Can AirPods Pro Connect To PS5? | Easy Audio Fixes

Here’s the short story up front: the PS5 doesn’t pair Bluetooth earbuds for game audio straight out of the box. AirPods Pro still work nicely with a tiny USB adapter, your TV’s Bluetooth output, or through PS Remote Play on a phone or tablet. Pick the route that fits your setup and you’ll get clean wireless sound with clear steps below. Sony’s own pages explain why the console blocks direct Bluetooth audio, so the adapter path is the simplest win for most players.

Why PS5 Doesn’t Pair AirPods Over Bluetooth

Quick context: PS5 reserves its built-in Bluetooth for devices like controllers and does not open a profile for standard Bluetooth audio. That decision keeps latency and bandwidth in check during gameplay, which is why the console shows your earbuds but won’t complete pairing for sound. Sony spells this out and points users toward supported paths instead.

What does this mean for AirPods Pro? You’ll connect through a bridge. The bridge can be a small USB Bluetooth transmitter made for consoles, a TV with Bluetooth output, or the official PS Remote Play app streaming audio to your phone or computer. Each method has trade-offs, so the next section maps the options at a glance.

Can AirPods Pro Connect To PS5? Best Options Compared

Pick your path: Most players choose a USB adapter because it’s quick, affordable, and stable. TV Bluetooth is handy if your TV supports it. Remote Play is great for late-night sessions away from the living room, though network lag can creep in. Guides from major outlets and Sony’s own pages back these setups.

Method	Setup Time	Mic Chat?
USB Bluetooth Audio Adapter (plugged into PS5)	2–3 minutes	Often yes (depends on adapter with USB audio/mic path)
Bluetooth From TV To AirPods Pro	2–5 minutes	No (audio only)
PS Remote Play App (phone/tablet/PC + AirPods)	5–8 minutes	Yes through the device mic; adds network delay

Why USB wins: A dongle that identifies as a USB audio device feeds stereo game sound straight to your AirPods Pro and, with the right model, passes a mic path for party chat. Tom’s Guide and other how-tos outline this simple three-step pairing flow.

Why TV Bluetooth works: If your TV supports Bluetooth audio, it can relay console sound to the AirPods Pro. You won’t get a chat mic through the TV, but it’s a clean late-night listening fix with no extra console setup.

Why Remote Play helps: The app streams your PS5 to a phone, tablet, PC, or Android TV device; your AirPods pair to that device, and you hear everything there. Voice chat runs through the device’s mic, which is handy in a pinch.

Connecting AirPods Pro To PS5 — Quick Methods

USB Bluetooth Adapter (Recommended For Most Players)

1. Plug the adapter — Insert a USB or USB-C audio transmitter into the PS5.
2. Put AirPods in pairing mode — Open the case near the console and hold the button until the LED flashes white.
3. Pair the adapter — Press the adapter’s pair button until it connects; lights usually go solid when linked.
4. Set output — On PS5, go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output and pick the adapter as the device.

Use Your TV’s Bluetooth

1. Enable TV Bluetooth — Open your TV’s Bluetooth menu and start pairing.
2. Pair AirPods — Hold the case button until the LED flashes; select the AirPods in the TV’s device list.
3. Select TV speakers — Leave PS5 audio set to HDMI; the TV passes sound wirelessly to the AirPods.

This route is audio-only. Party chat won’t pass through a TV Bluetooth link.

PS Remote Play On Phone/Tablet/PC

1. Install Remote Play — Download the PS Remote Play app on your device and sign in with your PSN account.
2. Enable Remote Play on PS5 — On the console, turn on Remote Play in Settings > System > Remote Play.
3. Pair AirPods to the device — Connect your AirPods to the phone, tablet, or computer via Bluetooth.
4. Start the session — Launch the app and connect to PS5; you’ll hear game audio through AirPods.

