How to Connect AirPods to Any TV — Samsung, LG, Sony & More

Step 0: Put AirPods in Pairing Mode (All Methods)

No matter which TV or device you're connecting to, you need to do this first:

1. Place both AirPods in the charging case.
2. Open the lid of the case.
3. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case for 3–5 seconds.
4. The status light will flash white — this means pairing mode is active.

AirPods Max: Press and hold the noise control button for 5 seconds until the status light flashes white.

Connect AirPods to Samsung TV

1. On your Samsung TV remote, press Home.
2. Go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output.
3. Select Bluetooth Speaker List.
4. Your TV will scan for devices. Select your AirPods from the list.
5. Once connected, audio will route to your AirPods immediately.

Note: Samsung TVs from 2017 and later support Bluetooth audio output. Older models may not have this option.

Connect AirPods to LG TV (webOS)

1. Press the Home button on your LG remote.
2. Go to Settings (gear icon) > Sound > Sound Out.
3. Select Use Wireless Speaker > Bluetooth Device.
4. Choose your AirPods from the list of available devices.

Tip: If you don't see the Bluetooth option, your LG TV may need a firmware update. Go to Settings > All Settings > Support > Software Update.

Connect AirPods to Sony TV (Google TV / Android TV)

1. Go to Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Pair accessory (or Settings > Bluetooth Settings on older models).
2. With AirPods in pairing mode, they should appear in the device list.
3. Select your AirPods and confirm pairing.

Sony Bravia TVs with Google TV have excellent Bluetooth support. Android TV models from 2018+ also work well.

Connect AirPods to Apple TV

This is the easiest method — Apple TV natively supports AirPods with full feature support including Spatial Audio.

1. On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Bluetooth.
2. With AirPods in pairing mode, select them from the list.
3. Even easier: If your AirPods are already paired to your iPhone and you use the same Apple ID on Apple TV, just hold your AirPods near the Apple TV — they'll appear as an audio option automatically.

Bonus: AirPods Pro and AirPods 3/4 support Spatial Audio with head tracking on Apple TV 4K, making movies sound incredible.

Connect AirPods to Roku

Roku devices don't support direct Bluetooth audio from AirPods, but there's a workaround using the Roku mobile app:

1. Connect your AirPods to your iPhone (they pair automatically when you open the case near your phone).
2. Open the Roku app on your iPhone.
3. Start playing content on your Roku.
4. In the Roku app, tap the headphone icon to enable Private Listening.
5. Audio will route from Roku → iPhone → AirPods.

Note: Some newer Roku TVs (not streaming sticks) have Bluetooth built in. Check Settings > Remotes & Devices > Bluetooth on your Roku TV.

Connect AirPods to Amazon Fire Stick

1. On your Fire Stick, go to Settings > Controllers & Bluetooth Devices > Other Bluetooth Devices.
2. Select Add Bluetooth Devices.
3. With AirPods in pairing mode, they'll appear in the list.
4. Select them and wait for "Connected" to appear.

All Fire Stick generations support Bluetooth audio. Fire TV Cube and Fire TV Stick 4K work particularly well with minimal audio delay.

Troubleshooting: AirPods Won't Connect to TV

• AirPods don't appear in the list: Make sure the status light is flashing white (pairing mode). If it's not, close the lid, wait 15 seconds, reopen and hold the button again.
• Audio lag/delay: This is common with Bluetooth on non-Apple devices. Try turning off any audio processing or "surround sound" modes on the TV. Use the "Game Mode" audio preset for lowest latency.
• AirPods keep disconnecting: Forget the AirPods from the TV's Bluetooth settings and re-pair them. Also ensure the AirPods are charged above 20%.
• No Bluetooth option on TV: Your TV may not support Bluetooth audio output. Use a Bluetooth transmitter — plug it into the TV's 3.5mm or optical audio jack.
• Connected but no sound: Check the TV's Sound Output setting is set to Bluetooth, not TV speakers.

TV Too Old for Bluetooth? Use a Bluetooth Transmitter

If your TV doesn't have Bluetooth, a Bluetooth audio transmitter plugs into the headphone jack or optical port and broadcasts audio wirelessly to your AirPods. They cost around $20–$35 and work with any TV.

Need Help with Your AirPods?

If your AirPods won't enter pairing mode, have connection issues across all devices, or one AirPod isn't working, there may be a hardware problem.