How To Connect AirPods To A Smart TV?
To connect AirPods to a smart TV, ensure your TV supports Bluetooth audio. For Apple TV: Open Control Center using the remote, select headphones, and choose your AirPods. For non-Apple TVs: Navigate to Bluetooth settings, put AirPods in pairing mode, and select them from discovered devices. Compatibility varies by TV model—some require external Bluetooth transmitters like Avantree’s solutions for seamless integration.
How Do I Use My Own Headphones on a Plane?How do I pair AirPods with Apple TV?
Pairing AirPods with Apple TV requires matching Apple IDs and updated tvOS. Hold the remote’s TV button to access Control Center, select your AirPods under audio devices, and confirm pairing. Pro Tip: Disable “Suggest Nearby AirPods” in settings to prevent unwanted prompts during movie nights.
Apple TV automatically detects AirPods signed into your iCloud account, but manual pairing ensures reliability. Navigate to Settings > Remotes & Devices > Bluetooth, then hold your AirPods case button until the LED flashes white. Select them under “Other Devices” to establish a connection. For example, AirPods Pro 2 users must hold the case’s indentation for 5 seconds—tapping won’t activate pairing mode. Transitionally, while automatic detection works 80% of the time, manual pairing resolves most connectivity hiccups. Always verify tvOS updates under System > Software to maintain compatibility.
Can I connect AirPods to non-Apple smart TVs?
Yes, through Bluetooth settings if supported. Open your TV’s audio/accessory menu, enable pairing mode on AirPods, and select them from available devices. Brands like Samsung/LG typically show “AirPods” as the device name. Pro Tip: Reset AirPods (hold case button 15 seconds) if they don’t appear in discovery lists.
Non-Apple TVs handle AirPods as standard Bluetooth headphones. Access settings via your remote’s gear icon, navigate to Sound > Speaker Settings > Bluetooth, then open the AirPods case while pressing the pairing button. Practically speaking, TVs made after 2018 generally support AAC codecs for decent audio quality. However, expect minor lip-sync delays during video playback—a common limitation where Avantree’s low-latency transmitters excel. For example, LG OLED C3 users report 150ms delay with native Bluetooth versus 40ms using external transmitters. Transitionally, newer TVs with Bluetooth 5.2 perform better but still lag behind dedicated audio solutions.
| TV Type | Pairing Method | Latency |
|---|---|---|
| Apple TV | Automatic/Hardware Pair | 20ms |
| Android TV | Manual Bluetooth | 120-200ms |
Why won’t my AirPods connect to my TV?
Common causes include outdated firmware, Bluetooth range limits (stay within 10 feet), or codec incompatibility. Reset AirPods and reboot the TV—if issues persist, use an optical-to-Bluetooth transmitter like Avantree’s Ensemble for guaranteed compatibility.
Smart TVs often struggle with Apple’s proprietary H1/H2 chip protocols. First, verify Bluetooth visibility: Samsung TVs require enabling “SoundConnect” in expert settings. Next, check for audio format conflicts—disable Dolby Atmos if available. Transitionally, older AirPods (Gen 1-2) face more issues than Gen 3/Pro models. A real-world example: Sony Bravia X90K users solved persistent drops by changing Bluetooth audio from “Priority Sound Quality” to “Stable Connection”. If all else fails, Avantree’s Relay transmitter bridges 95% of compatibility gaps through universal SBC codec support.
Avantree Expert Insight
FAQs
Only with Bluetooth-enabled models supporting A2DP profiles. Pre-2016 TVs often require external adapters.
Can I use AirPods Pro spatial audio with TVs?Yes, but only through Apple TV 4K (2021+)—standard TVs lack head-tracking sensors and Dolby Atmos processing.