Can You Connect AirPods to Xbox Series X or S?

Apple AirPods are great wireless earbuds that combine the excellent audio quality offered by regular Apple earbuds, a built-in mic, and Bluetooth connectivity. You may be tempted to pair them with your Xbox Series X or S to use in Party Chat, but that isn’t actually possible. If you want to use your AirPods to chat with your Xbox Series X|S friends via Party Chat, you have to use the Xbox app on your phone.

Why Don’t AirPods Work With Xbox Series X or S?

Xbox Series X and S controllers connect via Bluetooth, so it stands to reason that the consoles have Bluetooth and should work with other Bluetooth accessories. Unfortunately, the Xbox Series X and S just don’t support Bluetooth for audio connectivity. That means you can’t just connect any Bluetooth headphones, headset, or earbuds. To connect a wireless audio device to your Xbox Series X or S, it needs to support Microsoft’s own wireless standard or have a compatible USB adapter that you can plug in.

While you can’t just pair your AirPods to your console via Bluetooth, you can actually still use them to chat with your friends both in and out of game. The solution is to download the Xbox app to your phone, log in with your Xbox Live account, and then join Party Chat using the app. You can then chat with your friends just as if your AirPods were connected directly to your Xbox Series X or S console.

How to Connect AirPods to Xbox Series X or S Using the Xbox App

The best way to get around the fact that you can’t pair a set of AirPods directly to your Xbox Series X or S is to use the Xbox app. This app is available for Android, iOS, and iPadOS, and it allows you to remote play from your Xbox Series X or S, view your captures and games, send messages to your friends, and even start or join a Party Chat.

If you connect to Party Chat with your phone, and your AirPods are connected to your phone, you can talk to your friends whether they’re using the app or their own Xbox.

Here’s how to use the Xbox app with your AirPods while you’re gaming on your Xbox Series X or S:

1. Pair your AirPods to your Android, iOS, or iPadOS device.

2. Download and install the Xbox app on your device.

   Download for:

   iOS
   Android

3. Open the Xbox app on your device, and tap Sign in.

4. Log in using the same account you use on your Xbox.

5. Tap LET’S GO.

   

6. Tap the people icon (Second icon from the left at the bottom).

7. Tap the headset icon in the upper right corner.

   

8. Tap ADD PEOPLE.

9. Select friends to add.

   

10. You’re now chatting with your Xbox Series X|S friends using your AirPods.

Using AirPods With Xbox Series X or S Via Streaming

If you stream your Xbox Series X or S console to your phone with the Xbox app, that technically also allows you to use your AirPods with your console. The catch is that you have to play on your phone instead of a television.

Here’s how to use your AirPods with your Xbox Series X or S via console streaming:

1. Pair your AirPods to your phone if you haven’t already.

2. Pair a controller to your phone, or connect one via USB if your phone supports that.

3. Turn your Xbox Series X or S on.

4. Launch the Xbox app on your phone.

5. Tap the console icon in the upper right corner of the app.

6. Tap Remote play on this device.

7. Tap Next.

   

8. With your Xbox Series X or S, select Enable.

   

9. Wait for the process to finish.

   

10. Your Xbox Series X or S will now stream to your phone. Once that happens, select a game to play.

    

11. Start playing your game on your phone.

    

    Game audio and voice chat will both utilize your AirPods if you have them paired.