How to Connect AirPods to PS5: 5 Proven Solutions (2025 Guide)

PlayStation 5 doesn’t natively support AirPods because of Apple’s proprietary pairing protocol, but there are legitimate workarounds that actually work. This guide shows you the fastest, most reliable methods to use your AirPods while gaming on PS5.

Why PlayStation 5 Doesn’t Support AirPods (The Technical Reality)

The PS5 uses standard Bluetooth connectivity, but Apple’s AirPods are designed specifically for Apple’s proprietary H1/H2 chip pairing protocol. Unlike iPhones and Mac devices, the PS5 doesn’t recognize AirPods’ pairing signature, making direct wireless connection impossible. This isn’t a defect—it’s a deliberate ecosystem design choice by both companies.

Current as of: PS5 Firmware v25.07-12.20.00 (October 2025)

Why You Might Want to Use AirPods With Your PS5 Anyway

• Convenience: You already own AirPods, so why buy separate headphones just for gaming?
• Comfort: AirPods fit your ears better than other options, and you’re familiar with how they work
• Multi-device switching: AirPods seamlessly switch between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac—you might want them to work with PS5 too
• Quality audio: For streaming content (YouTube, Twitch) rather than competitive gaming, AirPods deliver solid audio without separate hardware purchases

Real Limitations You Should Know Before Trying These Fixes

• Latency matters for competitive gaming: Any workaround adds delay (50-100ms typically). This is fine for single-player games and streaming, but unacceptable for fast-paced competitive titles like Call of Duty or Fortnite
• Setup varies by method: Some solutions require purchasing adapters ($20-40) or using cables, while others require your iPhone nearby
• No official PS5 support: Sony hasn’t released firmware updates to directly support AirPods, so these are workarounds, not permanent solutions

Solution #1: Use a USB Bluetooth Adapter (Fastest Setup)

This is the most straightforward method if you want complete wireless freedom.

What you need:

• A PS5-compatible USB Bluetooth 5.0 adapter (ASUS USB-BT500 is widely confirmed to work; verify your specific PS5 model number against the adapter manufacturer’s compatibility list before purchasing)
• Your AirPods
• A free USB port on your PS5

Steps:

1. Purchase a compatible adapter: The ASUS USB-BT500 (Bluetooth 5.0+EDR, up to 3 Mbps data rate, 10-meter range) is confirmed to work with PS5. Check the adapter manufacturer’s website to verify compatibility with your specific PS5 model number (found in Settings > System > System Information).

2. Plug the adapter into any available USB port on the back or front of your PS5. The PS5 will recognize it automatically.

3. Prepare your AirPods for pairing: Open your AirPods case and hold the setup button on the back for 15 seconds until the LED flashes white. This puts your AirPods into pairing mode.

4. Pair through PS5 Settings: Go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers and Devices > Other Devices. Your AirPods should appear in the available devices list.

5. Select your AirPods from the list and confirm pairing. The PS5 will display “Connected” once successful.

Pros: Complete wireless audio, one-time setup, works with all games Cons: Requires purchasing an adapter ($20-40), adds slight latency, not every adapter model is compatible

Sources: ASUS USB-BT500 Official Technical Specifications, PlayStation Support documentation

Solution #2: Connect via iPhone Using Audio Sharing (No Hardware Needed)

If you don’t want to buy an adapter, you can use your iPhone as an audio bridge—but this only works for streaming apps, not game audio.

What you need:

• Your iPhone (iOS 16.1 or later)
• Your AirPods
• Your PS5 and iPhone on the same Wi-Fi network

Steps:

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone normally using Bluetooth settings.

2. Open a streaming app on PS5 like YouTube or Twitch. Regular game audio won’t work with this method—only streaming content.

3. Cast or stream through your iPhone: Some streaming apps allow you to control playback from your phone, with audio routed to your AirPods. However, this works best for watching content rather than gaming.

Important clarification: iOS 18.2 and later do NOT include a “Bluetooth Audio Relay” feature for PS5. This method relies on standard audio sharing between your iPhone and AirPods—it doesn’t relay PS5 game audio to your AirPods directly.

Pros: No hardware purchase required, uses devices you already own Cons: Works only with streaming apps (YouTube, Twitch), NOT with game audio; requires iPhone nearby; higher latency; complex setup

Note: Discord cannot be downloaded on PS5 (only web version accessible via browser), so this method doesn’t work for PS5-based Discord audio.

Sources: Apple AirPods feature documentation, PS5 app compatibility documentation, PlayStation Official Broadcasting guide

Solution #3: Use a 3.5mm Aux Cable (Most Reliable for Mixed Use)

This hybrid approach keeps your AirPods connected to your Apple device while routing audio through a cable to your PS5 controller.

