max, go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Airplay and Devices, then Audio and Language. From there you can choose mono audio if needed or adjust other sound preferences. These settings explore only when your AirPods Max are connected.

Disconnecting or Unpairing Your AirPods Max

To temporarily disconnect your AirPods Max without unpairing them, straightforward turn off the headphones or move them out of Bluetooth range. They will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on near your Apple TV.

To permanently unpair your AirPods Max from your Apple TV, go to Settings, select Airplay and Devices, then Bluetooth. Find your AirPods Max in the list and select the information icon next to them. Choose Forget This Device. You will need to pair them again using the pairing mode process if you want to reconnect later.

Troubleshooting Audio Lag or Dropouts

If you notice a delay between the video and audio, or if the sound cuts out, first check that your AirPods Max battery is above 20 percent. Low battery can cause connection instability. Move closer to your Apple TV — Bluetooth range is typically 30 feet, but obstacles like walls or metal objects can reduce it.

If lag persists, disconnect any other Bluetooth devices near your Apple TV, as they can interfere with the connection. Restart your AirPods Max and your Apple TV if the problem continues. If you are streaming video from the internet, a weak Wi-Fi signal on your TV can also cause audio sync issues, so check your network connection as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Your AirPods Max can be paired to both your iPhone and Apple TV at the same time. They will play audio from whichever device you are actively using. To switch between them, use the audio output menu on each device.

Can I use AirPods Max with older Apple TV models?

AirPods Max work with Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) and later, and Apple TV HD (2nd generation) and later, as long as the software is updated to tvOS 17.1 or newer. Check your Apple TV model in Settings under About to confirm compatibility.

What if my AirPods Max keep disconnecting from Apple TV?

Frequent disconnections usually mean low battery, interference from other devices, or a software issue. Charge your AirPods Max fully, move other Bluetooth devices away from your TV, and restart both the headphones and your Apple TV. If disconnections continue, unpair and re-pair them from scratch.

Can I use AirPods Max with Apple TV if they are already connected to another device?

Yes, but they will pause audio on the other device when you switch to Apple TV. The connection switches to whichever device you interact with most recently. You do not need to disconnect from one device before connecting to another.