This article explains how to use AirPods with an Xbox Series X or S.

What to Know

  • You can’t pair AirPods directly to an Xbox Series X or S.Use the Xbox app on your phone or tablet to chat with your Xbox Series X or S friends while using your AirPods.Alternatively, stream Xbox Series X or S games to your phone with your AirPods connected.

How to Connect AirPods to Xbox Series X or S Using the Xbox App

Here’s how to use the Xbox app with your AirPods while you’re gaming on your Xbox Series X or S:

  • Pair your AirPods to your Android, iOS, or iPadOS device.
  • Download and install the Xbox app on your device.
  • Download for:
  • iOS
  • Android
  • Open the Xbox app on your device, and tap Sign in.
  • Log in using the same account you use on your Xbox.
  • Tap LET’S GO.
  • Tap the people icon (Second icon from the left at the bottom).
  • Tap the headset icon in the upper right corner.
  • Tap ADD PEOPLE.
  • Select friends to add.
  • You’re now chatting with your Xbox Series X|S friends using your AirPods.

How to Use AirPods With Xbox Series X or S Via Streaming

If you stream your Xbox Series X or S console to your phone with the Xbox app, you can use your AirPods with your console. The catch is that you have to play on your phone instead of a television.

Pair your AirPods to your Android, iOS, or iPadOS device.

Download and install the Xbox app on your device.

Download for:

Open the Xbox app on your device, and tap Sign in.

Log in using the same account you use on your Xbox.

Tap LET’S GO.

Tap the people icon (Second icon from the left at the bottom).

Tap the headset icon in the upper right corner.

Tap ADD PEOPLE.

Select friends to add.

You’re now chatting with your Xbox Series X|S friends using your AirPods.

Here’s how to use your AirPods with your Xbox Series X or S via console streaming:

  • Pair your AirPods to your phone if you haven’t already.
  • Pair a controller to your phone, or connect one via USB if your phone supports that.
  • Turn on your Xbox Series X or S.
  • Launch the Xbox app on your phone.
  • Tap the console icon in the upper-right corner of the app.
  • Tap Remote play on this device.
  • Tap Next.
  • With your Xbox Series X or S, select Enable.
  • Wait for the process to finish.
  • Your Xbox Series X or S will now stream to your phone. Once that happens, select a game to play.
  • Start playing your game on your phone.
  • Game audio and voice chat will both utilize your AirPods if you have them paired.

Why Don’t AirPods Work With Xbox Series X or S?

Unfortunately, the Xbox Series X and S don’t support Bluetooth for audio connectivity. That means you can’t just connect any Bluetooth headphones, headset, or earbuds. It needs to support Microsoft’s wireless standard or have a compatible USB adapter to connect a wireless audio device to your Xbox Series X or S.

Pair your AirPods to your phone if you haven’t already.

Pair a controller to your phone, or connect one via USB if your phone supports that.

Turn on your Xbox Series X or S.

Launch the Xbox app on your phone.

Tap the console icon in the upper-right corner of the app.

Tap Remote play on this device.

Tap Next.

With your Xbox Series X or S, select Enable.

Wait for the process to finish.

Your Xbox Series X or S will now stream to your phone. Once that happens, select a game to play.

Start playing your game on your phone.

Game audio and voice chat will both utilize your AirPods if you have them paired.

The best way to get around the fact that you can’t pair a set of AirPods directly to your Xbox Series X or S is to download the Xbox app to your phone, log in with your Xbox network account, and then join Party Chat using the app. You can then chat with your friends just like your AirPods were connected directly to your Xbox Series X or S console.

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