Did you know that you can connect your AirPods to your Apple TV? It’s an easy solution for anybody wanting to watch something without disturbing other people in the room. And now you can listen to content that supports Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio, the experience of listening to your Apple TV is better than ever.
For the best possible experience, you really need an Apple TV 4K as it's Apple's only set-top box that supports Dolby Atmos content (the HD model does not). You also need AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, as they are the only two wireless headsets with the necessary sensors to take full advantage of Apple's newest immersive technology, Spatial Audio.
That said, any headset that has Apple's H1 or W1 chipset (meaning most of the latest Beats headphones as well as Apple's regular AirPods) that's paired with the Apple TV 4K can still play to Dolby Atmos content — it just won't sound quite as good.
Finally, you can actually pair any Bluetooth headset to your Apple TV and listen to content privately. So, if you want to listen on your comfy Sony or Bose over-ear headphones — you can. The catch is that pairing isn't quite as easy and it won't support the same immersive sound technologies.
How to pair AirPods to Your Apple TV
There are two ways to connect your AirPods to an Apple TV. The first and easiest solution is if the Apple TV and your AirPods (through your iPhone) are linked under the same iCloud account. Make sure that your AirPods and Apple TV are running the latest software, then follow these steps:
• Make sure you’re either wearing your AirPods or the charging case’s lid is flipped open.
• Turn on your Apple TV and go to the Home screen.
• Hold down the Play/Pause button on your Apple TV Remote.
• Select your AirPods when they appear as an option on the screen.
How to pair AirPods to someone else's Apple TV
If you’re trying to connect your AirPods to an Apple TV that isn’t the same iCloud account, it’s still a pretty simple process. Here's what you need to do:
• Make sure you’re either wearing your AirPods or the charging case’s lid is flipped open.
• Hold the pairing button on the back of the AirPods case until its light starts flashing white.
• Turn on your Apple TV and open the Settings app.
• Select Remotes and Devices and then Bluetooth.
• Select your AirPods when they appear as an option, and then select Connect Device.
How to pair non-AirPod Bluetooth headphones to an Apple TV
It's not as seamless, but you can connect any pair of Bluetooth headphones to your Apple TV and use them for private listening. Here's how:
• Make sure your wireless headphones in pairing mode (the process will depend on model).
• Open the Settings app on your Apple TV.
• Select Remotes and Devices and select Bluetooth.
• Select your wireless headphones when they appear.
