How to Connect Any Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One

Tired of wires? Here are the best ways to connect your Bluetooth headphones to Xbox One.

While Xbox One remains one of the most popular gaming consoles today, for many users, one complaint has gone unresolved for years – the lack of Bluetooth audio support.

If you’re a new Xbox player who buys a pair of wireless headphones only to learn that they aren’t compatible with your console, you’re bound to get frustrated and think you’ve wasted your money on these shiny new gadgets!

Hold on! Dont discard them just yet. Because we’re here to tell that you can connect any Bluetooth headphones to Xbox One – you just have to work on some compromise. Read on to find out how!

Can You Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One?

Yes, you can connect Bluetooth headphones to Xbox One, but you will need to go through some workarounds. This is because, while most modern devices support Bluetooth, Xbox is an exception.

However, device inferiority is certainly not the reason for this discrepancy. Rather, it is because Microsoft – the company behind Xbox – went down a different route with wireless connectivity.

Instead of Bluetooth, all Xbox variants use a unique in-house wireless protocol – the Xbox Wireless.

Like Bluetooth, Xbox Wireless connects headphones to Xbox One without pesky cables. But, unlike Bluetooth, Xbox Wireless uses a higher wireless frequency to connect. The outcome of this unique proprietary wireless frequency is lower latency and better sound quality.

So, to use your Bluetooth headphones on Xbox One, you’ll have to make use of different third-party devices (i.e., your PC, TV, mobile phones, or Bluetooth transmitters)

Which headphones use Xbox Wireless?

To make connecting with Xbox not entirely exclusive, Microsoft launched technology-specific peripherals that use Xbox Wireless.

However, there are only a handful of these Xbox-compatible headsets, and they come in two types:

• The first one uses a wireless dongle, which users attach to one of the Xbox controller’s USB ports to connect the headphones.
• The other connects automatically to the console instead of going through the controller. Thus, eliminating the need for dongles and whatnot. This type of wireless headphones is a bit more expensive, though, but it is highly efficient on its own.

Here’s a list of Xbox-compatible headphones you can choose from:

• Xbox One Chat Headset
• Xbox One Stereo Headset
• Xbox Series X Headset
• Corsair Hs75 Xb Wireless Gaming Headset
• LVL40 Wired Gaming Headset
• Lucid Sound LS50X
• HyperX CloudX Flight Wireless Gaming Headset
• Audeze Penrose X
• Astro A40 TR Headset + MixAmp M80
• Lucid Sound LS35X Wireless Surround Sound Gaming Headset
• Victrix Pro AF Wired Gaming Headset
• Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 Headset + SuperAmp
• Astro A50 Wireless Headset + Base Station
• Kingston HyperX Cloud II Headset
• Razer Thresher Ultimate
• Razer Thresher
• Razer Kaira Pro
• Razer Nari Ultimate
• SteelSeries Arctis 9X Gaming Headset
• Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset
• Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Wireless Gaming Headset

How to Connect Compatible Xbox One Wireless Headsets

With Xbox Wireless being an exclusive technology, first-time users may find connecting devices under this unfamiliar protocol a bit perplexing.

To make it a breeze for you, we laid out the steps to properly connect compatible Xbox One wireless headsets.

1. Turn your headphones to ‘pairing mode‘.
   The steps for turning on pairing mode will depend on the model, but this usually involves holding the power button down until the LED light is on.

   

2. Proceed to turn your console on by pressing the console’s power button.

   

3. Still, on your console, locate the Pairing Button.
   For older Xbox models that came before Xbox One S and X, this can be found on the console’s left side, near the disk drive. For newer models, you’ll find it located at the right lower portion of the front panel.

   

4. Enable pairing by pressing on the Pairing Button on your console until its LED light blinks. This indicates readiness.

   

5. Go back to your wireless headset and search for the Connect Button. Press and hold this button and wait for the LED to start flashing rapidly. It means the device is ready to pair.

   

   Other headphone models may require different ways of doing this. It’s best to consult your headphones’ user manual to be sure.
6. Allow a few seconds for the LED lights on both devices to steady. The console will then flash a “Headset Assigned” note. And from the headset, you will hear a tone. If the devices paired successfully, you would start hearing the game audio.

