Can You Use AirPods on PS5? 4 Ways That Work in 2026

Short answer: yes, but not directly. The PS5 does not pair with Bluetooth earbuds, so AirPods will not show up if you try to connect them in the console’s settings. You can still use AirPods, AirPods Pro or AirPods Max with a PS5 in four ways: a USB Bluetooth audio adapter, your TV’s Bluetooth, the PS Remote Play app on an iPhone or iPad, or a small transmitter plugged into the controller. The adapter is the best option for most people.

Checked October 2026. If a future PS5 system update adds Bluetooth audio, that native option will beat every workaround below.

Why AirPods don’t connect to a PS5 directly

The PS5 has Bluetooth, but Sony uses it for the DualSense controller and other accessories, not for streaming game sound to headphones. Standard Bluetooth audio adds noticeable delay, which matters in games. Instead, Sony steers players toward wired headsets, USB headsets and its own PlayStation Link wireless headsets. That is why AirPods can appear in your iPhone’s Bluetooth list in seconds but never in the PS5’s.

The four ways to use AirPods with PS5

Method 1: Use a USB Bluetooth audio adapter (recommended)

A Bluetooth audio adapter plugs into one of the PS5’s USB ports and shows up on the console as a normal USB audio device. Your AirPods pair with the adapter instead of the console. Popular PS5-compatible examples include the Creative BT-W5, Genki Audio and GuliKit Route Air Pro; whichever you choose, check that the listing names PS5 support.

1. Plug the adapter into a USB port on the PS5. A front port keeps it in clear line of sight.
2. Put the AirPods in their case, open the lid and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light flashes white. On AirPods Max, hold the noise control button.
3. Put the adapter in pairing mode, usually by holding its button until its light flashes, and wait for it to connect to the AirPods.
4. On the PS5, open Settings, then Sound, then Audio Output, and select the adapter as the output device.
5. Play something with dialogue and adjust the volume from the PS5 or the AirPods.

If you need party chat, look for an adapter whose description says it supports voice chat on PS5. Without that feature, you will hear the game but your friends will not hear you.

Method 2: Connect AirPods to your TV

If your TV can send audio over Bluetooth, the PS5 does not need to know your AirPods exist. Game sound travels from the console to the TV over HDMI, and the TV passes it on to your AirPods.

1. Put your AirPods in pairing mode as described above.
2. On the TV, open the sound or Bluetooth settings (the name varies by brand) and pair the AirPods.
3. Start a game; the TV now sends the sound to your AirPods.

This costs nothing to try, but there is no voice chat and some TVs add enough delay to notice. Turn on the TV’s game mode, and check for an audio sync or lip-sync setting.

Method 3: Play through PS Remote Play on an iPhone or iPad

The free PS Remote Play app streams your PS5 to an iPhone or iPad over Wi-Fi. Because your AirPods already work with the phone, you hear the game through them.

1. On the PS5, open Settings, then System, then Remote Play, and turn on Enable Remote Play.
2. Install PS Remote Play from the App Store and sign in with the same PlayStation account.
3. Connect your AirPods to the iPhone or iPad as usual.
4. Start Remote Play and choose your PS5. You can use the touch controls or pair a DualSense controller with the phone.

This is handy for quiet play in another room. Expect some lag from streaming, and use a strong 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection for the best results. The app also has a microphone option for voice chat.

Method 4: Plug a Bluetooth transmitter into the DualSense

The DualSense controller has a 3.5 mm headphone jack. A small battery-powered Bluetooth transmitter plugged into that jack can pair with your AirPods and send them whatever the controller would send to wired headphones. It keeps you cable-free from the TV, but the transmitter needs charging and voice chat will not work through it.

How to choose a Bluetooth adapter for AirPods and PS5

Adapters look alike, but a few details decide whether yours works smoothly with AirPods:

• PS5 support named in the listing. The adapter has to present itself to the console as a USB audio device. If PS5 is not listed, assume it may not work.
• Plug type. The PS5 has USB-A ports on the back and, depending on the model, USB-C or USB-A on the front. Pick an adapter that fits a free port, or use a short adapter cable.
• AAC support. AirPods prefer the AAC codec. An adapter that supports AAC can sound a little better with AirPods than one limited to basic SBC. Low-latency codecs such as aptX Low Latency do not help, because AirPods do not support them.
• Voice chat. If you play online with friends, check that the adapter specifically mentions PS5 voice chat or microphone support.
• A pairing button. A physical button makes it easy to switch between your AirPods and other headphones.

If you also play on a Nintendo Switch or a PC, a single adapter that lists all of your devices saves you buying two.

Is it worth it, or should you go wired?

For relaxed single-player games, films and streaming apps on PS5, AirPods through an adapter are perfectly usable and save you buying another pair of headphones. For competitive online games, the extra delay and limited chat support make a wired headset in the DualSense jack, a USB headset or a PlayStation Link headset the better choice. A cheap wired pair plugged into the controller is still the lowest-delay option of all.

What to expect: delay, sound quality and spatial audio

• Delay. AirPods do not support aptX low-latency codecs, so through most adapters they use standard Bluetooth codecs. Expect a little more delay than with a dedicated gaming headset; it is fine for most single-player games but noticeable in rhythm games and fast shooters.
• Sound quality. Music and game audio sound good, but if the AirPods’ microphone is active on a Bluetooth link, sound quality drops while you talk.
• Spatial Audio. Apple’s head-tracked Spatial Audio works with Apple devices, not with a PS5, so you will hear the PS5’s own audio processing instead.
• Controls. Volume and noise control work on the AirPods themselves; Siri and automatic switching do not apply to the PS5.

Troubleshooting

• AirPods will not pair with the adapter: remove them from nearby iPhones or Macs first, or reset them (see how to reset AirPods).
• The PS5 does not show the adapter: try another USB port and check Settings, Sound, Audio Output again.
• Sound cuts out: move the adapter to a front port or a short USB extension cable, away from your Wi-Fi router.
• One AirPod plays: put both back in the case, close the lid for 15 seconds, then reconnect.

Does this work with other wireless earbuds?

Yes. Everything in this guide applies to any Bluetooth earbuds or headphones, including Galaxy Buds, Sony, Jabra and Beats models. The PS5 does not stream audio to Bluetooth headphones of any brand, so the same adapter, TV and Remote Play workarounds apply. Sony’s own PlayStation Link products, such as the Pulse Explore earbuds and the Pulse Elite headset, connect through a small USB adapter that comes in the box, which is why they work with the console without a workaround.

Should you buy a PS5 headset instead?

If you mostly play online with friends, a headset made for PS5 is the simpler choice: it connects with low delay and a proper microphone. Sony’s PlayStation Link headphones, such as the Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite headset, connect through their own USB adapter. Compare options in our best gaming headsets for PS5, and see our guide to Bluetooth audio on every console if you also play on Xbox, Switch or Steam Deck.

Frequently asked questions