If you’re viewing your favorite movies and shows on an Apple TV, other people in the room might prefer it if you kept your streaming to yourself. This is not usually the case, but it does happen from time to time. We look at the most straightforward and time-saving techniques for connecting AirPods to Apple TV so you can enjoy movies without disturbing others in the room.
We’re all aware of the lightning-fast connection that AirPods and iPhones can create.
However, this is only sometimes the case with other of their less popular and non-daily driving products, such as the Apple TV. Even though they are still part of the same ecosystem, Apple TV lacks the pop-up pairing prompt that allows you to pair both devices in the blink of an eye. This makes using Apple TV to connect two devices more complex.
Consumers unfamiliar with the pairing method and the parameters that must be satisfied to commence may need help to correctly link their AirPods with their Apple TVs. You’re lucky because we’ll guide you through every possible strategy to reach your goal and teach you how to do it in just a few minutes. Let’s just get started, shall we?
Why can’t you find AirPods on Apple TV?
You cannot detect the AirPods on Apple TV because they are either uncharged or the case lid is closed. If you complete the cover of the AirPods case, the headphones will not appear when you search for them on Apple TV. Furthermore, if the AirPods do not have enough battery remaining, they will switch off.
This post will explain why the AirPods do not appear when connected to Apple TV and will then go over the different remedies to this problem. In addition, we will show you how to connect them to Apple TV. Using this pairing method, any model of AirPods or Apple TV will be able to interact with one another.
However, suppose you have AirPods that enable Dolby Atmos audio capabilities (such as the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods of the third generation, or AirPods Max), as well as an Apple TV that supports Dolby Atmos. In that case, the results will be significantly better (the Apple TV 4K or later models). Dolby Atmos is the technology that allows Apple devices to support Spatial Audio. If you’re interested, we also offer a guide on how to set up Dolby Atmos. Let’s get started.
Why are AirPods Not Showing on Apple TV
To begin, let me show you why the AirPods aren’t showing up on your Apple TV. You need to identify the cause of the problem to address it. You will then be able to put the solutions into action. The absence of AirPods on Apple TV can be attributable to a variety of issues, all of which we uncovered via our research.
Following that, they will be displayed to you in the form of a list. We’ve added brief explanations along with the underlying factors to help you understand better. Go over each of the reasons and underline the one that concerns you the most. The following are some of the reasons why AirPods aren’t available on Apple TV:
- The lid of the AirPods case is closed.
- Backdated Apple TVOS.
- Insufficient charge in AirPods.
How to Fix AirPods Not Showing on Apple TV
As you can see, there are several potential reasons why AirPods do not appear on Apple TV. Some of these causes are hardware-related, while others are software-related; nevertheless, we have solved every one of these difficulties. If you have previously paired your AirPods or AirPods Pro with an iPhone or iPad, connecting them to an Apple TV is a breeze.
This is because Apple TV includes a function that allows users to check in using their Apple ID. Additionally, if you use the same Apple ID on the AirPods and the Apple TV, they will connect instantly (through your iPhone).
Prepare all of your tools before beginning. Insert your AirPods into the charging case and begin the charging process. Ensure that your Apple TV is running the latest version of tvOS by activating it and checking for updates. Checking that your AirPods and Apple TV are both logged into the same account and syncing with the same iCloud will make the process of setting things up much more straightforward.
Please update the firmware on both your AirPods and your Apple TV to guarantee that the pairing process is successful.
The following are solutions to the issue of AirPods not showing up on Apple TV:
Open the AirPods Case’s Lid Before Connecting
If your AirPods aren’t showing up on your Apple TV, the lid of their case is most likely closed. In the great majority of circumstances, this is true. The charging case’s cover must be removed before the Apple AirPods may be put into pairing mode. The process of automatically connecting the AirPods to a device begins as soon as the lid of the AirPods case is opened.
As a result, if you search for AirPods on your Apple TV when the top of the AirPods is closed, you will not be able to see them in your TV’s Bluetooth devices list. This is because the cover interferes with the AirPods’ ability to communicate with other Bluetooth devices.
