AirPods connect to Apple TV through Bluetooth, using the same pairing process as any other Apple device

To connect AirPods to Apple TV, wake your TV, hold the AirPods case near the screen, and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the pairing animation appears on your TV. Then tap "Connect" when prompted. The whole process takes about 30 seconds. After that first pairing, your AirPods will reconnect automatically whenever you turn on your Apple TV and have Bluetooth enabled on the headphones.

This works with Apple TV 4K (all models), Apple TV HD, and the original Apple TV (3rd generation). Your AirPods must be charged to at least 10 percent battery. If you have multiple AirPods or AirPods Pro, the pairing process is identical — you're pairing the case, not individual earbuds.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold your AirPods case within a few inches of the Apple TV screen and press the setup button on the back until the pairing animation appears.
  • AirPods will reconnect automatically to Apple TV each time you turn on the TV, as long as Bluetooth is on and the AirPods are charged.
  • You can pair multiple sets of AirPods to the same Apple TV, but only one set can play audio at a time.
  • If your AirPods don't appear on screen, restart both the AirPods and Apple TV, then try pairing again.

Step-by-step pairing for the first time

Start with your Apple TV powered on and displaying the home screen. Make sure your AirPods are in their case and charged — you'll see the LED light on the front of the case. If the light is red or amber, charge them for at least 15 minutes before pairing.

Hold the AirPods case about 6 inches from the Apple TV screen. Look at the back of the case and find the small circular button. Press and hold that button until the LED light on the front starts flashing white — this usually takes about 10 to 15 seconds. You'll see a setup animation appear on your TV screen showing AirPods and a "Connect" button. Tap "Connect" on your Apple TV remote. Your AirPods are now paired and ready to use.

Reconnecting AirPods after the first pairing

Once you've paired your AirPods to Apple TV, they reconnect automatically. When you turn on your Apple TV, your AirPods will connect within a few seconds if they're nearby and powered on. You don't need to do anything — just put them in your ears and start watching.

If your AirPods don't reconnect automatically, check that Bluetooth is enabled on your Apple TV. Go to Settings, then AirPlay and HomeKit, and make sure Bluetooth is toggled on. If it's already on, take your AirPods out of the case, wait 10 seconds, and put them back in. Then turn your Apple TV off and on again. This usually fixes connection drops.

Switching between multiple AirPods on the same Apple TV

You can pair as many AirPods as you want to a single Apple TV, but only one set will play audio at a time. To switch between paired AirPods, go to Settings on your Apple TV, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then choose Audio. You'll see a list of all paired AirPods. Select the ones you want to use, and audio will switch to them when ready.

This is useful if multiple people in your household have their own AirPods. Each person can pair their own, and whoever wants to listen just selects theirs from the audio menu. The audio will pause on the previous set and start on the new one.

Troubleshooting when AirPods won't pair

If the pairing animation doesn't appear on your TV screen, the most common cause is that your AirPods are already paired to another device — usually your iPhone or Mac. AirPods can only pair with one device at a time, though they can be set to automatically switch between devices in your Apple ecosystem.

To unpair from another device, open that device's Bluetooth settings, find your AirPods in the list, and tap "Forget This Device." Then try pairing to Apple TV again. If you want your AirPods to automatically switch between your iPhone and Apple TV, go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, find your AirPods, tap the info icon, and turn on "Automatic Switching." This lets your AirPods jump to whichever Apple device you're actively using.

If the setup button on the back of the case doesn't light up the LED, your AirPods may be out of battery. Charge them in their case for at least 30 minutes and try again. If the LED still won't light, the case battery may be dead — plug the case into a USB-C or Lightning cable (depending on your AirPods model) and wait 10 minutes before trying to pair.

Audio quality and latency with AirPods on Apple TV

AirPods use Bluetooth to connect to Apple TV, which means there's a small delay between what you see on screen and what you hear. This delay is usually 100 to 200 milliseconds — noticeable if you're watching something with a lot of dialogue or action, but not enough to ruin most viewing. If you're sensitive to audio lag, wired headphones or a soundbar connected directly to your TV will have less delay.

The audio quality from AirPods on Apple TV is the same as on any other device — Apple TV doesn't compress or reduce the audio stream. If your AirPods sound muffled or quiet, check the volume on your Apple TV remote and make sure the AirPods themselves are at full volume. You can adjust AirPods volume by saying "Hey Siri, turn up the volume" to your Apple TV remote, or by using the volume buttons on the remote itself.

Disconnecting AirPods from Apple TV

To stop using your AirPods with Apple TV without unpairing them, straightforward turn off the AirPods or move them out of Bluetooth range. Audio will switch back to your TV's speakers or whatever audio output you have selected. The pairing stays active, so they'll reconnect the next time you turn them on near your Apple TV.

If you want to completely unpair your AirPods from Apple TV so they never reconnect, go to Settings, select AirPlay and HomeKit, then Bluetooth. Find your AirPods in the list and select "Forget This Device." You'll need to pair them again using the setup button if you want to use them with this Apple TV in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPods Max with Apple TV?

Yes. AirPods Max pair to Apple TV the same way as regular AirPods — hold the case near the screen, press the setup button, and tap Connect. Audio quality is identical, though AirPods Max are heavier and designed more for music listening than TV watching.

Why do my AirPods keep disconnecting from Apple TV?

The most common cause is that your AirPods are set to automatically switch to another device — your iPhone or Mac — when you use it. Turn off automatic switching in your iPhone's Bluetooth settings, or manually select your AirPods from Apple TV's audio menu each time you want to use them.

Do I need to unpair my AirPods from my iPhone to use them with Apple TV?

No. AirPods can be paired to multiple devices at once. They'll connect to whichever device you're actively using, or you can manually switch them in the audio settings. If you want to prevent automatic switching, turn it off in your iPhone's Bluetooth settings.

What if my Apple TV doesn't have Bluetooth?

All Apple TV models sold since 2015 have Bluetooth built in. If you have an older Apple TV (2nd generation or earlier), you'll need to use wired headphones or a Bluetooth adapter connected to the audio output instead.

Can multiple people use different AirPods on the same Apple TV at the same time?

No. Only one set of AirPods can play audio from Apple TV at a time. If multiple people want to listen, they'll need to share one set of AirPods, use the TV speakers, or connect a soundbar or external speaker system.