How to connect Bluetooth headphones to Xbox Series X: Link up your Apple AirPods, Samsung Galaxy Buds or any wireless headset to the Xbox Series S or X


With better connectivity and battery life than ever before, wireless headphones and headsets are becoming more and more viable for gaming. So you may well want to connect up your brand new Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console to your wireless Bluetooth audio device of choice!

As products such as the Apple AirPods and the Samsung Galaxy Buds are more popular than ever, we have decided to break-down how Xbox Series X users can connect their Bluetooth headphones and earbuds to the console.

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Read below to find out everything you need to know to connect your Bluetooth headphones to the Xbox Series X...

How to connect Bluetooth headphones or gaming headset to Xbox Series X or S

Microsoft chose not to integrate Bluetooth connections to the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S, so the process of connecting Bluetooth headphones isn’t as easy as one might expect. That said, with the correct equipment, its is still doable.

You'll need to get yourself a Bluetooth adapter, which you'll plug into the audio output on your TV or monitor - this will connect the noise from your telly to your Bluetooth headphones, bypassing the fact that your Xbox itself doesn't support Bluetooth. 

You can get Bluetooth transmitters from Amazon from around £24.99 / $29.99 / €29.99, although there are some cheaper versions available. We'd say just look for one with good reviews - like the one at this link here.

Once the adapter is powered on, it can be plugged into your TV or monitor's audio output jack. Next, put your headphones into pairing mode and press the pairing button on the adapter - they should find each other easily, leaving you to play on your Xbox using your wireless headphones. And as an added bonus, you can watch TV quietly too!

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Apple Airpods pro review price worth buying
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The Apple of your eye?

How to connect Apple AirPods with Xbox Series X or S

If you wish to use the Apple Airpods to listen for footsteps and talk to your friends in-game on the Xbox Series X or S, picking up an adapter can help. 

Following all the previous steps to connect Bluetooth headphones should result in the AirPods working as required. 

When you need to enter the Airpods into pairing mode, open the case’s lid with the Airpods inside and hold the button on the back of the case.

The activation of pairing mode will be indicated by a flashing white light in between the two AirPods. Next, make sure your Bluetooth transmitter/adapter is pairing too, and you will be gaming with the Airpods in no time.

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Your best buds?
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Your best buds?

How to pair Galaxy Buds with Xbox Series X or S

Just like the Apple Airpods, the process to pair the Galaxy Buds is quick and easy once you've bought a wireless transmitter for your Xbox Series X and connected it to your TV's audio output.

To get the Galaxy Buds to enter pairing mode, simply insert the earbuds into the charging case and close the case. As laid out on Samsung’s support page, “If the battery indicator light doesn't flash you'll need to charge the earbuds for at least 10 minutes before they'll pair”.

Next, open the Galaxy Buds charging case and the earbuds will “automatically enter Bluetooth pairing mode.”

Assuming both the Bluetooth adapter and the Galaxy Buds are in pairing mode, they should have no trouble connecting and providing you with crisp clean audio while gaming on the Xbox Series X or S.

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For more articles like this, take a look at our How To, Next-Gen, and Xbox pages.