Check If the AirPods Have Enough Charge
Another common issue that may develop if you are unable to discover the AirPods in your Apple TV’s Bluetooth devices list is that the AirPods may need more charge to begin the pairing procedure. The AirPods charging case can only fully charge the headphones for a limited period. As a result, to have a trouble-free experience with the AirPods case, you must always charge it. When your AirPods have enough juice, they will connect to your Apple devices without any more work on your side. However, suppose they need to be sufficiently charged. In that case, they will not begin the process of automatically pairing with each other, and you will be unable to identify them on your Apple TV.
Upgrade the Apple TVOS
To use AirPods of the third generation, you must have an iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 15.1 or later, an iPad running iPadOS 15.1 or later, an Apple Watch running watchOS 8.1 or later, an Apple TV running tvOS 15.1 or later, or a Mac running macOS 12 or later. You should update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch; you should also update your Apple Watch and Apple TV, and you should update your Mac.
- You’ll need an iPhone or iPod touch running iOS 13.2 or later, an iPad running iPadOS 13.2 or later, an Apple Watch running watchOS 6.1 or later, an Apple TV running tvOS 13.2 or later, or a Mac running macOS 10.15.1 or later to use AirPods Pro.
- To use AirPods, you must have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 12.2 or later; an Apple Watch running watchOS 5.2 or later; an Apple TV running tvOS 12.2 or later; or a Mac running macOS 10.14.4 or later (2nd generation).
- To use AirPods from the first generation, you must have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 10 or later; an Apple Watch running watchOS 3 or later; an Apple TV running tvOS 11 or later; or a Mac running macOS Sierra or later.
How to Connect AirPods with Apple TV
Because the method is so simple, connecting your AirPods to your Apple TV will take you no more than a few minutes. It is fine if you are inexperienced with the technique since we are here to help. We’ve included extensive, step-by-step instructions to enable you through the process of connecting your AirPods to your Apple TV.
You must carefully follow the methods given in the instructions to connect your AirPods to your Apple TV. The following are the procedures for connecting AirPods to an Apple TV:
- To enter pairing mode, open the AirPods case and push and hold the button behind the case until the white light within the case begins to flash.
- Use the Settings app to set up your Apple TV.
- Go to the Remotes and Devices menu and select Bluetooth.
- Select your AirPods from the list of other connected devices.
- Select the Connect Device menu option to connect the TV to the AirPods.
Your AirPods should now be linked to your Apple TV and ready to be used for music and movie watching. You can test if your AirPods and Apple TV have the same Apple ID by doing the following steps:
- On your Apple TV, go to the Home menu and then Settings.
- Changing the settings on an Apple TV.
- Select the Users and Account tabs.
- Users of Apple TV can pick their accounts and accounts on the device.
Examine the email address linked to your iCloud account. If you use a separate Apple ID on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod, the devices will not connect immediately since they are not associated with the same Apple ID. All that is necessary is to sign in to the proper iCloud account.
- You can start pairing your Apple TV, iPhone, iPad, or iPod if the account registered on your Apple TV is the same as the account registered on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod.
- Lift the cover of your AirPods charging case to ensure that they have enough battery power.
- When the charging case is open, keep the AirPods Pro in it.
- When the Apple TV is ready, launch it and browse to the Home screen.
- The Apple TV’s home screen
- Select the Audio option from the menu that displays when holding down the Play/Pause button.
- The Apple TV remote has a play/pause button.
- You may begin using your AirPods as the audio output by choosing them from the menu.
Select the AirPods Pro option while using Apple TV.
If your Apple TV and AirPods are registered to the same Apple ID but still won’t connect, you may try resetting them. If you follow these steps, your AirPods will be reset to factory settings and will no longer be linked to other Bluetooth devices.
How to Connect AirPods to Apple TV via Bluetooth
Even if you are using someone else’s Apple TV or registered under a different Apple ID, you may still use your AirPods as an audio output device by connecting them to your smartphone using the standard Bluetooth technique. This is true even while watching videos on an Apple TV. You may connect AirPods to Apple TV over Bluetooth in the following ways:
- You can open the top of the charging case again after entering your AirPods and waiting at least 15 seconds.
