Actually, the Xbox Series X/S is not compatible with Apple’s AirPods. You can still pair headphones and console via a detour and enjoy undisturbed sound.
- Xbox Series X/S mit Apple AirPods per Bluetooth-Adapter verbinden
- Pair the console and headphones via the smart TV
- Connect Xbox to AirPods via the Xbox app
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Connect other AirPods
Apple’s AirPods promise the best sound when it comes to headphones, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S promises the best gaming experience. Whether that is true is always in the eye of the beholder. Both devices are undeniably leaders in their segment. If you have headphones and a console, you might expect very good sound when gaming. Wouldn’t that be a big problem.
Officially, neither the Xbox Series X nor the Xbox Series S supports a single model of Apple’s AirPods. The reason: Microsoft uses its own standard for wireless data transmission on the console. It’s called Xbox Wireless. The AirPods, on the other hand, rely on well-known Bluetooth technology. However, there are ways and means to bring the seemingly disparate pair of technologies together.
You have three options for pairing your Apple AirPods with current Xbox consoles. For one you have to invest a little money, for one you need the right TV and for the last all you need is your cell phone and an internet connection. We will introduce you to the three options in detail below, step by step.
Xbox Series X/S mit Apple AirPods per Bluetooth-Adapter verbinden
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First the easiest method. For this you need to buy a Bluetooth adapter that has a jack cable or a jack connection. You can easily plug it into the underside of current Xbox controllers, where it acts as a bridge between the console and the AirPods. You only have to forego the microphone function of the AirPods with this method.
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Also note that most Bluetooth adapters are not compatible with older Xbox controllers. The incompatible pads also include the old Xbox Elite Controller and all controllers that do not have a headphone jack. You can get suitable Bluetooth adapters from electronics stores for around 20 to 40 dollars.
Pair the console and headphones via the smart TV
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Here the television acts as the bridge between the console and headphones. Also check whether your TV supports AirPlay. This makes it even easier to pair the AirPads with your TV. If you need help, if in doubt, check the instructions for your television.
Connect Xbox to AirPods via the Xbox app
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The last option: You use the official Xbox app to connect. The following steps are particularly easy with an iPhone or iPad, but you can also do it with an Android cell phone. However, it is a little more complicated to pair the Apple AirPods with an Android device. In any case, make sure that your Apple AirPods are connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth.
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Now you download the Xbox app for free on this cell phone and, after installing it, log in with the Xbox account that you also use on your console. Now turn on your Xbox Series X/S, press the Xbox button in the main menu and select “Profile and System” in the following menu, then “Settings”.
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Continue by clicking on “Devices and Connections”, then on “Remote Features” and then ticking “Enable Remote Features” in these options at the bottom left. If you don’t already have it, you still need to activate “Sleep Mode” in the options under “Energy Options” so that everything works without any problems.
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Now switch back to the Xbox app on your cell phone and tap the console symbol below the Wi-Fi display in the upper right corner of the library screen. Your console will now be displayed here. Finally, click on “Remote playback on this device” to connect the app to your console.
Note that this method requires both your Xbox and your phone to be connected to the internet. Thanks to the Remote Play feature, your console’s gameplay is now streamed live to your phone. But what’s more important is that this also works for the sound. In this admittedly somewhat complicated way, you can stream the sound of your Xbox Series X/S to your cell phone, from where it is transmitted to the connected Apple AirPods.
Connect other AirPods
We talked about the normal AirPods as an example in our instructions, but of course all of these methods also work with other AirPod models such as the Apple AirPods Pro or the Apple AirPods Max.
Bluetooth headphones in the test: These are the best on- and over-ear headphones
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You should also be able to connect Bluetooth headphones from other manufacturers to the Microsoft console using the steps described above. We offer you a selection of models with solid to good sound in our large list of the best Bluetooth headphones.
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