How to Connect Your AirPods to PS4 [Best Way]

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The headphones you use for your PS4 can make or break your gaming experience. As AirPods are among the best headsets out there, you may wonder whether or not you can connect your AirPods to the PS4.

While the fact that AiPods produce high-quality audio remains true, the problem lies with your PS4. The console may be technologically advanced, but it is yet to support Bluetooth connectivity. But that does not mean your AirPods will not work with the PS4. This article will discuss two methods of connecting AirPods to your PS4 console.

How to connect AirPods to PS4

Can You Connect AirPods to PS4?

Yes, you can connect the AirPods (Pro & Max included) to the PS4 but the process is more complex than pairing staxºndard Bluetooth devices. Your AirPods and PS4 use different Bluetooth profiles, making them incompatible. Therefore, you have to use a Bluetooth adapter to connect the devices.

The adapter transmits and receives wireless signals, thus allowing incompatible Bluetooth devices to connect.

AirPods utilize an A2DP Bluetooth profile. Such is a common profile that all audio-streaming Bluetooth devices use. The A2DP or Advanced Audio Distribution Profile provides AirPods with high-quality audio, whether it is in stereo or mono formats.

On the other hand, the PlayStation 4 only supports Bluetooth devices with Hands-Free Profile (HFP) and Handset Profile (HSP). These profiles allow the PS4 to support functions like voice chat during games.

Learn more about the PS4 Bluetooth Profile.

The difference in Bluetooth profile makes it impossible for AirPods and PS4 to connect. But if you use a Bluetooth adapter, it will translate devices’ Bluetooth protocols into compatible data and signals.

How to Connect AirPods to PS4 Using a Bluetooth Adapter

These are the steps you need to follow to use a Bluetooth adapter to connect AirPods to PS4:

Step 1. Plug Your Bluetooth Adapter to Your PS4 & Set “Pairing” Mode

Connect Bluetooth Adapter to PS4

Connect the Bluetooth adapter to your PS4 through its USB port. Then, set the adapter to pairing mode so your AirPods will detect its signal. Usually, the USB adaptor comes with a pairing button.

Note: Setting a Bluetooth adapter to pairing mode depends on one model to another. So, when changing your adapter’s settings, you must look at its manual to find the exact steps you need to follow.

Step 2. Enable Pairing Mode on Your AirPods

How to enable pairing mode on AirPods to connect it to PS4

Open the charging case’s lid to enable your AirPods’ pairing mode. Do not remove the AirPods from the case. Then, press and hold the button at the back of the case until the indicator light blinks white.

You can verify that your AirPods are connected to the adapter by going to “Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Devices”

Step 3: Go to “Settings > Devices > Audio Devices”

Your PS4 should automatically detect the AirPods’ signal and vice versa, as both devices are in pairing mode. Once the devices are paired, there are two settings to be modified.

  • Change “Output Device” to “Headset Connected to Controller”.

  • Change “Output to Headphones” to “All Audio”.

  • Adjust the volume on “Volume Control (Headphones)”

    Change PS4 Audio Settings

Now that all the necessary settings on your PS4’s audio section are adjusted, you can play any game while using your AirPods for sounds!

Quick Fact: The steps above apply not only to AirPods but to any Bluetooth headphones.

If you managed to connect your AirPods but they have no sound, read this article.

How to Connect AirPods to PS4 Using the Remote Play App

If you don’t want to purchase a Bluetooth adapter and you prefer to connect your AirPods to PS4 without a dongle, you can use the Remote Play App to connect AirPods to PlayStation 4.

The Remote Play App is a software application Sony developed. It allows you to play games from your PS4 to any supported device, such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone. The app also enables Bluetooth connections, allowing you to connect your AirPods to PS4.

Step 1. Download the Remote Play App

Download the Remote Play App for PS4

The Remote Play App is available for Android and iOS devices.

Step 2: Activate Remote Play on Your PS4

How to activate the Remote Play feature on PS4
  • Go to “Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings”.
  • Click on the “Enable Remote Play” checkbox to activate Remote Play.

Step 3. Open the App & Register Your PS4 Login Credentials

How to register to the Remote Play App using your PS4 login credentials

A login page will appear once you launch the remote play app on your smartphone. Log into the app using your PS4 account login credentials.