- To set up your AirPods, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light turns white.
- The AirPods may be reset by pressing and holding the setup button for a few seconds.
- To reach the Settings menu on your Apple TV, press the Menu button on the remote.
- Using your Apple TV’s Settings menu
- Select Bluetooth from the Remote and Devices option.
- Apple TV device list that may be accessed through Bluetooth
- After choosing your AirPods from the list of devices, tap the Connect Device button.
- Adding AirPods to the Apple TV’s Bluetooth device pairing list
If your AirPods aren’t showing up in the list of connected devices, try restarting your Apple TV by going to the Settings menu on your remote, choosing System, and then Restart.
How to Use Two AirPods on Apple TV
Share Audio is an Apple feature that allows you to broadcast audio from one pair of wireless headphones to another through Bluetooth. Because of this, you and your friend can enjoy the movie without disturbing anybody else.
The Audio Sharing feature is exclusive to the Apple TV 4K and only works with Apple’s wireless headphones, which include all AirPods and a range of Beats headphones. To ensure the success of this technique, you must meet the following requirements:
- To connect the first pair of AirPods to your Apple TV, you must have Bluetooth, or Apple ID enabled.
- Your second pair of AirPods must be linked with an iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod) or brought close to an Apple TV.
Now that we’ve cleared everything up, let’s have a look at how you can utilize your Apple TV’s Share Audio function:
- Continue to press the Home button on the Apple TV remote.
- Press the Home button on the Apple TV remote.
- From the list, select the AirPlay icon.
- Airplay is a function available on Apple TV.
- Select the AirPods you want to utilize and choose the Share Audio option from the resulting menu.
- Audio may be shared using Airplay on Apple TV.
- Place the second pair of AirPods near the Apple TV.
- After that, select Temporarily Share Audio from the option that appears on the screen.
- The ability to exchange music temporarily via Airplay
How to Adjust AirPods Settings on Apple TV
Because AirPods and Apple TV are both parts of the Apple ecosystem, they can work together seamlessly. Some functionalities, however, will not be available for usage. For example, as of the time of writing this essay, you cannot converse with Siri using your AirPods in combination with an Apple TV.
Despite this, you may continue using important AirPods control features such as double tapping to pause or play music and automatically detect when the headphones are in your ear. Furthermore, your Apple TV has two additional audio-related features: spatial audio and active noise cancellation (ANC).
While the Spatial Audio feature simulates surround sound with head tracking, the Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) function eliminates ambient noise to create a more immersive experience, whether watching movies or listening to music on Apple Music. The choices for setting your AirPods’ Spatial Audio and ANC are as follows:
- Set up a Bluetooth or Apple ID link between your AirPods and your Apple TV.
- Press the Home button to use your Apple TV remote to visit the control center.
- Using the remote to get to the Apple TV’s Home screen
- You should choose the headphones icon next to the AirPlay sign.
- Entering the AirPods Settings menu on Apple TV
- You may tailor the noise suppression and spatial audio settings to your liking.
Apple TV may be used to fine-tune the spatial awareness and noise suppression of the AirPods.
The Spatial Audio and ANC features are available on the AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Beats Fit Pro. Apple’s third-generation AirPods offer Spatial Audio but do not contain ANC.
AirPods are compatible with and may be used with all versions of Apple TV because they are both parts of the Apple ecosystem. Before connecting your headphones to your Apple TV, ensure that the earbuds and Apple TV are running the most recent firmware version. If everything goes as planned, you should be able to enjoy a movie or video on Apple TV without disturbing anybody else in the room.
FAQ
Why won’t my Apple TV find my AirPods?
Go to Settings > Bluetooth to ensure that Bluetooth is turned on. If your AirPods are connected, check if they are set as your audio device. Close the lid for 15 seconds, then open it. Continue to the next step if your AirPods appear in the list of devices but need to connect.
Why are my AirPods not showing up on the screen?
IOS 16 (iPad and iPhone): After entering the passcode, navigate to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings > Reset network settings on your iPhone. Try connecting your AirPods Pro again after restarting your iPhone. Follow the steps below if the AirPods pop-up does not appear on your iPhone.