   

Connecting compatible devices is an easy task. But for non-compatible headphones, establishing a wireless connection via Bluetooth is a different process altogether. The subsequent sections will guide you through the steps necessary to accomplish this.

How to Connect Non-Compatible Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One

It may initially be disappointing to learn that Xbox doesn’t support Bluetooth headphones. But connecting these devices is possible with a few tools and some ingenuity. Read on to find out how you can connect non-compatible headphones to Xbox One.

Nonetheless, here’s what you can do:

• Utilize PC connection
• Connect via TV
• Use the Xbox Mobile App
• Use Bluetooth transmitters

Utilize PC connection

One rather ingenious method of connecting your wireless headset to Xbox One is joining the console to your Windows PC or Mac. With the computer as the end-user device, you can now efficiently utilize your Bluetooth headphones to tether sounds!

Technically, you should be able to enjoy the full Bluetooth audio functions in this method (i.e., the game audio & party chat).

You’ll have to follow different steps depending on your device:

• For Windows PC
• For Mac

For Windows PC

There are only three conditions to keep in mind when connecting Xbox One to Windows PC seamlessly:

• Both devices need to be on the same network setup (preferably an ethernet connection for streaming)
• You must use the Xbox Console Companion app.
• Your PC needs to have Bluetooth support.

Securing an Xbox Console Companion app should not be a problem. The app is already installed on all Windows PCs – a move by Microsoft to integrate the two services. But if not, you can simply download it here.

To successfully connect Xbox One to Windows PC, perform the following:

1. Access the app by signing up or signing in to your Microsoft account.

   

2. Enable the Xbox One app on your PC by clicking the Connection icon located at the Xbox app’s left-hand menu.

   

3. Look for the Connect to your Xbox One window. In its top-right, you will see the Add a device icon. Click on it.

   

4. Windows will automatically search for your Xbox One console. Once the console is detected, click the Connect button.

   

5. If it’s taking a long time to search, do it manually by typing your Xbox’s IP address in the box and then press Connect.

   

6. If you’re having a hard time connecting, simply go to your Xbox settings, choose Devices & Streaming, and go to Device connections. From there, enable Allow Play To streaming, Allow game streaming to other devices, and Only from profiles signed in on this Xbox. Then check if your Xbox is listed in the Connections tab.

   

7. Once it is connected, you can then start controlling the Xbox functions via your PC.

Now that you’ve succeeded in connecting your Xbox One to your PC, you can start using the Bluetooth headphones by linking them to the PC.

For Mac

If you’re using a Mac, worry not! You can also use your Bluetooth headset with Xbox One via Mac by using OneCast.

This allows you to stream your Xbox One games on your device, which then enables you to listen to your game audio through your Bluetooth headphones while they’re connected to your Mac.

However, since Microsoft doesn’t officially support OneCast, you cannot use your headset mic when going through this route.

Here’s how to connect your Xbox One to your Mac:

1. Once you download OneCast, click on the DMG folder to fully install it.

   

2. Drag the OneCast app to your Applications folder.

   

3. With your Xbox turned on, click on the OneCast icon to launch the app. It should automatically detect your Xbox and prompt you to log into the console with your Microsoft username and password.

   

4. Once OneCast is connected to your Xbox, connect your headphones to your Mac.
   You can check out our guide on how to connect your Bluetooth headphones to Mac if you don’t know how!

   

Connect via TV

For television to bridge the gap between Bluetooth headphones and Xbox, we’ll follow the same steps as the Xbox-PC hack. We’ll have to connect the Xbox to the TV first and then connect the Bluetooth headphones to the TV set.

To connect your Xbox to your TV, follow these steps:

1. Plug the HDMI cord included in your Xbox One, into the port at the back of your console.

   

2. Go to the back of your TV, locate the HDMI port and plug in the other end of the cord.
3. Using your remote, set the TV’s Input Source to the HDMI port you’ve plugged in.

   

Then, proceed with connecting your Bluetooth headphones to your TV. If you’re not sure how, feel free to check out our guide on how to connect wireless headphones to TV. Moreover, if your TV doesn’t naturally support Bluetooth, you may also use Bluetooth audio transmitters for TV.