If the Remote Play App takes too long to detect your console, press the “Register Manually” button. The app will then ask for a login code. To get the code, navigate to your PS4’s “Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings > Add Device”. Enter the code that you’ll find on the “Add Device” page into the Remote Play App.

Note also that your console and smartphone should connect to the same internet source when using the Remote Play App. If the devices are connected to different networks, they cannot detect each other’s signals.

Step 4: Connect Your AirPods & Controller to Your Smartphone

You can connect your AirPods and DS4 controller to your smartphone through the Bluetooth settings. Simply click on the devices’ names once you find them on the list of available Bluetooth devices.

After establishing a connection between your AirPods, DS4 controller, and smartphone, you can now use your AirPods as your gaming headset.

However, it is worth noting that this method is far from flawless. You should have a fast and stable internet connection for the Remote Play App to work without latency issues.

Additionally, there will be no vibrational feedback on your DualShock 4 controller, as it is connected to the console through your smartphone.

Find more ways you can connect the AirPods to the PS4 without a dongle

What Bluetooth Adapter Can You Use to Connect AirPods With PS4?

To connect AirPods with PS4 you can use any Bluetooth adapter that can be connected via USB or headphone jack. While the PS4 will not work with most headsets via Bluetooth, it supports the majority of available USB audio devices on the market. You are essentially turning your AirPods into a USB audio device by using a Bluetooth adapter.

One of the most popular Bluetooth adapters for PS4 is Twelve South’s AirFly Duo. It boasts 20+ hours of battery life, allowing you to enjoy hours of immersive gaming.

Potential Issues After Connecting AirPods to PS4

Connecting AirPods to PS4 isn’t without limitations. Below are the problems you may encounter while using your AirPods as a PS4 gaming headset:

  • Audio Lag.
    It takes longer for Bluetooth devices to transmit and receive signals through wireless connections. As a result, you may experience latency issues, which are especially noticeable during fast-paced games.

  • Limited Chat Functionality.
    Many Bluetooth adapters cannot receive audio from the AirPods’ mic. Instead, it can only transmit audio from the PS4 to your headphones. As a result, you will hear voice chats, but you cannot reply to them.

  • Limited Battery Life.
    AirPods usually only last for 4 to 5 hours of continuous use. PS4 gaming sessions can be lengthy, so you may need to take breaks after a few games to recharge your AirPods.

Check out what’s the AirPods Range to make sure you have no problems connecting them with your PS4.

Why Doesn’t PS4 Support Bluetooth Audio?

Why the PS4 does not support Bluetooth audio

The PS4 does not support Bluetooth audio because A2DP Bluetooth profiles require significant bandwidth. This Bluetooth profile lags at around 100 to 200ms, causing it to introduce audio delay as you play games. The PS4 Bluetooth profile also prioritizes DualShock 4 controller support to ensure seamless gaming.

Bluetooth audio technology requires devices to adhere to specific protocols and profiles for compatibility. However, these protocols can cause performance issues for the PS4. By limiting the Bluetooth devices that the PS4 supports, Sony can ensure a reliable and stable gaming experience.

Does AirPods Have a Mic?

Yes, AirPods have a built-in microphone near each earbud’s top portion. The microphone captures your voice for calls, recordings, and voice commands like Siri. It also allows you to make and receive calls. However, the microphone in the Airpods is not usable when you connect them to the PS4 through a Bluetooth adapter.

When you use a Bluetooth adapter to use AirPods on your PS4, the adapter works as a one-way transmission lane. It only sends data and signals from the PS4 to the AirPods but it cannot receive audio from the headset.

Check out how how to access Discord on PS4.

Use AirPods for an Immersive PS4 Gaming

AirPods and PS4 have different Bluetooth profiles, which makes them incompatible. Ideally, this difference should prevent the devices from pairing. But, there are two workarounds to make the connection possible.

First, you can use a Bluetooth adapter to link AirPods to PS4. The adapter turns your AirPods into a USB audio device, thus allowing your PS4 to detect it.

You can also use the Remote Play App if you do not want to purchase an adapter. Sony created the app to allow gamers to play on different screens within their home network.

However, connecting your AirPods to your phone while the phone is connected to the PS4 also allows sound transmission between the devices. As a result, your AirPods can receive audio signals from the PS4.

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