Apple Inc designed and developed AirPods and released them in 2016 together with the iPhone 7. AirPods use Bluetooth to connect to iPhones, Macs, and other select devices that have Bluetooth supports. If you own a pair of AirPods, you might be wondering if you can use them as gaming headsets with your Xbox One console.
So, can you connect AirPods to Xbox One? You cannot connect your AirPods to an Xbox One console because it does not have Bluetooth support for audio devices. Microsoft has its wireless technology that allows a few wireless headsets to work as gaming headsets on their consoles. Microsoft does not include Bluetooth support on its consoles to create its gaming accessories ecosystem.
If gamers use gaming accessories from rival companies like Apple Inc, it will be hard to sell their gaming accessories. You can still use your AirPods on your Xbox One via the Xbox App. You can download the Xbox App and connect your AirPods to the phone if you have a smartphone.
However, you can only use the AirPods for one function at a time. For example, if you are using it for Party Chat, you cannot hear audio from the game you are playing. The in-game audio will come through your television and its connected speakers.
AirPods are easy to use, and you can connect them to many devices that have Bluetooth support. If you have an Xbox console, you might be looking for a substitute for your wireless Xbox gaming headset.
Read on to find out if you can connect AirPods to Xbox One, connect AirPods to Xbox Series X, connect AirPods to Xbox 360, and if you can use AirPods as an Xbox mic.
AirPods are the most popular wireless headsets globally, and many people love them because of their great audio, awesome functionality, and stylish look. When gaming on your Xbox One, you can use a wireless or wired headset to listen to the in-game audio or talk to other gamers. If you have AirPods, you might be wondering if you can connect them to your Xbox One console.
You cannot connect AirPods to an Xbox One because it does not have Bluetooth support for audio devices. Microsoft, the developers of Xbox One, did not include Bluetooth support to pair AirPods to the console.
Microsoft has its wireless technology that allows a few wireless headsets to work on their consoles as gaming headsets. You can use your AirPods by connecting them to your smartphone via the Xbox app. Since your AirPods are connected to your phone, you will have to keep them near you while gaming.
You cannot connect your AirPods to an Xbox One because Microsoft wants to maintain its gaming accessories ecosystem. If you purchase an Xbox console, you also have to buy accessories from Microsoft or other authorized third-party developers.
Most gaming companies use this policy to ensure they maximize profits and stay ahead of their rivals. Microsoft and Apple Inc are rivals, and if Microsoft allows gamers to use AirPods as gaming headsets on their consoles, they might lose some of the gamers who use wireless Xbox headsets to Apple.
If you connect your AirPods to your smartphone through the Xbox app, you can only use it for one function at a time. You cannot use them to hear in-game audio and talk to other gamers at the same time. You have to pick one function that you deem important at the time.
If you choose to chat with other gamers using your AirPods while playing a video game, the in-game audio will come through your TV audio. However, this can be distracting because you have to concentrate on listening to your friends and in-game audio at the same time.
Since you are connecting your AirPods to your smartphone, you have to keep it near you at all times when gaming. The audio will also be interrupted from time to time when you receive calls or text messages unless you turn in airplane mode. If you like gaming for long hours, you need to ensure that your phone is fully charged to avoid disconnection because of a low battery.
Can You Connect AirPods To Xbox Series X?
AirPods have a great design and unique features that make them stand out among many wireless headsets in the market. If you have been using them to listen to music or watch movies on your iPad, you might be wondering if you can connect them to your Xbox Series X console.
You cannot connect AirPods to your Xbox Series X because it does not have Bluetooth support for audio devices. Any wireless gaming accessory that can connect to an Xbox Series X must meet Microsoft’s wireless standards.
Microsoft has its technology; hence, you cannot just pair your AirPods to your console via Bluetooth. However, you can use your smartphone to talk to other gamers on your Xbox Series X console via the Xbox app.
The Xbox app is available for Android, iOS, and iPadOS, and you can use it to remote play games and chat with other gamers on your friend’s list. First, download and install the Xbox app on your smartphone.
Pair your AirPods to your phone, open the Xbox app and log in to your account. You should use the same account on your Xbox Series X to log in on the Xbox app. Tap “Let’s Go” and tap on the “People icon”.
Tap on the “Headset icon” and select “Add people” to add friends to the list of people you want to chat with while gaming. If you want to stop chatting with the other gamers, you can close the Xbox app on your phone and unpair the AirPods.
When Microsoft released the Xbox Series X and S in November 2020, they continued their tradition of not including Bluetooth support for audio devices. You cannot natively connect your AirPods via Bluetooth, but you can use the Xbox app to talk to other gamers on your Xbox Series X.
You also cannot hear in-game audio when you connect the AirPods to your phone. Therefore, if you want to chat with your friends, choose a game that does not convey instructions via audio.
If you want a wireless gaming headset compatible with the Xbox Series X console, you should try the official Microsoft Xbox wireless headset. It is available on the Microsoft website for 100 US dollars.
