AirPods work with most modern TVs, but the method depends on your TV brand and whether it has Bluetooth built in

You can connect AirPods to your TV if your TV has Bluetooth capability. Most TVs made in the last five years have it, but older models and budget models often do not. The connection process is straightforward on TVs that support it: you put your AirPods in pairing mode, then search for them in your TV's Bluetooth settings. The catch is that some TV brands make this harder than others, and a few popular TV types have workarounds you need to know about.

If your TV does not have Bluetooth, you have two options: buy a separate Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your TV's audio output, or use AirPods with an external device like an Apple TV box or streaming stick that sits between you and your TV.

Key Takeaways

  • Most TVs made after 2019 have Bluetooth built in, but you should check your TV's manual or settings menu to confirm before trying to pair.
  • Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs all support AirPods pairing, but the menu path is different on each brand — usually under Bluetooth or Sound settings.
  • Apple TV boxes and Fire TV devices with Bluetooth will pair with AirPods more reliably than many TV sets, and let you use AirPods features like automatic switching.
  • If your TV has no Bluetooth, a USB Bluetooth adapter (around $15 to $30) plugged into an audio output can add the capability.
  • AirPods connected to your TV will not automatically switch to your phone or Mac the way they do when you use them with multiple Apple devices.

How to pair AirPods with a TV that has Bluetooth

Start by checking whether your TV actually has Bluetooth. Look in your TV's settings menu — usually under Sound, Audio, or Connectivity — for a Bluetooth option. If you see it, your TV supports it. If you do not see it after checking the main settings, your TV likely does not have Bluetooth.

Once you confirm Bluetooth is available, put your AirPods in pairing mode by holding the button on the back of the charging case for about 10 seconds until the light flashes white. Then go to your TV's Bluetooth settings and select "Search for devices" or "Add device." Your AirPods should appear in the list within a few seconds. Select them, and they will connect. The first time you pair them, your TV may ask you to confirm the connection on both the AirPods and the TV — just follow the prompts.

After the first pairing, your AirPods will reconnect to your TV automatically when you turn them on and the TV is nearby. If they do not reconnect, go back to Bluetooth settings and select your AirPods again.

Pairing AirPods with Samsung, LG, and Sony TVs

Samsung TVs: Go to Settings, then Sound, then Sound Output. Look for Bluetooth Speaker List or Bluetooth Audio. Select it, then choose "Search for Bluetooth Devices." Put your AirPods in pairing mode and select them when they appear.

LG TVs: Go to Settings, then Sound, then Sound Out. Select Bluetooth, then turn it on. Your TV will search for devices. Put your AirPods in pairing mode and select them from the list.

Sony TVs: Go to Settings, then Display & Sound, then Bluetooth Settings. Select Bluetooth Audio Device, then turn on pairing mode on your AirPods and select them from the list.

If you follow these steps and your AirPods do not appear, restart both your AirPods and your TV, then try again. Make sure your AirPods are fully charged — low battery can sometimes prevent pairing.

Using an Apple TV or Fire TV device instead

If your TV does not have Bluetooth or the pairing is unreliable, connecting AirPods to an Apple TV box or Fire TV device is often easier and more stable. Both devices have Bluetooth built in and are designed to work with wireless audio.

With an Apple TV (4th generation or newer): Go to Settings, then AirPods. Put your AirPods in pairing mode and select them. They will connect when ready. The advantage here is that AirPods connected to an Apple TV can use Siri voice control and will automatically switch between your Apple TV, iPhone, and Mac if you have those devices set up together.

With a Fire TV device: Go to Settings, then Remotes and Bluetooth Devices, then Other Bluetooth Devices. Put your AirPods in pairing mode and select them. Fire TV devices pair with AirPods reliably, though you lose the automatic switching feature that Apple devices offer.

Both of these options require the device to be plugged into your TV's HDMI port, but they give you a more stable connection and often better audio quality than pairing directly to the TV.

Adding Bluetooth to a TV that does not have it

If your TV has no Bluetooth and you do not want to buy an Apple TV or Fire TV device, you can add Bluetooth capability with a USB adapter. These are small devices that plug into your TV's USB port or audio output jack and create a Bluetooth connection. Brands like TaoTronics, Mpowerd, and others make them for $15 to $30.

To use one, plug the adapter into your TV's USB port (or audio jack, depending on the model). Put your AirPods in pairing mode. The adapter will search for them automatically, and they will connect. Once paired, audio from your TV will play through your AirPods.

The trade-off is that these adapters are not as seamless as built-in Bluetooth — you may notice a slight delay between what you see on screen and what you hear, and the connection can drop if you move too far from the TV. For casual watching, they work fine. For gaming or watching movies where timing matters, the delay can be noticeable.

Why AirPods sometimes disconnect or do not pair with your TV

AirPods are designed to work best with Apple devices. When you try to pair them with a TV, a few common problems come up. The most frequent is that your TV's Bluetooth is turned off or set to a mode that does not accept new devices. Check your TV's Bluetooth settings and make sure it is in pairing or discovery mode.

Another issue is that your AirPods are already paired with another device nearby — like your iPhone or Mac. AirPods can only connect to one device at a time, so if your phone is in the same room, your AirPods may connect to it instead of your TV. Turn off Bluetooth on your other devices, or move them to another room, then try pairing with your TV again.

If your AirPods keep disconnecting after you pair them, restart both your AirPods and your TV. Hold the button on the back of the AirPods case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white. This resets them. Then turn your TV off and back on, and pair them again.

Audio delay and lip-sync issues

Some TVs introduce a slight delay between the video and the audio when using Bluetooth headphones. This is called lip-sync delay, and it happens because Bluetooth adds a small amount of latency to the audio signal. For watching shows and movies, you usually will not notice it. For gaming or watching live sports, it can be distracting.

If you experience this, check your TV's settings for an audio delay or lip-sync adjustment option. Many TVs let you manually delay the video to match the audio, or delay the audio to match the video. The setting is usually in Sound or Audio settings under Advanced or Sync.

If your TV does not have this option, using an Apple TV or Fire TV device instead of pairing directly to your TV often reduces the delay, because these devices handle Bluetooth audio more efficiently than most TVs do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do AirPods automatically switch between my TV and my iPhone?

No. AirPods connected to your TV will stay connected to your TV until you manually disconnect them or turn off Bluetooth on the TV. They will not automatically switch to your iPhone the way they do when you use them with multiple Apple devices. You have to manually reconnect them to your phone in Bluetooth settings if you want to use them there.

Can I use AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with my TV?

Yes. AirPods Pro and AirPods Max pair with TVs the same way regular AirPods do. The pairing process is identical, and they work with any TV that has Bluetooth. You will not be able to use noise cancellation features that are specific to Apple devices, but the headphones will connect and play audio normally.

What if my TV says it found my AirPods but will not connect?

Restart your AirPods by holding the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white. Then restart your TV completely by unplugging it for 30 seconds. Put your AirPods in pairing mode again and try connecting. If it still does not work, check your TV's manual to see if there is a specific Bluetooth audio setting you need to enable first.

Is there audio lag when I connect AirPods to my TV?

Most people do not notice lag during normal TV watching. Gaming and live sports are where it becomes noticeable, because the delay between video and audio can be 100 to 200 milliseconds. If lag bothers you, try using an Apple TV or Fire TV device instead, as they typically have lower latency than direct TV Bluetooth connections.

Can I connect multiple pairs of AirPods to my TV at the same time?

No. Most TVs can only connect one pair of Bluetooth headphones at a time. If you want multiple people to hear the audio, you will need to use your TV's built-in speakers or connect external speakers instead.