Mic Chat On PS5 With AirPods Pro

USB adapter path: Many console-friendly adapters expose both output and input as a USB audio device, so the PS5 sees a mic. In party settings, select the adapter as Input Device and the same as Output Device. Check packaging or specs for mic support before you buy, since some transmitters send audio only. Guides from established tech sites call out this difference.

TV Bluetooth path: You’ll hear game audio, but there’s no chat mic via the TV link. For voice chat, switch to a controller-wired mic or move to a USB adapter.

Remote Play path: Your phone or computer handles the mic. Pair the AirPods to the device and pick the device mic in party chat; it’s convenient, though lag can rise with weaker networks. Sony’s Remote Play pages outline setup and performance notes.

Sound Quality, 3D Audio, And Latency Tips

Codec basics: AirPods Pro work over AAC (and SBC as fallback). They don’t do aptX Low Latency, so some Bluetooth transmitters won’t hit the lowest lag modes your buds can’t use anyway. Expect a small delay with any Bluetooth chain. For story games, it’s fine; for twitch shooters, you may prefer a wired or PlayStation-Link headset.

3D audio on PS5: PS5 processes 3D sound for stereo headphones and TV speakers at the system level. You can enable 3D in Settings > Sound and run the ear-level measurement tool. The effect works with standard stereo outputs, which includes USB audio devices and the controller jack; calibration helps you get the best result.

Latency reality check: A direct USB audio headset still beats any Bluetooth chain for response time. If you stay with AirPods Pro, a good USB adapter gives the most stable result on PS5. Remote Play adds network travel, so keep your console on Ethernet and your device on 5GHz Wi-Fi to keep things snappy.

Step-By-Step: Pair AirPods Pro With A USB Dongle

Goal: get game audio and party chat through one tiny adapter.

1. Power the console — Turn on the PS5 and sign in.
2. Insert the adapter — Use a front or rear USB port; leave extra space for airflow.
3. Enter pairing on the adapter — Hold its button until the LED blinks fast.
4. Enter pairing on AirPods — Open the case near the adapter and hold the button until the light flashes white.
5. Wait for link — When lights go solid, the pair is set.
6. Select devices — On PS5, open Settings > Sound > Audio Output and pick the adapter; under Microphone, choose it again if supported.
7. Tune levels — Set Volume, Sidetone, and party mix to taste; run the 3D audio tool if you use it.

Troubleshooting And Safe Use Tips

• Re-pair cleanly — If the adapter won’t link, close the AirPods case, wait ten seconds, then hold the case button again near the dongle.
• Pick the right device — In Audio Output, choose the adapter, not the TV or controller, so sound doesn’t jump between outputs.
• Check mic input — In Sound > Microphone, confirm the adapter is the input. Speak and watch the level meter move.
• Lower delay — Sit closer to the console, avoid crowded USB hubs, and keep phones/routers a bit away from the adapter.
• Stabilize Remote Play — Wire the PS5 via Ethernet, use 5GHz Wi-Fi, and keep the Remote Play device near the router.
• Mind battery swaps — If the case is low, the buds may disconnect mid-match; top them up between games.
• Use 3D wisely — Calibrate once and leave it on if you like the effect. It works with stereo buds, so you don’t need a special chipset to try it.

Where This Guidance Comes From

Source mix: Sony’s support pages explain the lack of direct Bluetooth audio and how to set up 3D Audio and Remote Play. Trusted tech guides walk through the adapter method step by step. Apple-focused reporting and codec primers clarify why AirPods Pro don’t use aptX modes. These pieces line up with the paths above and reflect how players connect AirPods to PS5 today.

To circle back to the core query—can airpods pro connect to ps5? Yes, just not directly over the console’s Bluetooth. Use a USB adapter for the smoothest setup, try TV Bluetooth for quick late-night audio, or go with Remote Play when you’re away from the TV. Pick the route that matches your play style and you’ll be set in minutes. And if you came wondering, “can airpods pro connect to ps5 with a mic?”, the adapter or Remote Play routes cover chat while TV Bluetooth does not.