What you need:

• A 3.5mm aux cable (standard audio cable, ~$5-10)
• Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac (with AirPods connected)
• Your PS5 DualSense controller
• Game audio configured to output through the controller headphone jack

Steps:

1. Connect one end of the aux cable to your AirPods-connected device’s audio output (if available). For most cases, you’ll connect your iPhone/iPad with AirPods to a portable Bluetooth speaker or use the device’s audio output.

2. Connect the other end of the aux cable to the DualSense controller’s 3.5mm headphone jack (located on the bottom of the controller).

3. In PS5 Settings, go to Sound and Devices > Audio Output and select “Headphones connected to controller”.

4. Test audio: Start a game and verify game sound comes through your AirPods via the aux cable connection.

Important note: The PS5 DualSense controller’s 3.5mm jack supports both audio output and microphone input, creating a functional audio bridge between your Apple device and PS5.

Pros: Very reliable, works with all games and apps, no wireless latency issues, inexpensive Cons: Requires a cable tethering you to your controller, less convenient than wireless, not practical for multiplayer (you’ll be wired to your controller)

Sources: PlayStation Official Announcements, iFixit PS5 hardware guides, GameSpot hardware documentation

Solution #4: Verify Your PS5 Firmware Is Current (Often Overlooked)

Before trying any workaround, make sure your PS5 is running the latest firmware. Some updates improve Bluetooth adapter compatibility.

Steps:

1. Go to Settings > System > System Software on your PS5.

2. Check “System Software Version” at the top. As of October 2025, the latest version is v25.07-12.20.00, which includes general stability improvements and enhanced Bluetooth adapter support.

3. If an update is available, select “Update” and wait for installation to complete fully. Do NOT interrupt this process—incomplete updates can cause pairing failures.

4. After updating, restart your PS5 completely (full shutdown, not rest mode) before testing any Bluetooth adapter or workaround.

Why this matters: Firmware v9.00 and later officially support third-party Bluetooth adapters. If you’re running older firmware, adapter compatibility may be limited.

Sources: PlayStation Official Blog (July 2025), PlayStation Support documentation, Push Square (October 2025 firmware update coverage)

Solution #5: Reset AirPods and PS5 Pairing Completely (When Nothing Works)

If none of the above solutions work, start completely fresh by clearing all pairing data.

Steps:

1. Reset your AirPods to factory settings: Hold the setup button on the back of your AirPods case for 15 seconds until the LED flashes white, then amber, then white again. This clears all pairing data.

2. Clear PS5 Bluetooth devices: Go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers and Devices > Other Devices and remove any failed pairing attempts or previous AirPods connections.

3. Perform a complete PS5 restart (not rest mode): Go to Settings > System > Power and Startup > Power Mode and Startup Settings > Reset Options and select a full system shutdown, then power on again.

4. Try pairing again from scratch using your preferred solution from above. Your AirPods should now pair cleanly without interference from old pairing attempts.

When to use this: Only try this if you’ve attempted other solutions and still can’t connect. It’s the “nuclear option” because it removes all stored pairing data.

Sources: PlayStation Support documentation, Apple AirPods troubleshooting guides

Regional Variations and Model Compatibility You Should Check

PS5 hardware differs slightly between regions, which can affect Bluetooth adapter compatibility:

Regional PS5 Models:

• North America: CFI-1015A and CFI-1015B
• Europe: CFI-1016A
• Asia: Varies by country (check your system information for exact model)

Find your model number: Go to Settings > System > System Information and note your CFI model number.

What this means for you: Before purchasing a USB Bluetooth adapter, cross-reference your specific PS5 model number with the adapter manufacturer’s compatibility list. While all regional models support USB Bluetooth adapters since firmware v9.00, specific adapter models may have been tested primarily on North American hardware. Checking compatibility first saves you from purchasing an incompatible adapter.

iOS version note: If you’re using Solution #2 (iPhone audio sharing), you’ll need iOS 16.1 or later. iOS 18.2 and later do NOT include new features specifically for PS5 audio relay—they maintain standard AirPods connectivity features like Voice Isolation, Adaptive Audio customization, and Audio Sharing between two pairs of AirPods.

Latest firmware available globally: PS5 Firmware v25.07-12.20.00 (October 2025) is available in all regions and includes the latest Bluetooth adapter compatibility improvements.

Sources: PS5 Developer Wiki, PlayStation Support documentation, Apple iOS 18 official announcements

Connecting AirPods to PS5 requires a workaround because of Apple’s proprietary pairing protocol, but you have real options: buy a USB Bluetooth adapter for complete wireless freedom, use your iPhone for streaming content, or use an aux cable for reliable game audio. Start with Solution #1 if you game regularly, Solution #3 if you want reliability without extra purchases, or verify your firmware is current first—sometimes the simplest fix works best. Choose the method that matches your gaming habits and budget, then follow the steps carefully.