Connect Bluetooth Headphones Through Settings

The fastest way to connect headphones to Apple TV is through the Bluetooth menu in Settings. Your Apple TV will search for nearby wireless headphones and pair them in about 30 seconds. Once paired, the headphones will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on near your Apple TV.

Go to Settings on your Apple TV home screen, then select Remotes and Devices, then Bluetooth. Put your headphones in pairing mode — usually by holding a button on the headphones for 3 to 5 seconds until a light blinks or you hear a tone. Your Apple TV will show a list of available devices. Select your headphones from the list, and they will connect within seconds.

If your headphones do not appear in the list, make sure they are fully charged and within 30 feet of your Apple TV. Some headphones need to be reset before they will pair. Check your headphone manual for the reset steps — often this means holding the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the light flashes a different color.

Key Takeaways

  • Bluetooth headphones connect through Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and pair in about 30 seconds.
  • Put your headphones in pairing mode by holding the power or pairing button until the light blinks or you hear a tone.
  • Wired headphones connect to the USB-C port on the Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) or later, or to an adapter plugged into the HDMI port on older models.
  • Once paired, Bluetooth headphones reconnect automatically when you turn them on near your Apple TV.
  • If headphones do not appear during pairing, reset them by holding the power button for 10 to 15 seconds and try again.

Connect Wired Headphones With a USB-C Cable

If your headphones have a 3.5mm jack or USB-C connector, you can plug them directly into your Apple TV without pairing. Apple TV 4K (3rd generation and newer) has a USB-C port on the back. Plug your headphones into that port, and audio will play through them when ready.

Older Apple TV models do not have a USB-C port. Instead, you can use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter plugged into the HDMI port, or buy a USB-C to 3.5mm cable that works with your specific model. Check your Apple TV's generation on the back of the device — it will say "Apple TV 4K" or "Apple TV HD" — then search for adapters made for that model.

Wired headphones have one advantage: they never need to be charged or paired again. The trade-off is that you are tethered to the Apple TV by a cable, which limits where you can sit.

Use AirPods or Other Apple Devices

If you own AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, connecting them to Apple TV is even simpler than standard Bluetooth headphones. When you bring your AirPods near your Apple TV, a popup appears on the screen asking if you want to connect. Tap the popup or press the select button on your remote, and they pair when ready.

This works because AirPods use Apple's proprietary pairing system, which is faster than standard Bluetooth. Your AirPods will also remember your Apple TV and reconnect automatically whenever you use them near it, without you having to go into Settings.

If the popup does not appear, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and select your AirPods from the list manually. This is the same process as pairing any other Bluetooth headphones.

Switch Audio Output Between Headphones and Speakers

Once headphones are connected, you can switch between them and your TV speakers without unplugging or unpairing. Open Control Center on your Apple TV by pressing and holding the Menu button on your remote. Select Audio, then choose whether you want sound to play through your headphones, your TV speakers, or both at the same time.

If you want to hear audio from both your headphones and speakers simultaneously, select Headphones and Speakers from the Audio menu. This is useful if other people are watching with you and want to hear the sound through the TV while you also listen through your headphones.

You can also adjust the volume separately for headphones and speakers. The volume buttons on your remote will control whichever output is currently active. If you are not sure which one is active, open Control Center again — it will show you.

Troubleshoot Headphones That Won't Connect

If your headphones pair but produce no sound, check the Audio output in Control Center. Sometimes headphones connect but are not selected as the active output. Open Control Center, go to Audio, and make sure your headphones are selected.

If your headphones appear in the Bluetooth list but will not pair, try removing them first. Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth, find your headphones in the list, and select them. If an option to "Forget" appears, select it. Then put your headphones back in pairing mode and pair them again from scratch.

If your headphones still will not connect after forgetting and re-pairing, restart your Apple TV. Hold the Menu and Down buttons on your remote for 6 seconds until the screen goes black. Wait 10 seconds, then press any button to turn it back on. Try pairing again once the home screen appears.

For wired headphones, make sure the cable is fully inserted into the port and that the port itself is clean. Dust or lint in the USB-C port can prevent a connection. Use a dry cotton swab to gently clean the port if needed.

Check Compatibility With Your Apple TV Model

Not all Apple TV models support the same connection methods. Apple TV 4K (3rd generation, released in 2022) and newer support both Bluetooth and USB-C wired connections. Apple TV 4K (2nd generation, released in 2021) supports Bluetooth but requires an adapter for wired headphones. Apple TV HD (released in 2015) also supports Bluetooth but has different adapter requirements.

Check which model you own by looking at the back of the device or going to Settings > About on your Apple TV. If you are not sure which adapters work with your model, search for "[Your Model] headphone adapter" online or check the Apple support website for your specific generation.

Bluetooth headphones work with all Apple TV models released in the last several years, so if you are buying new headphones, Bluetooth is the safest choice for compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect multiple pairs of headphones to Apple TV at the same time?

No, Apple TV can only output audio to one pair of Bluetooth headphones at a time. However, you can switch between paired headphones quickly by going to Control Center > Audio and selecting a different device. If you want multiple people to hear audio simultaneously, use the "Headphones and Speakers" option to play sound through both your headphones and the TV speakers.

Why do my headphones keep disconnecting from Apple TV?

Bluetooth headphones disconnect when they move out of range (usually beyond 30 feet) or when the battery is very low. If your headphones disconnect frequently even when close to your Apple TV, try forgetting them and pairing again. Also check that your headphones are fully charged — low battery can cause connection drops.

Do I need to unpair headphones before connecting different ones?

No, you can pair multiple headphones to your Apple TV and switch between them in Control Center without unpairing. However, only one pair can play audio at a time. If you want to use a different pair, just select it from the Audio menu in Control Center.

What if my headphones have a 3.5mm jack but my Apple TV doesn't have that port?

You will need a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. Apple TV 4K (3rd generation and newer) has a USB-C port on the back where you can plug the adapter directly. For older models, check your specific generation to find the correct adapter type, as the port location and connector type vary.

Can I use headphones with my Apple TV remote?

No, the Apple TV remote does not have a headphone jack or Bluetooth audio output. Headphones must connect directly to the Apple TV itself, not to the remote. The remote controls the Apple TV, and the Apple TV sends audio to your headphones.