Apple’s AirPods are massively popular.
Look to your left or right at your office, the airport, train, across the street, and you’ll likely see someone with the little white sticks hanging from their ears.
Because of the AirPods’s versatility and wide use, it got me thinking. Can you use AirPods with the PS5?
I recently got myself a new pair of these wireless earbuds to see if they would work with the PlayStation 5.
Imagine my surprise when the AirPods refused to pair with my PS5.
From my experiment, I found out that just like with the PS4, you can’t use your AirPods with the PS5 straight out of the box.
So to answer the question.
Can you use AirPods on PS5? Yes and No. The PS5 does not support the direct use of any Bluetooth speakers or headsets-including AirPods. That is frustrating because I am sure many gamers would love to use their AirPods with their spanking new PS5. Thankfully there is a way you can use your AirPods with Sony’s latest console. To do that, you would have to buy a Bluetooth audio adapter.
With a Bluetooth adapter connected to your PS5, you would be able to hear audio from your PS5 via your AirPods.
Read on to learn more on how to connect AirPods to the PS5 using a Bluetooth audio adapter.
What happens when you try to connect AirPods to the PS5 directly?
When I tried to connect my AirPods to the PS5 for the first time, the game console detected them.
I was then taken through the pairing process, but at the end of it, I got an error message reading, “The PS5 doesn’t support Bluetooth audio accessories.”
I was very disappointed when I read this message.
I researched online and realized that without a Bluetooth adapter, you can’t use AirPods with a PS5.
If you’re wondering why the PS5 doesn’t support Bluetooth audio, I can only come up with two reasons.
Signal interference and latency. Let me explain.
Bluetooth is always scanning for new connections. That makes it highly susceptible to signal interference from other devices.
This signal interference can easily disrupt your connection which can be unbearable when playing a game.
Also, if you have a Bluetooth-enabled watch, phone, etc., while playing your PS5, it could impact the bitrate, affecting response speed on your controls and audio. This means the action onscreen and what you hear will not be in sync.
What is a Bluetooth adapter?
A Bluetooth audio adapter is a device that receives and transmits wireless Bluetooth signals.
You can use such a device to get audio from your PS5 through your AirPods.
You can plug the adapter into the USB port on your PS5 or the one on your TV to connect and use it. You can also connect it via the 3.5mm headphone jack area on the PS5.
It doesn’t matter which connection you choose to use. The device works the same regardless of which device it is plugged into.
Also commonly referred to as a Bluetooth dongle, this accessory is not expensive, and you can get several affordable options on Amazon.
I recommend the Avantree USB Bluetooth Audio Transmitter Adapter.
I bought this Bluetooth adapter after realising my AirPods couldn’t connect to the PS5 independently.
I picked this device because it had hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon.
It is a pretty straightforward device to use, and I haven’t had any Bluetooth connectivity issues with it for the few months I have used it.
How to connect your AirPods to The PS5 using a Bluetooth adapter
To get audio from your PS5 via your AirPods, you’ll need to connect your Bluetooth adapter to the console.
Follow these steps to use the Bluetooth adaptor with your AirPods:
- First plug the Bluetooth adaptor into your PS5 using a free front or back USB port.
- Next, power on the Bluetooth adapter and put it into pairing mode. A flashing light will let you know when the device is ready to pair.
- Put your AirPods in their charging case and leave the box open. Then press the connect button at the back of the case for a few seconds to put them in pairing mode. A flashing white light on the AirPods will let you know pairing mode has been activated.
- The AirPods and the Bluetooth adapter should find each other easily. When the light on the Bluetooth adapter stops flashing the adapter and your AirPods will have paired.
- Put on your AirPods and try playing your favorite PS5 game. You should hear the game’s sound through your earbuds.
What to do if you don’t get sound from the PS5 on your AirPods
First, double-check to see if the Bluetooth adapter and the AirPods are paired. If they’re and you still can’t get sound do the following:
- Grab your PS5 Controller and on the console’s home screen, click on settings.
- On the menu that shows up, select sound
- Then choose Audio Output
- On the menu that appears, select Output Device.
- On the Output Device screen, choose your Bluetooth device
This should sort out the lack of audio problem.
Why can’t you chat with other PS5 gamers when using AirPods
Once you connect your Airpods to The PS5, you’ll likely be excited and looking forward to chatting over a game with your buddies.
Unfortunately, while AirPods do have a built-in mic, you can’t use them to chat while playing the PS5.
This is because Bluetooth adapters are designed to only send audio from the PS5 to your AirPods. Not audio from your earbuds to the PS5
If you would like to use your AirPods to chat while gaming, I recommend getting a Bluetooth adapter that allows you to connect a mic.
Or you could simply use the inbuilt mic on the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller.
This mic is enabled and turned on by default. That means you can use it on the PS5 straight out of the box.
To mute and unmute the mic on the DualSense Controller, press the microphone button on the controls.
When the button turns orange, the mic is mute, and whatever you say will be private. Press the button again to unmute when you want to continue chatting with other gamers.
Conclusion
Wireless earphones like the AirPods are today preferred over wired ones. That is mainly because they are easier to connect, carry and you don’t have to spend time untangling wires.
It is, therefore, unbelievable that the PS5 doesn’t support direct Bluetooth audio.
But this shouldn’t get in the way of you enjoying playing a game on your PS5 using your AirPods.
With a Bluetooth adapter, you’ll be able to get audio from your PS5 via your AirPods.
You can get an affordable adapter like the Avantree USB Bluetooth Audio Transmitter Adapter and use it to connect your AirPods to your PlayStation 5.
Finally, this article has focused on how to connect your AirPods to the PS5. But the information provided can be used to connect other Bluetooth headphones to the PS5.
What Next?
How do I charge the PS5 controller? The PS5 controller is charged using a USB-C cable that can be plugged into any USB port that is capable of charge. Or you can buy a charging dock that’ll charge the controller through the EXT port. Take a look at my “how to charge the PS5 controller” article for more details.
How do I increase the battery life of the PS5 controller? There are actually quite a few ways you can increase the battery life of the PS5 controller. Take a look at my dedicated article here to find out how.
Can PS4 players play online with PS5 players, and vice-versa? Yes, PS4 players can play online with PS5 players. Take a look at my article here for more information.