Apple TV has drastically risen to become a go-to streaming service for users globally. One of its impressive features is allowing you to connect headphones using Bluetooth and privately listen to your shows. You may want to invite some friends over, thus you want to know the maximum number of AirPods you can pair to Apple TV at a time.
So, how many AirPods connect to Apple TV? Apple TV allows up to two sets of AirPods to connect simultaneously. This means that two people can listen to audio from the Apple TV using their own AirPods without disturbing others around them. To connect AirPods to an Apple TV, you can go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth and select the AirPods you want to use. If you want to switch to another set of AirPods, you can simply disconnect the first pair and connect the second pair using the same method.
Apple allows you to link a maximum of two AirPods or headsets at a time to the Apple TV. As long as you have paired the two earbuds correctly via Bluetooth, they can receive audio transmission independently, and you can increase and reduce the volume on either pair. However, this will only work if you use the latest Apple TV operating system and have a stable Bluetooth connection.
Using AirPods with your Apple TV gives you a better experience. You don’t have to worry about disturbing your family when it’s late at night, and you can turn up the volume as much as you like. The case is different when you are not watching alone and want to link another pair of AirPods.
Luckily, Apple allows users to connect up to two headphones at a go to their Apple TV. Therefore, you can host a friend or a relative and watch the same shows together using different pairs of AirPods.
You can also use alternative compatible headsets, but the limit remains at only two. The caveat is that your TV box must be using the most current operating system (at least the tvOS14), and your headsets should be compatible with Bluetooth systems like AAC or SBC.
Apple TV strives to give users the best and most flexible watching experience, and it has achieved this by letting you receive audio transmission wirelessly through Bluetooth headsets. If you share the TV but don’t want to bug other people in the house, you can link your AirPods and listen alone. It also works if there is noise around because you can focus better on the sound and even increase the volume as much as you want.
AirPods are the preferred wireless gadgets to link with the TV because the process is more straightforward, and their tiny size makes them more convenient. The only limitation is that you can only connect two pairs to the Apple TV simultaneously, identical to other headset versions.
Another rule is that the TV’s operating system must be running the latest and compatible software version, preferably tvOS14 or better. Secondly, the headphones should have supported Bluetooth techs like AAC or SBC.
Not all headphones can link effortlessly with the Apple TV unless they have the above system types. Apple uses AAC, and while others also have support, it is still essential to confirm compatibility before buying a new pair of headsets for use with the Apple TV.
Fortunately, Apple is still increasing its devices’ capabilities and may allow connection to more headphones in the future but supporting linking to more than one Bluetooth earpiece is already impressive.
If you are having trouble connecting two AirPods to the Apple TV, you’ll be excited that it is a straightforward process. First, long-press the Home key on the remote until the Control center pops up on display. Next, click Audio Control and navigate down to find the headsets you need to add and tap on them.
If you can’t see your AirPods, you can select Settings, then Devices, and see all the available headsets. Finally, click Share Audio, then follow the necessary prompts to add another pair of headphones.
How To Connect AirPods To Apple TV
Generally, most AirPods users link it to an iPhone when making calls or listening to music or movies. The earpieces are tiny but convenient, portable, and easy to use while offering top-notch entertainment. Fortunately, Apple also allows users to link their TVs with AirPods, and the following is a detailed guide on how best to pair the two.
To connect AirPods to Apple TV, follow these steps:
- Ensure that your AirPods are charged and within the Bluetooth range of your Apple TV.
- On your Apple TV, go to “Settings” using the Siri Remote.
- Select “Remotes and Devices” and then select “Bluetooth”.
- Turn on your AirPods by opening the case and removing them from it. The AirPods should automatically enter pairing mode.
- On your Apple TV, select your AirPods from the list of available Bluetooth devices.
- Wait for the AirPods to connect to your Apple TV. Once connected, the AirPods will appear under the “Connected Devices” section of the Bluetooth settings.
- Adjust the volume of the AirPods using the Siri Remote.
That’s it! You should now be able to enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies with your AirPods connected to your Apple TV.
