How to Connect AirPods to PS4

Holding AirPod while gaming in PS4
Holding AirPod while gaming in PS4

Want to use AirPods for gaming? Here’s a one-stop guide through some foolproof steps on how to connect your AirPods to your PS4.

Having your very own Playstation console is one of the best rewards every gamer can give to themselves. But these don’t exactly come cheap. That’s why no one can blame you if you currently don’t want to shell out more cash for some gaming headsets and opt to use your trusty AirPods instead.

There’s just one problem though: the PlayStation 4 still doesn’t support Bluetooth audio. And, it doesn’t look like they’ll add this feature any time soon.

This may prompt you to spend more of your hard-earned money on some PS4-compatible headsets or settle for cheap wired headphones, instead. But don’t lose hope just yet!

Unsupported or not, our handy guide will help you through some smart hacks on how to wirelessly connect your AirPods to your PlayStation console. We’ll even provide ways on how to troubleshoot any audio issues you may encounter.

Read on and find out how.

Can You Connect Your AirPods to PS4?

The short answer is: yes! Gaming with AirPods on your PS console of choice is possible, but with some considerations.

Unfortunately, while all the official PlayStation wireless controllers use Bluetooth to connect to your console, you can’t do the same with your wireless headphones.

So why didn’t Sony just add full Bluetooth functionality right out of the box?

Sony’s official statement mentions that the Bluetooth profiles that run on the PS systems are different from the ones used in most Bluetooth devices. Simply put: regular Bluetooth devices are incompatible with PS consoles.

To understand their reasoning, we need to get a little technical. For Bluetooth devices to connect properly, they will need to communicate with the same Bluetooth profile. However, the PS home consoles only support Hands-Free Profile (HFP) and Handset Profile (HSP). On the other hand, most Bluetooth devices today use Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP).

However, signal interference and latency problems can also be some of the many reasons why Sony won’t put Bluetooth audio in their consoles.

Compared to their wired counterparts, wireless headphones use a different method to relay audio. They have to constantly compress and decompress the audio signals in order for them to be heard. This process sometimes results in audio lags.

Considering that gamers use wireless controllers, having built-in Bluetooth audio support may interfere with the controllers’ signal. These can be troublesome especially in games. They require accuracy and precision when played. The last thing gamers need is a severe lag during online matches. Playing online is a major draw of the PS home consoles after all.

Much to the frustration of many gamers, even the new Playstation 5, which had a successful launch in 2020, still doesn’t have this feature. Check out our other article if you wish to connect your AirPods to PS5 instead!

What to expect when connecting AirPods to PS4

AirPods and PS4 Controller
AirPods and PlayStation Controller

Since there’s no official support for other Bluetooth devices, you will need to go through different hacks on how to use your AirPods in PS4. However, you can expect to run into some connectivity issues when doing so. These problems may include, but are not limited, to:

  • Lack of game chat feature: One vital component of playing online is the game chat feature. This enables players to utilize communication within a group, especially for complicated team plays. Unfortunately, some solutions won’t allow the use of AirPods’ microphones.
  • Latency problems: Using a pair of wireless headphones like the AirPods adds a little more data to go back and forth through the network during online games. Therefore, this sometimes causes some audible latency issues.
  • Inability to use AirPods features: While connecting wirelessly to the PS console, some AirPods features you enjoy with iPhones will likely be inaccessible. Ultimately, your AirPods will simply turn into a regular pair of true wireless earbuds.
Latency refers to the time it takes for the data to travel from its source to the destination across a network. In home consoles like the PS4, the data could be player inputs, voice, video or text chat. Latency is measured in milliseconds (ms). It’s unnoticeable if the delay is short. But if it takes more than a few ms, it’s what’s referred to as “lag.”

How to Connect AirPods to Your PS4

The most common solution for the lack of wireless connectivity in Sony’s home consoles is to use a Bluetooth adapter. It only requires a few basic steps and the aforementioned Bluetooth adapter.

If you don’t feel inclined to spend some extra cash, there are still other possible ways to connect your AirPods to the PS4 without an adapter. These will still require a separate electronic device as a go-between to your AirPods and PS console, though. The good news is, you may already have access to them without knowing what they can do.

