Apple’s popular AirPods are most effective when used in conjunction with the company’s other products: their feature set is at its best when working with an iPhone, iPad or Mac. But they can serve as very thin wireless headphones with many other devices, including the Nintendo Switch game console.
In this article, we explain how to pair a set of Apple AirPods with a Nintendo Switch. It used to be tricky and required an adapter, but after a software update a few years ago the process is now nice and easy.
How to update your Switch (if needed)
The key here is that you need your Switch to be running system firmware version 13.0.0 or later. It was the software update, released in fall 2021, which added support for Bluetooth audio accessories.
Let’s check if you have the correct software version.
- Turn on your Switch.
- From the home screen, go to System Settings (it’s the gear icon; you’ll need to double-tap it if you’re using the touchscreen).
- Scroll down to System.
- Check the entry for System Update to see which version you have.
In the screenshot below, you can see that our Switch has version 16.0.3 and is therefore comfortably able to use this feature.
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If you have a version earlier than 13.0.0, an update will be waiting for you and you will need to follow the instructions to install it.
How to pair the Switch with your AirPods
Now go back to the main System Settings screen as before, and this time navigate to the Bluetooth Audio section. (It’s the fourth entry on our test device, but it won’t be visible on software running Switch earlier than 13.0.0.) From there, we’ll select Add Device, but first we’ll need to ensure that the AirPods are ready to be found.
With the AirPods in their case, open the lid, then press and hold the button on the back until they give a small ping and the light on the front starts flashing white. (You will see a constant white light almost immediately, but you must continue to hold the button until it starts turn signal white.) The AirPods are now in pairing mode, so you can tap Add Device on the Switch.
So to recap it is:
- On the switch, go to system settings.
- Bluetooth audio.
- Place the AirPods in their case with the lid open, hold the button down until you hear them ping and possibly flash white.
- Tap Add Device on the Switch.
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The Switch will search for available Bluetooth audio accessories within range. When it finds your AirPods, the Switch displays their name to verify that it has the correct device. Assuming everything is correct, tap the AirPods to complete the pairing process.
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And it’s as simple as that. Now you can put the AirPods in your ears and enjoy high quality sound while gaming.
How to unpair AirPods
If you later need to remove the AirPods, go back to the Bluetooth Audio section of the system settings, select the headphones, and tap Remove Device.
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Also read: Best Mac for gaming and Best iPhone for gaming.
We also cover how to connect AirPods to MacBook and how to connect AirPods to Apple TV.
