can you connect airpods to ps4

So you’ve got a shiny pair of AirPods and a PS4 sitting right next to each other, and you’re wondering — can these two actually talk to each other? It’s one of the most searched questions in the gaming community, and honestly, it makes total sense.

AirPods are everywhere, they’re comfortable, and they sound great. Why wouldn’t you want to use them for a late-night gaming session? Here’s the honest answer: the PS4 doesn’t natively support Bluetooth audio devices, which means you can’t just pair your AirPods the way you would with your iPhone.

But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With the right approach, you absolutely can get your AirPods working with your PS4 — and this guide is going to walk you through exactly how.

Can You Connect AirPods to PS4 Directly via Bluetooth?

Let’s clear the air first (no pun intended). The PS4 does have Bluetooth built in, but Sony has intentionally restricted it to specific device types — mainly controllers and a few select Sony accessories. It will not recognize connect airpods or any other standard Bluetooth headphones as audio output devices.

When you try to pair AirPods directly through the PS4’s Bluetooth settings, you might see them appear in the device list. But the moment you try to connect airpods them for audio, the console simply won’t cooperate. This is a firmware-level restriction, not a hardware limitation. The PS4 is physically capable — Sony just chose not to open that door.

That said, there are reliable workarounds that gamers use every single day to solve this exact problem. Let’s get into them

Method 1: Use a Bluetooth USB Adapter (The Best Workaround)

This is the most popular and reliable method, and it works beautifully. A Bluetooth USB adapter — sometimes called a Bluetooth dongle — plugs directly into one of the PS4’s USB ports and acts as a separate Bluetooth transmitter that bypasses Sony’s restrictions entirely.

What You’ll Need

• Your AirPods (any generation)
• A Bluetooth USB audio adapter compatible with PS4 (brands like HomeSpot, Avantree, or the PS4-specific ones work great)
• An available USB port on your PS4 or PS4 controller

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Plug the Bluetooth adapter into the USB port on the front of your PS4 or the USB port on your DualShock 4 controller.
2. Put connect airpods in pairing mode by holding the small button on the back of the AirPods case until the light flashes white.
3. Follow your adapter’s pairing instructions — most have a button you hold to activate pairing mode on the dongle itself.
4. Wait for the devices to connect. You’ll usually hear a chime or see the adapter’s light change color when pairing is successful.
5. Go to PS4 Settings → Devices → Audio Devices and set your output to the USB headset/adapter.
6. Adjust the volume using the in-game audio settings or the adapter’s controls.

That’s it. Once connect airpods should deliver game audio wirelessly through the adapter. Most adapters also support microphone input, so you can even chat with teammates.

Method 2: Connect AirPods to PS4 Using the Remote Play App

If you don’t want to buy extra hardware, there’s another path — and it’s completely free. Sony’s PS4 Remote Play app lets you stream your PS4 gameplay directly to your phone, tablet, Mac, or PC. And here’s the clever part: once you’re playing through your phone or computer, you can connect your AirPods to that device instead of the console itself.

This method is genuinely useful for people who game late at night or in different rooms. Your PS4 runs the game, streams it to your phone, and connect airpods to the phone as they normally would. Audio, microphone, everything works through Remote Play.

The slight trade-off is that you’ll need a decent Wi-Fi connection to keep the stream smooth. If your home network is solid, the lag is barely noticeable and the experience feels almost native. It’s not a perfect solution for competitive gaming where milliseconds matter, but for story-driven games or casual sessions, it’s honestly great. Many players don’t realize this workaround exists, and once they try it, they never go back to searching for adapters.

How to Set It Up

1. Download the PS4 Remote Play app on your iPhone, Android, Mac, or PC.
2. Sign in with your PlayStation Network account.
3. Enable Remote Play on your PS4 by going to Settings → Remote Play Connection Settings → Enable Remote Play.
4. Connect your AirPods to your phone or computer as you normally would.
5. Open the Remote Play app and connect to your PS4.
6. Start playing — your AirPods will handle all the audio automatically.

Method 3: Use a 3.5mm Audio Splitter with Your Controller

This one is old-school, but it works every time without fail. The Dual Shock 4 controller has a 3.5mm headphone jack built right in. If you have wired earphones or an adapter that goes from 3.5mm to Lightning (for AirPods — though this requires a specific dongle), you can run audio directly through the controller.

Realistically, this method works better with regular wired headphones. For AirPods specifically, it’s a bit of an awkward chain of adapters. But if you’re in a pinch and don’t want to wait for a Bluetooth dongle to ship, it’s worth knowing the controller jack is there and fully functional.

Audio Settings to Optimize After Connecting

Once you’ve got connect airpods to your PS4 through any of the above methods, take a few minutes to dial in the audio settings. This step is often skipped, and it makes a real difference.

Go to Settings → Devices → Audio Devices on your PS4 to find all of these. The most important one is switching “Output to Headphones” from Chat Audio to All Audio — otherwise you’ll only hear party chat, not game sound.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Even with the right setup, things don’t always go smoothly. Here are the most common problems and their fixes:

• No audio after connecting the dongle: Make sure the PS4 recognizes the adapter under Audio Devices. Try unplugging and replugging it.
• Microphone not working: Check if your specific Bluetooth adapter supports two-way audio. Some cheaper ones are audio-out only.
• Cutting out or static: Keep your PS4 and AirPods within 10 meters of each other. Interference from other devices can cause this.
• AirPods not showing up on the adapter’s pairing mode: Reset your connect airpods by holding the back button for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white.
• Remote Play lag: Switch to a 5GHz Wi-Fi network if available, and keep your phone close to the router.

Can You Connect AirPods to PS4 for Party Chat?

This is a fair question, and the answer depends on your method. If you’re using a high-quality Bluetooth USB adapter that supports microphone passthrough, yes — you can chat with your party just fine. Your teammates will hear you, and you’ll hear them.

If you’re going the Remote Play route, the microphone on your phone or the connect airpods built-in mic will handle voice chat through the app’s interface. It works, though the audio quality varies depending on your connection.

The one scenario where party chat is tricky is if you’ve connected your AirPods through a basic dongle that only supports audio output. In that case, you’d need to use a secondary microphone or clip the DualShock 4 mic into the controller jack simultaneously.

What About AirPods Pro and AirPods Max?

Good news — all the methods described above work with connect airpods Pro, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods 3, and even AirPods Max. The Bluetooth pairing process is identical across all models, so there’s no special setup required for newer generations.

AirPods Max users should note that the over-ear design and higher audio quality make the Bluetooth dongle method especially satisfying. The sound stage on AirPods Max is impressive for gaming, particularly for immersive titles like God of War or The Last of Us.

Conclusion

So, can you connect AirPods to PS4? Not directly — but with the right tools, absolutely yes. The Bluetooth USB adapter method is the gold standard: it’s reliable, affordable (most quality dongles cost under $30), and works with every generation of AirPods.

The Remote Play method is the best free alternative, especially if you already game on your phone or laptop. And the controller jack is always there as a backup.

The key takeaway is that Sony’s Bluetooth limitation is a policy choice, not a hardware wall you can’t climb. Thousands of gamers connect airpods with their PS4 every day using the methods above, and once you get it set up, it works seamlessly.