How to connect AirPods to Apple TV

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

One of my favorite ways of watching movies and TV shows with my Apple TV is with a pair of AirPods. I still get all the surround benefits of Spatial Audio, but I don't disturb the rest of the house with elevated volume levels.

It's super easy to connect your AirPods to your Apple TV, as well. It's even simpler if you've got other Apple devices — you'll almost certainly be able to use them straight away. Here's how to connect your AirPods to your Apple TV.

Models this will work with

AirPods
AirPods 2
AirPods 3
AirPods 4
AirPods Pro
Airpods Pro 2
AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Max

The easy way

The Apple TV 4K (2022), with the Siri remote propped on its right side. — (Image credit: Henry T. Casey / Tom's Guide)

If you use other Apple devices with your AirPods, like an iPhone or an iPad, your AirPods are likely already connected to your Apple TV without you even realizing. It's all down to that magic Apple device connection — they're linked with your Apple ID.

To check that they're connected to your Apple TV, boot up the TV device and then open your buds. Then put them in your ears, and you should see a connection notification on screen.

Go and play something on your favorite streaming service and check that the audio is coming through. Job done!

A pair of Apple AirPods Pro 3 — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If they don't immediately play the audio, you need to choose them as an audio output. Hit the power button on the top right of your remote, select the "audio" section, and choose your AirPods from the list.

If they're not there, then you'll have to connect them manually. Have no fear, it's actually super easy.

The harder way

The AirPods Max USB-C in a photo studio — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

First, navigate to the settings menu on your Apple TV. From there, find the Remotes & Devices tab. Now, you'll need to find the Bluetooth tab.

Now we need to get the AirPods into pairing mode. This will depend on your AirPods.

For the AirPods 1, 2 and 3, and the AirPods Pro 1 and Pro 2, open the case and find the pairing button on the back. Hold down the button until the status light on the front flashes white.

AirPods 4 (both models) and AirPods Pro 3 have a touch panel instead. Open the case, and then double-tap the front of the case near the Apple TV.

Finally, for the AirPods Max, hold down the ANC button until the status light flashes white.

AirPods 4 on a table — (Image credit: Future)

With your AirPods now in pairing mode, you can find them in the Bluetooth connections menu of the Apple TV. Select your AirPods in the list, and you're away!

Back out of the settings menu, and then double-check that the AirPods are connected properly. Using the power button on the remote control, find the AirPods in the audio devices section.

This is also where you can configure the Spatial Audio settings (if applicable). And with that, your AirPods are connected to your Apple TV — go forth and watch some movies and TV!

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Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.

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