This gaming headset is very comfortable, has bass and surround sound, and works perfectly in multiplayer mode. The only issue with this headset is that it is often sold out; hence, you have to buy it from another platform like Amazon or Best Buy.
Suppose you do not want to use the headset from Microsoft; the SteelSeries Arctis 9X has superb sound and excellent battery life. However, you have to spend a little more to get it. If money is not an issue, you can buy this headset from the Microsoft website for 200 US dollars.
Can You Connect AirPods To Xbox 360?
The Xbox 360 console is the successor to the original Xbox, and Microsoft added several features and accessories to compete with other gaming consoles from rivals. You can use either a wired or wireless headset to listen to in-game audio and chat with friends. AirPods are currently the most popular wireless earbuds in the market, and you might be wondering if you can connect them to your Xbox 360.
Unfortunately, you cannot connect your AirPods to an Xbox 360 console because it lacks Bluetooth support. Microsoft introduced wireless technology that is used to connect wireless controllers and headsets to their consoles.
AirPods use Bluetooth to connect to other devices, making them incompatible with the console. You can only use the official Xbox 360 Wireless Headset or other third-party wireless headsets with compatible technology on your console.
You can use the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset designed explicitly for the Xbox 360 console to listen to in-game audio, chat with friends, and in-game voice recognition. It uses a 2.4 GHz wireless technology to connect to the console, the same technology used in the Xbox Wireless Controller.
It can work within thirty feet of the console; hence, you are free to roam around your gaming room only if you are also using a wireless controller. This gaming headset is stylish and fits either ear and has two removable ear loops that you can remove or keep for a better fit.
Before you connect the Xbox 320 Wireless Headset to your Xbox 360 console, ensure that it is fully charged before you start using it. Turn on the console and the headset. Press and hold the Connect button on your console and also press and hold the Connect button on the headset for two seconds.
The headset will connect to the console, and the light will indicate which console your headset is connected to. Mute the headset by pressing and holding the power button located on top of the headset. Adjust the volume on the headset to your liking by pressing the “+” or “-” button.
If you do not want to use the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset, other great substitutes can perform well on your Xbox 360. The first headset you should consider is the RUNMUS K8 that has a 7.1 surround sound emulation, noise isolation and only costs 189 US dollars. The NUNWO N7 is also a great gaming headset that you can use on your Xbox 360 console.
It has great sound quality, and many settings options allowing you to pick the best audio settings, and a mic for you to communicate with other gamers. Other gaming headsets you should consider using include the BENGOO V-4 and Jeecoo Xiberia.
Can You Use AirPods for Xbox Mic?
Gaming headsets do a lot more than deliver audio to your ears. Some gaming headsets also can convey your voice to other gamers. If you have a pair of AirPods, you might be wondering if you can use them as a mic on your Xbox console.
You can use your AirPods as a mic on your Xbox console through the Xbox app. First, you need to connect your phone to your console and enable remote play. Go to your phone, pair it with your AirPods, and open the Xbox app.
Log in on the app using the same account on your Xbox console and select remote play. The audio from your console will start playing, and you can unmute the AirPods to start chatting with your friends. Do not close the app or lock your phone screen when gaming because you will disconnect it from your console if you do so.
To set up remote play on your Xbox console, press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Go to “Profile & System,” click on “Settings,” click on “Devices & connections,” and select “Remote features”.
Select the “Enable remote features” checkbox, and under the “Power” mode, select “Instant-on.” On your phone, open the Xbox app and click on the Xbox console on the top right of the screen. Click on “Remote play on this device”, and whatever programming is running on your Xbox console will appear on your phone.
You do not have to play the game on your phone; however, you need to keep the phone active the entire time. If you quit the app, lock the phone, or turn it off, the connection will be lost.
After pairing the AirPods to your phone, the mic will be muted by default, and you will have to change the settings to unmute it. To unmute the mic, go to your phone and click on the three dots to open the Xbox app menu. Click on the “Muted” icon to unmute your microphone.
You can now use the AirPods to chat with other gamers on your friends’ list. Ensure that your AirPods are fully charged before you start using them as a wireless gaming headset. Have spare wireless or wired gaming headset nearby if you will be gaming for more than six hours using the AirPods as the gaming headsets.
Finally
Wireless gaming headsets have numerous advantages such as freedom of movement, portability, compatibility with modern devices, and no more annoying cords or wires. AirPods have become the most popular wireless audio devices, and many people are using them even if they do not own iPhones or iPads.
They can connect to any device with Bluetooth, which is why they cannot be connected to Xbox consoles. Microsoft uses the 2.4 GHz wireless technology to connect wireless headsets and controllers to its consoles; hence, no need to include Bluetooth in their console. However, the Xbox app is the only way you can get around this issue, but you will not be able to use the AirPods for all functions of a wireless gaming headset.