Use the Xbox Mobile App

If you don’t find any of the above hacks convenient for you, we still have more to go. One of which uses the Xbox One mobile app to connect Bluetooth headsets.

Here’s how to proceed:

1. Connect your Bluetooth headset to your mobile phone.

   

2. Then, go to Xbox One App and click on the social icon — the icon with two people.

   

3. Click on the headset icon to start a party.

   

4. Agree with the permissions.

   

5. This will open the party chat screen. Invite your teammates and enjoy!

   

Use Bluetooth transmitters

Using Bluetooth transmitters is another way of beating Xbox One’s Bluetooth restriction. This device allows you to use your Bluetooth headphones on the console.

Here’s how to use Bluetooth audio transmitters for Xbox:

1. Switch the transmitter on by pressing the power button for about 3 seconds, or wait until flashing Blue or Red LEDs appear. This will depend on the transmitter you use, so make sure to consult the product manual for the specific instructions.
   
2. Plug the transmitter into the 3.5mm port in your Xbox controller.
3. Power on your headphones and enter into Pairing Mode. Keep in mind that some headphones have different pairing instructions than others. For your best bet, check out your manufacturer’s guidelines.
4. To pair the transmitter to your headphones press and hold the multifunction button on your Bluetooth transmitter for around 5 seconds. This will put the dongle into pairing mode.
5. For a faster connection, bring your headphones close to the transmitter. Wait until you see a steady blue light on the dongle.

   

6. Once a connection is established, you can listen through as you play.

In case you’re wondering, this tutorial used the Uberwith Bluetooth transmitter. This transmitter also works in connecting your Bluetooth headphones to Nintendo Switch. But the steps are pretty much the same as other transmitters.

Recommended Accessories for Wireless Headphones in Xbox One

If your device lacks the utilities to establish a flawless connection between Bluetooth headphones and Xbox One, then you might need the help of Bluetooth-enabling accessories.

Below are some of the other recommended third-party accessories to connect Bluetooth headphones to Xbox.

Skull & Co. AudioBox

The Skull & Co. AudioBox is an excellent Bluetooth transmitter for Xbox that works with all Bluetooth headsets. And it even lets you listen to your gaming audio with your Airpods.

This transmitter works with Bluetooth 5.0, which is the latest version of the wireless standard. Its high fidelity, low latency codecs mean you can enjoy your games without worrying about your audio getting out of sync.

Further, the Skull & Co. Bluetooth transmitter has built-in mic support that allows you to chat with your team without having to connect headphones with a mic. It’s also powered directly through your controller to provide a smooth, stable gaming experience without worrying about recharging or fast-draining batteries.

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Friencity Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter Receiver

The Friencity Bluetooth Transmitter not only connects your Bluetooth headphones to your Xbox, but it can also act as a receiver.

This two-way functionality means it can receive audio from your TV, tablet, smartphone, and laptop anytime you wish to listen to audio from other devices when not using your Xbox.

You also get the benefit of dual streaming with this device. It can pair with two sets of headphones, so you and a friend can listen to the same audio while you game.

Further, with this transmitter, you never have to worry about your gaming audio being interrupted. This is because it boasts an “always-on” feature that allows you to use it even when it’s charging.

And even when you turn it off, it auto-reconnects to the last paired device when you turn it on so you can get right back to gaming.

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SCOSCHE BTT-SP FlyTunes

SCOSCHE BTT-SP FlyTunes is a universal Bluetooth transmitter that you can use the same way as the Uberwith Bluetooth transmitter featured in the previous section.

However, it can be used not just for Xbox but also for other devices – even those with one or two auxiliary ports – thanks to their bendable 3.5mm prongs.

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Conclusion

Being able to use your Bluetooth headphones on Xbox consoles rids you of the hassles of buying a new device. Not to mention, you’re saving big on bucks, too!

Yes, you can enjoy gaming even without Microsoft’s wireless headsets! Just make sure you have a premium pair of Bluetooth headphones and our extensive guide at the ready. Game all you want using your old but gold Bluetooth headphones.

Should you encounter any connection issue, resetting your Bluetooth headphones usually fixes the problem. If not, you can check out our other guides on fixing Bluetooth audio problems like audio stutters, sound delays, or zero sound.

Got any more headphones-related problems? Let us know, and we’ll help you fix them!