You can use AirPods for audio and chat, but do they connect to your Xbox One? let’s find out.
If you appreciate the ease and simplicity of AirPods and always have them on hand, you may be wondering if you can use them with your Xbox One. While they are no substitute for a good gaming headset, they are an easy option if you want to immerse yourself in a game.
Read: How to Use Xbox One Controller in Windows 10
Here’s how to connect your Airpods to your Xbox One.
How to Connect AirPods to Your Xbox One
The question “Can I connect my AirPods to my Xbox One?” The answer is somewhat complicated. AirPods are compatible with almost all Bluetooth connections, but won’t allow Siri to be used without an Apple device.
The problem with Xbox consoles is that they don’t support the type of Bluetooth connection required for audio devices. Therefore, your AirPods will not work with your Xbox One out of the box. However, there is a solution for you to use your AirPods to talk to other players.
At the moment, there’s no way for you to enjoy in-game audio directly through your AirPods. Instead, you have to use your existing entertainment system for it.
Step 1: Download Xbox App to Your Device
The Xbox app is a mobile app that lets you manage your Xbox account from your iPad, iPhone, or Android phone. It comes with communication support for you to talk to your friends. First, download the free Xbox app, then sign in with your Microsoft account. If you don’t have a Microsoft account or if your device doesn’t recognize your account information, you’ll need to select Add a new account.
This will take you through a short installation process where you will need to add your console when the option appears. Turn on your console and sign in before adding it to the app. When the app prompts you, select Activate on your console to connect your device.
Download: Xbox App for iOS | Android (Free)
Step 2: Pair your AirPods with your mobile device
The next step is to get your AirPods and pair them with the mobile device that has the Xbox app installed. Wait for the confirmation sound from your AirPods to confirm that you have connected them.
Step 3: Turn on Your Xbox and Set Up Your Party
If you haven’t turned on your Xbox yet, turn it on and get ready to chat with your friends. You’ll need to set up a chat on your Xbox to talk to them.
Step 4: Create a Party With the Xbox App
Make sure your Xbox app is open on your device and go to the People icon. Your Xbox will call this the Social section. Once selected, you’ll see two icons (a headset and a notepad) in the right corner. Select the Headphones icon to start your party. Depending on your device, you may need to allow the app to access your microphone.
Now that you’ve created your group, you can select Add People to find your friends, or enter a Gamertag if you know it. If you don’t want to create your own group, you can select the Notepad icon to scroll through your Contacts and select a person to chat with.
Step 5: Chat with your friends
When you add people to your chat, your AirPods should provide sound and act as a microphone. From there, you can chat with your friends, invite new people, and play as you normally would. If you don’t like the Xbox app, this method works for many other apps like Discord.
Why Don’t AirPods Work With Xbox Series X|S?
As Xbox Series X | The S controllers connect to the console via Bluetooth, so you can assume that other Bluetooth accessories like AirPods will work as well. However, like the Xbox One, the Xbox Series X | S does not support Bluetooth for audio connectivity.
The Bluetooth accessory must either support Microsoft’s wireless standard or have a compatible USB adapter that connects your device to your Xbox wirelessly. You can still use your AirPods to chat with your friends using the Xbox app. As you would with the Xbox One, you’ll need to download the Xbox app to your device and sync your AirPods to it.
Method 2: Use a Bluetooth Adapter
You can buy a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your Xbox controller. This will give it Bluetooth audio capability, which means you’ll be able to use your AirPods.
While this option is straightforward, if you don’t already have one, you’ll need to buy another one. It also does not always provide a reliable connection.
You can now connect your AirPods to your Xbox One (as in)
However, it may be frustrating to learn that you can’t enjoy all the audio features of your AirPods with Xbox One or Xbox Series X.
It doesn’t look like Microsoft will be changing its Bluetooth connectivity options anytime soon. In the meantime, you can use the above methods to chat with your friends using the comfort of your AirPods.