How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Your PS4

Yes, but your PS4 needs to support the headphones first

You can connect Bluetooth headphones to a PS4, but not every pair will work. The PS4 has limited Bluetooth support — it will only connect to headphones that use specific Bluetooth profiles that Sony built in. Many popular wireless headphones, including AirPods and most gaming headsets, use profiles the PS4 does not recognize, so they will not pair at all.

Before you try to connect, check whether your headphones are on Sony's compatibility list or use the A2DP audio profile, which the PS4 does support. If your headphones are not compatible, you have other options: a USB wireless adapter, a 3.5mm cable, or connecting through your TV instead of directly to the console.

Key Takeaways

The PS4 only connects to Bluetooth headphones that use the A2DP profile or are on Sony's official compatibility list; most gaming and Apple headsets will not pair.
You can check compatibility by looking up your headphone model on Sony's support page or trying to pair them in the PS4 settings under Bluetooth devices.
If your headphones are not compatible, a USB wireless dongle or a wired 3.5mm connection to the controller works on any PS4.
Connecting through your TV's Bluetooth instead of the PS4 directly is another workaround if your TV supports Bluetooth audio output.

Which Bluetooth headphones actually work with PS4

Sony publishes a list of compatible Bluetooth devices on its support website, and it is much shorter than you might expect. The list includes some Sony-brand headphones like the WH-CH700N and WH-1000XM4, along with a handful of other brands. Before you buy or try to connect any headphones, search for your specific model name plus "PS4 compatible" to see if anyone has confirmed it works.

The reason for the limited list is that the PS4 only supports the A2DP Bluetooth profile, which is designed for audio playback. Most gaming headsets and consumer wireless headphones use different profiles that include microphone input and noise cancellation features — things the PS4 cannot handle over Bluetooth. Even if a headphone model supports A2DP, the PS4 may not recognize it if the manufacturer did not test it with the console.

How to pair compatible Bluetooth headphones with your PS4

Put your headphones into pairing mode first. This usually means holding down a button on the headphones for three to five seconds until a light blinks or you hear a tone. Check your headphone manual if you are not sure which button or how long to hold it.

On your PS4, go to Settings, then Bluetooth Devices. Select "Search for Bluetooth Devices" and wait for your headphones to appear in the list. Tap the headphones when you see them, and the PS4 will pair. Once paired, you can turn the headphones on and off normally, and they should reconnect to the PS4 automatically when you turn them on near the console.

If your headphones do not appear in the search, they are likely not compatible with the PS4. Trying again will not help — the PS4 straightforward does not support that Bluetooth profile.

USB wireless adapters work with any headphones

If your headphones are not on the compatibility list, a USB wireless adapter is the most reliable workaround. You plug a small USB dongle into the PS4, and the headphones connect to that dongle instead of directly to the console. This works because the dongle handles the Bluetooth connection itself, and the PS4 just sees it as a regular USB audio device.

Popular USB adapters include the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless Transmitter and the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Wireless Transmitter. These are designed for gaming headsets, but any USB Bluetooth adapter will work. The downside is that you are adding another device to your setup and managing another battery, but the upside is that you can use almost any wireless headphones you already own.

Wired connection through the PS4 controller

The simplest option if you have a 3.5mm headphone jack is to plug directly into the PS4 controller. Most PS4 controllers have a 3.5mm port on the bottom, and you can plug any wired headphones or a headphone adapter into it. This works when ready with no pairing, no compatibility checking, and no batteries to charge.

If your headphones are wireless but came with a 3.5mm cable, you can use the cable instead. This defeats the purpose of wireless headphones, but it is a backup option if Bluetooth is not working.

Connecting through your TV instead

If your TV supports Bluetooth audio output, you can pair your headphones to the TV instead of the PS4. Go into your TV settings, find the Bluetooth audio output option, and pair your headphones there. When you play PS4 games, the audio will go through your TV and then to your headphones.

This works with almost any Bluetooth headphones because your TV may have broader Bluetooth support than the PS4. The trade-off is a slight delay in audio — the sound will lag slightly behind what is happening on screen, which is noticeable in fast-paced games but acceptable for slower games or movies. Check your TV manual to see if it has Bluetooth audio output; not all TVs do.

Why the PS4 has such limited Bluetooth support

The PS4 was released in 2013, and Sony designed its Bluetooth support around what was common at that time. The console prioritizes stability and low latency for gaming over broad compatibility, so it only supports the audio profiles that Sony tested thoroughly. Adding support for more Bluetooth profiles would require a system software update, and Sony has not made that a priority.

The PS5, released in 2020, has the same Bluetooth limitations as the PS4. If you are planning a console upgrade, know that you will face the same compatibility issues on the newer hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use AirPods with my PS4?

No. AirPods use Apple's proprietary Bluetooth protocol and are not compatible with the PS4. You would need to use a USB adapter designed for AirPods, or connect them to your TV if your TV supports Bluetooth audio output.

Will my gaming headset work with PS4 Bluetooth?

Most gaming headsets will not connect via Bluetooth to the PS4 because they use profiles the console does not support. Check your headset manual or the manufacturer's website for PS4 compatibility. If it is not listed, use the USB wireless adapter that came with the headset instead.

What if my headphones pair but have no sound?

Go to Settings, Audio Output, and make sure the output device is set to your headphones, not your TV or speakers. If the headphones are listed but still have no sound, unpair them, restart the PS4, and try pairing again. If that does not work, your headphones may not be fully compatible even though they paired.

Can I use Bluetooth headphones for the microphone too?

No. The PS4 does not support Bluetooth microphones at all, even if your headphones have a built-in mic. You will need to use a wired headset with a 3.5mm connection to the controller if you want to use the microphone for chat.

Is there any way to make incompatible headphones work?

A USB wireless adapter is your best option. Plug the adapter into the PS4, pair your headphones to the adapter, and the PS4 will recognize it as a standard audio device. This works with almost any wireless headphones regardless of their Bluetooth profile.

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