The methods described in the succeeding sections will all apply to the various versions of the PS4. Likewise with the AirPods and its various models.

Using a Bluetooth Adapter

As stated earlier, this will require a separate purchase in the form of a Bluetooth adapter. If you don’t mind spending a little more to gain wireless connectivity, then it will all be well worth it.

The Bluetooth adapter we’ve used for the next few steps is the GuliKit Bluetooth Adapter. It has a 3.5mm mini mic that allows voice chat right out of the box. This is an integral feature lacking in most Bluetooth adapters.

Before proceeding, make sure at least one of the USB ports of your PS console is free for the Bluetooth adapter to connect to. Otherwise, proceed with the steps described below:

  1. Connect the GuliKIt Bluetooth adapter to one of the free USB ports on your PS console and it should automatically enter pairing mode.
  2. Enable pairing mode of your AirPods by putting them in the charging case and pressing the setup button until the status light turns white.
    The Guilikit Bluetooth adapter should then automatically connect with your AirPods. Make sure that there are no other Bluetooth devices turned on to avoid interference.

    Pressing the setup button on AirPods case
    Pressing the setup button on AirPods case
  3. Plug the mini microphone into the controller’s 3.5mm audio port.
  4. To make sure that the AirPods and GuliKit connect properly, go to your PS console’s Home. Select Settings.

    Going to PlayStation Settings
    Going to PlayStation Settings
  5. From there, select Devices, Audio Devices then Input Devices. Select the option Headset Connected to Controller.

    Select Headset Connected to Controller
    Select Headset Connected to Controller
  6. Go back to Audio Devices. But this time select Output Device. Select the option USB headphones (USB Audio Device).

    Choose USB headphones (USB Audio Device)
    Choose USB headphones (USB Audio Device)
  7. Return to Audio Devices one final time. But this time choose Output to Headphones. A sidebar will appear on the right side of the TV screen. Select All Audio.

    Setting All Audio
    Setting All Audio

Using the Remote Play app

Remote Play is the official Sony app for its PS consoles. This app allows gamers to stream their PS4 games to their smartphones. Games can be controlled either with onscreen controls or any PS controllers. It essentially turns any smart phone or mobile device into a smaller monitor to play PS games with.

That’s all well and good for gaming. But what they don’t tell you is that Remote Play also allows you to wirelessly connect your AirPods to the PS consoles. To use the Remote Play app with your smartphone:

  1. Download and install the Remote Play from either Google Play or the Apple Store.

    Installing the Remote Play app
    Installing the Remote Play app
  2. Enable the Remote Play option in your PS console by going to Settings, then select Remote Play Connection Settings.

    Opening Settings to go to Remote Connection Settings
    Opening Settings to go to Remote Connection Settings
  3. Select Enable Remote Play from the options available.

    Enabling Remote Play
    Enabling Remote Play
  4. Open the Remote Play app on your phone. It will start connecting to your PS console.

    Connecting phone to PS console via Remote Play
    Connecting phone to PS console via Remote Play
  5. If you haven’t already, pair your AirPods with your smartphone.

    Pairing AirPods with smartphone
    Pairing AirPods with smartphone
  6. Enable the microphone by tapping the triple dots/ellipsis (…) at the bottom-right of your Remote Play app screen. This will allow voice chat with your AirPods.
  7. Go to Remote Play’s Quick Menu by pressing the share and PS button simultaneously. Then, select Sound Devices. From there, choose Adjust Microphone Level.

     

Using a Smart TV

As of 2021, Smart TVs accounted for more than 50% of the overall number of TVs. It’s not that surprising since it was already at 45% in 2020. The three largest TV manufacturers all have their own versions of Smart TVs. And while they may run on different operating systems, they all have Bluetooth connectivity built in.

This makes it possible for your AirPods to wirelessly connect to your PS console, albeit indirectly. The methods described below will work with any brand as long as your Smart TV is Bluetooth capable.

  1. Make sure your HDMI cables are connected properly in their proper ports on your Smart TV from the PS console. You can check the picture below on what an HDMI cable is and their compatible ports.

    HDMI cables and their compatible ports on a Smart TV (From: LG India/YouTunbe.com) www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4n4L9EJAH4
    HDMI cables and their compatible ports on a Smart TV (From: LG India/Youtube)
  2. Enter pairing mode of your AirPods.