Afterward, activate the AirPods by pressing the button on the case until you notice a white light blinking, meaning that the earbuds are running and ready to pair. Select the AirPods to connect from the Bluetooth list available on the Apple TV. Alternatively, you can use iCloud to link the devices if they share the same Apple ID or tether the AirPods to the TV via audio settings.
AirPods and Apple TV are all products from the same manufacturer; hence, they must be linked by default. There are manual and automatic connection procedures to deploy. For instance, you can go for Bluetooth pairing, one of the fastest manual connection methods. It involves starting the TV, proceeding to Settings, followed by Devices and Remotes, and lastly, Bluetooth.
If the AirPods are on, they will appear in the list of items to pair, and you can click the option and enjoy listening. Bluetooth lets you link with Apple TV even when their Apple IDs are not the same. Another manual tethering workaround involves using the audio settings. You will open the Settings on the TV then select the audio and video tab before pressing the audio output key.
On the next screen, choose “Temporary Audio Output,” then open Bluetooth on your AirPods, check if it appears in the ready-to-pair list, and select it to connect the two. Besides, the process becomes easier if the AirPods and TV have similar accounts settings because linking is automatic. For this process to work, ensure that all your Apple devices, including your watch, identify with a similar Apple account.
The next step is to link AirPods via iCloud. First, leave the earplugs open to enable the wireless connection, switch on the Apple TV, and navigate the home screen. Using your Apple TV remote, long-press the play and pause button, then, a screen will appear with options of devices you can pair with the TV.
If you see the AirPods in the available options, tap on them to connect to the Apple TV. The procedure primarily involves pressing down the pause/play key, and if your earplugs were already on, you can pair and get audio output from your TV.
AirPods Not Connecting To Apple TV
Any AirPod user will tell you that one of the devices’ best qualities is how easily they pair with other gadgets. Therefore, it is heartbreaking to keep trying to connect them to Apple TV, but the pairing fails each time. The following are some quick remedies that may help you fix this problem.
If you are experiencing issues with connecting your AirPods to your Apple TV, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the problem:
- Make sure that your AirPods are fully charged and in range of your Apple TV’s Bluetooth signal.
- Verify that your AirPods are not currently connected to any other device. If they are, disconnect them before attempting to connect them to your Apple TV.
- Try restarting your AirPods by placing them back in their case and waiting for 30 seconds before reopening the lid.
- Restart your Apple TV by going to “Settings” > “System” > “Restart”. Alternatively, unplug your Apple TV from the power source, wait a few seconds, and then plug it back in.
- Reset your AirPods by holding down the button on the back of the AirPods case for 15 seconds until the LED light on the front of the case flashes amber.
- Check that your Apple TV is running the latest software version. If an update is available, go to “Settings” > “System” > “Software Updates” and select “Update Software”.
- Disconnect any other Bluetooth devices that may be interfering with the connection between your AirPods and your Apple TV.
If these troubleshooting steps do not work, it may be necessary to contact Apple Support for further assistance.
There are several reasons why you may have connection issues with your AirPods and Apple TV. First, you may be running on an outdated operating system, the Bluetooth connection could be off or not functioning correctly, or the AirPods may have a low battery. It is pretty easy to solve such issues.
You can first update the Apple TV’s OS to the most compatible version or reset it to eliminate any bugs. You can also check that you have paired the AirPods properly and unpair, then connect again to be sure. Lastly, confirm that the Bluetooth connection works seamlessly to allow smooth operation with the buds.
AirPods offer users an incredible way to stream shows on Apple TV with the volume down to avoid distracting other people around. However, this can only work if you pair the earpieces with the TV. The following tips may help if you have any connection issues.
- Install Updates
As with any other Apple device, you will notice that updates quickly fix underlying bug issues, and the case is no different with the Apple TV. You need the most current version, preferably the tvOS 14 or better, for smooth operations.
It is best to update your system frequently, and you can confirm whether they are available through the device’s settings. From the Settings, navigate to the System Settings then Software Updates, and if there is a new version, you can always download then install it. Finally, you can retry connecting the AirPods After a successful upgrade.
- Reset TV
Another effective solution involves resetting the TV back to default to get rid of system errors. Scroll to “System” and tap Reset from the Settings, and two options will pop up. One, you can reset the TV to default factory settings or reset and install the latest update simultaneously. The latter works best if you want to make two fixes simultaneously. This adjustment should now allow smooth pairing with other gadgets.
