How to Connect Apple AirPods to Sony TV
By Trae Jacobs,
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If you want to watch TV without bothering the other people in your house, connecting your Apple AirPods is a great idea.
Here’s how you can connect your Apple AirPods to your Sony TV.
Put Your AirPods in Pairing Mode
Before pairing your AirPods to your Sony TV, you’ll need to put them in pairing mode. If you have the original AirPods or AirPods Pro, put them in the charging case and press the button on the back until the status light starts flashing white.
If you have the AirPods Max, press and hold the noise control button until the light starts flashing white.
No matter which model you own, a flashing white light means your AirPods are now in pairing mode.
Can You Pair AirPods Without a Case?
If you’ve completed the AirPods pairing process on your Sony TV before, you should be able to select them from your list of Bluetooth devices and reconnect without the case.
However, if this is the first time you’re connecting your AirPods to your TV, you’ll need to use the case to put them in pairing mode.
Open Your TV’s Bluetooth Settings
Once you put your AirPods in pairing mode, you can pair them to your Sony TV through the Bluetooth Settings menu.
There are two types of Sony smart TVs — Sony Bravia TVs and Sony Google TVs. The steps you’ll take to pair your AirPods depend on your TV’s operating system.
How to Pair AirPods to a Sony Bravia TV
If your Sony smart TV runs on the Bravia operating system, follow these steps to pair your AirPods:
- Open your Sony TV’s settings menu.
- Select “Remotes & Accessories.”
- Select “Bluetooth settings.”
- Toggle Bluetooth on, then press “Add device.”
- Wait for your TV to discover your AirPods.
- Select your AirPods from the list of devices to connect.
How to Pair AirPods to a Sony Google TV
The steps to pair AirPods to a Sony Google TV vary from pairing them to a Sony Bravia TV. Here’s how you can connect the two devices:
- Open the Google TV home screen.
- Select your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Press “Settings.”
- Select “Remote & Accessories,” then “Pair Remote or Accessory.”
- Wait for your TV to discover your AirPods, then select them from the list of devices.
- Press “Pair.”
The devices should now be connected.
Why Can’t I Pair My AirPods to My Sony TV?
If you’re having trouble pairing your AirPods to your Sony TV after following the correct steps, you’ll need to do some troubleshooting.
Make Sure Your TV Supports Bluetooth
All newer Sony smart TVs support Bluetooth. However, some older models can’t connect via Bluetooth to any device. If your TV does not have the A2DP (Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) bluetooth profile, you will not be able to connect your Airpods. You can check for it by opening Settings > Display & Sound > Audio Output and looking for the A/V option.
Find out which Sony TV model you have, then check the specs online to see if it’s Bluetooth-compatible. If not, you can still connect your AirPods to your Sony TV with a Bluetooth transmitter.
Bluetooth transmitters plug into your TV’s headphone jack, then transmit the audio to other devices. The sound quality won’t be as good as it would be with a direct connection, but it’s a good backup option.
If you have a FireStick or Fire TV Cube you use with your Sony TV, you can also connect your AirPods and listen privately that way.
Be Sure Your AirPods Are in Pairing Mode
Your AirPods won’t be able to pair to your Sony TV unless they’re in pairing mode. When you’re putting them in pairing mode, make sure you’re holding the required button until the light flashes white.
Charge Your AirPods
If the battery in your AirPods is too low, they might not have enough power to connect to your Sony TV.
To guarantee battery life, always place your AirPods in their charging case when you aren’t using them. According to Apple, your AirPods will last up to five hours on a single full charge.
You may also need to charge the charging case itself. Just plug the charging wire you received with your AirPods into the port.
Remove Other Bluetooth Devices from Your TV
If there are other devices paired to your Sony TV, it may not be able to connect to your AirPods. Before going through the steps to pair your AirPods to your Sony TV, remove any other Bluetooth devices connected to it.
If you live with other people, make sure you select your own AirPods when connecting — not your spouse’s or roommate’s!
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