    Enable AirPods' pairing mode
    Enable AirPods’ pairing mode
  3. Go to the sound settings of your Smart TV. In the case of a LG Electronics Smart TV, it’s in the Sound icon. Select Sound Sync.

    Selecting sound options of Smart TV (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube.com) www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gqgwCTntAo
    Selecting sound options of Smart TV (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube)
  4. Sound Sync will display all available Bluetooth devices. Select your AirPods.

    Pairing the AirPods with LG Electronics Smart TV (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube.com) www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gqgwCTntAo
    Pairing the AirPods with LG Electronics Smart TV (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube)
  5. Select Sound, then go to Sound Out.

    Selecting sound output option of Smart TV (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube.com) www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gqgwCTntAo
    Selecting sound output option of Smart TV (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube)
  6. Select LG Sound Sync/Bluetooth from the options.

    Selecting Bluetooth devices as output option (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube.com) www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gqgwCTntAo
    Selecting Bluetooth devices as output option (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube.com)
  7. A list of available Bluetooth devices will appear. Select your AirPods.

    Selecting the AirPods as sound output device (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube.com) www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gqgwCTntAo
    Selecting the AirPods as sound output device (From: Amanda Woolsey/YouTube)

What to Do if You Can’t Hear Anything From Your AirPods

Since Sony has never really acknowledged third-party Bluetooth devices, you can’t really rely on them for any assistance. Here’s a short guide in troubleshooting any audio issues you may encounter while attempting to connect your AirPods to any PS console.

Troubleshooting Audio With Bluetooth Adapter

If you find that there isn’t any audio coming out of your AirPods even with a Bluetooth adapter, you may want to check that your PS console’s system has the right input and output volume settings.

To do this, start by opening your PS Home menu, then:

  1. Go to your console’s Settings, Devices, Audio Devices then select Adjust Microphone Level. Modify your microphone settings accordingly.

    Adjusting the mic volume level
    Adjusting the mic volume level
  2. Return to Audio Devices, this time select Volume Control (Headphones). Here, you can adjust your headphones volume based on your preferences.

    Adjusting headphones volume
    Adjusting headphones volume
  3. Return to Audio Devices one final time, this time select Output to Headphones. A black sidebar will appear. Select All Audio.

    Setting headphone output
    Setting headphone output

Troubleshooting Audio With Remote Play App

Some issues may also pop up when using the Remote Play app with your AirPods, especially if it’s outdated.

Various errors usually pop-up when an app is out of date. The same goes with the Remote Play app. Luckily, updating it is fairly simple. For this, just go to Settings then choose System Software Update.

Updating Remote Play App
Updating Remote Play App

Troubleshooting Audio With The Smart TV

If you can’t hear anything when using Smart TVs, you may want to check your cables, particularly those connecting your PS console to your Smart TV.

To fix these audio issues:

  1. Make sure that there are no loose cable connections. Take note of what type of cable was used and what port it was connected to.

    Checking for loose connections in the cables (From: JAWneS/YouTube.com) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siv1Hxeghhs
    Checking for loose connections in the cables (From: JAWneS/YouTube)
  2. Open your PS console. Then go to Settings, then open Sounds.

    Opening Settings to go to Sounds (From: JAWneS/YouTube.com) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siv1Hxeghhs
    Opening Settings to go to Sounds (From: JAWneS/YouTube)
  3. Adjust the options accordingly based on your cable set up.

    Selecting what cables were used to connect to Smart TV (From: JAWneS/YouTube.com) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siv1Hxeghhs
    Selecting what cables were used to connect to Smart TV (From: JAWneS/YouTube)

Conclusion

Connectivity between the AirPods and the PS console is still limited right now. But, over time, those limits may soon be (hopefully) removed. Especially when newer Bluetooth technology is unveiled to the public.

But while Sony still hasn’t offered support for other Bluetooth devices, you now know that it is still possible with a few creative tricks.

What did you think of this article? Did you try out any of the methods described above? What were your experiences like? We’d appreciate it if you share with us your thoughts. Drop us a comment below!

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