- Check AirPods Pairing
If you have done the two fixes above and nothing seems to work, a logical explanation may be that you have not paired the pods correctly. To be sure, place the buds in the enclosure, then long-press the pairing key until the light comes up.
Afterward, go to the Settings on the Apple TV, scroll to Devices, select Bluetooth and finally pick the AirPods from the options. After pairing successfully, the next step is to set the buds as the sound output by holding the play key on the remote and tapping on the AirPods when they appear on the home screen menu.
How To Connect Apple TV To External Speakers
Apple TV 4K is loaded with some of the best content for viewers across all ages. Unfortunately, the device’s internal speakers may not offer the best sound quality that you need, especially if your TV is in a large room. The only way to resolve this is to connect external speakers to the device, and here is how to do it.
To connect Apple TV to external speakers, follow these steps:
- Determine the type of audio input on your external speakers. Some common audio inputs include HDMI, optical, and analog.
- Connect the Apple TV to your TV using an HDMI cable.
- Connect your external speakers to the TV using the appropriate audio cable. If your TV has an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port, you can use an HDMI cable to connect your external speakers.
- Power on your Apple TV, TV, and external speakers.
- On your Apple TV, go to “Settings” using the Siri Remote.
- Select “Video and Audio” and then select “Audio Output”.
- Choose the audio output you want to use. If you connected your external speakers to your TV using HDMI ARC, select “HDMI” as the audio output.
- Adjust the volume of your external speakers using the TV remote or the volume buttons on your external speakers.
That’s it! You should now be able to enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows, and music with better sound quality through your external speakers.
To connect Apple TV to external speakers using Bluetooth, first, initiate Bluetooth on your external speaker, open the Apple TV, and navigate Settings. Click “Remotes and Devices” on the next screen before selecting Bluetooth for the TV to search for nearby active devices.
Since the speaker already has Bluetooth on, you will see it under the devices to connect but be careful that the name you select belongs to the particular speaker you want to use. Alternatively, you can link the TV to your speaker via an HDMI cable or optical ports.
The connection mode between your speaker and the Apple TV depends on certain factors. Ultimately, it relies on the generation of your gadget because it will determine how you tether it to the audio output.
Secondly, the nature of your ports will tell you whether to use an HDMI, Toslink, or an adapter. The most common and convenient method to link an external speaker to an Apple TV is Bluetooth since most users have the new models.
Regardless of your Apple TV generation, there are still alternative ways to link your devices. Ensure that the external speaker is Bluetooth enabled if you want a wireless connection. You will then navigate to Settings, Devices and finally accept Bluetooth. The TV should recognize the speaker, allowing you to click to pair, but be cautious because you can mistakenly link the wrong device in the list of ready-to-pair items.
Besides Bluetooth, you can opt for the HDMI, where you only need a cable with a compatible head on both sides. Luckily, the port is synonymous with Apple TV devices, and you can confirm if the speaker has a similar functional input port.
If the two have working HDMI links, it is easier to insert one end to the back of the TV set and the other to your audio output. If your Apple TV doesn’t support an HDMI connection, you still have another workaround, optical ports.
Using an optical cable or Toslink is a practical connection method. Apple TVs from the 3rd generation have an optical port, making it a viable alternative if your device doesn’t have an HDMI slot.
You will need an optical or Toslink cable for the TV and the speaker. Finally, a converter will come in handy if you have mismatched ports but want a wired connection. The device will help you transform the HDMI port on your Apple TV to function with the optical port on your speaker.
Wrap Up
Since the introduction of Wireless earpieces like the AirPods, users find it easier to listen privately to shows or music. Luckily, the technology has moved to TVs, and Apple has made it easier for users to receive audio better even without connecting to wires. The process of linking your AirPods to your Apple TV is pretty straightforward, and it is excellent that you can connect two pairs simultaneously.
You can also pair other headset versions as long as they are compatible. It is best to update your Apple TV software to the current operating system to ensure a seamless Bluetooth connection. If you have issues with the pairing, you can reset the device to eliminate present errors or un-pair, then re-pair the AirPods.
