How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Apple TV

By simmyideas 21st December 2022766 views

Listen in peace with the right wireless connection

This article explains how to connect Bluetooth Headphones to Apple TV. Whether you’re a night owl hoping to find domestic bliss (because “Die Hard with a Vengeance” keeps disturbing your sleeping partner) or you just need some one-on-one time with your favorite new game, using Bluetooth headphones with Apple TV can be a great way to focus on your entertainment and drown out your environment.

The tips apply to Apple TV models with tvOS 9 or up and virtually all Bluetooth headphones. In this guide, we’ll explain how to connect more than one set of headphones to your Apple TV; Bluetooth Headphones to Apple TV, and all of the relevant information on the subject.

What to Know

Put your Bluetooth headphones in pairing mode. On your TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth.
To switch between Apple TV and headphone audio, go to the home screen and press Play/Pause on the Siri Remote.
To unpair the headphones, go to the Bluetooth settings screen, select your headphones, and select Unpair.

How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Apple TV

To connect any type of Bluetooth Headphones to Apple TV, follow these steps:

Turn on your Bluetooth headphones and put them in pairing mode.

How you enter pairing mode may differ based on your headphones. Check the manual. Also, ensure your headphones have a good amount of battery life.
On the Apple TV, click the Settings app.
Click Remotes and Devices.
Click Bluetooth.
The Apple TV will search for wireless headphones. After a few seconds, it will list all the ones it finds.
Select the headphones you want to connect to Apple TV.

If your headphones require a PIN for pairing, enter that PIN now.

Why Use Apple TV With Bluetooth Headphones?

Using the Apple TV with a home surround sound system is great, but sometimes you need to use your Apple TV without making noise; Bluetooth Headphones to Apple TV. You may prefer to use some of the best wireless headphones with your Apple TV if you want to:

Watch TV without disturbing others (think staying up late to watch a movie or sporting event).
Have a more intense gaming experience that brings the game audio closer to you.
Use an app that supports voice input and you need a microphone to speak into (this assumes your Bluetooth headphones have a mic, of course).

Since Apple’s AirPods are basically just Bluetooth headphones, you can also connect AirPods to an Apple TV; Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Apple TV.

How to Unpair Bluetooth Headphones From Apple TV

Need to unpair your Bluetooth headphones from Apple TV? It’s pretty simple:

Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth.
Select the headphones you want to unpair.
Select Unpair Device.

You can also choose to Disconnect Device if you want to send audio to a different speaker or headphone but leave these headphones set up with your Apple TV.
On the confirmation screen, click Unpair Device again.

How to pair your Bluetooth headphones to your Apple TV

Put your headphones in pairing mode.
From the Apple TV Home screen, go to Settings
Click on Remotes and Devices.
Click on Bluetooth.
Let it search for Bluetooth devices.
When you see your headphones pop up, choose them from the list.
Some Bluetooth accessories require a PIN. If Apple TV prompts you, type in the PIN.

How to unpair your Bluetooth headphones from your Apple TV

If you just want to temporarily disconnect your headphones from your Apple TV, switch them off. If you want to fully unpair your headphones, here’s how:

From the Apple TV Home screen, go to Settings
Click on Remotes and Devices.
Click on Bluetooth.
Find your headphones in the list and choose them.
Choose Forget Device.
Choose Forget Device once more to confirm.

Switching audio outputs on your Apple TV

There might come a time when you want to keep your Bluetooth headphones connected and just temporarily switch audio outputs. Apple TV lets you do that!

From the Apple TV Home screen, go to Settings » Audio and Video » Audio Output.
Choose which audio output you want to use.

How to Quickly Switch Apple TV Audio to Bluetooth Headphones

After you’ve paired your wireless headphones to Apple TV, you don’t want to have to go through the Settings app every time you want to switch the audio output. Luckily, you don’t have to!

Instead, go to the home screen and press the Play/Pause button on the Siri Remote. After a few seconds, a screen pops up that lets you select the audio output. Click your wireless headphones, and the Apple TV will send audio to them.

Questions?

If you run into trouble on how to connect Bluetooth Headphones to Apple TV or have any questions, gimme a shout. We’ll tackle the Bluetooth troubleshooting together!