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How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One
Xbox One doesn’t natively support Bluetooth audio. Microsoft built their consoles around a proprietary wireless protocol instead, which means your regular Bluetooth headphones won’t pair directly with the console.
That’s frustrating to discover after you’ve just bought a nice pair of Bluetooth headphones. But don’t worry. There are a few workarounds that let you use Bluetooth headphones with your Xbox One, even without built-in Bluetooth support.
This guide covers three different methods: using a Bluetooth transmitter, streaming through a PC, or connecting through your TV.
Connecting Non-Compatible Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One
Since Xbox One uses its own wireless protocol rather than standard Bluetooth, direct pairing isn’t an option. The methods below get around this limitation. Just keep in mind that some features like the microphone might not work perfectly with every method.
Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One Via a Bluetooth Transmitter
A Bluetooth transmitter is probably the simplest workaround. It plugs into your controller and broadcasts audio to your headphones wirelessly. Here’s how to set it up:
1. Turn on the transmitter by holding the power button for about 3 seconds. You should see a blue or red light start flickering.
Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One
2. Plug the transmitter into the 3.5mm port on your Xbox One controller.
3. Turn on your Bluetooth headphones and put them in pairing mode.
Looking for more? We have a dedicated guide on PS5 vs Xbox series x.
4. Hold the multifunction button on the transmitter for about 5 seconds to start pairing with your headphones.
5. Keep your headphones close to the transmitter for a faster, more stable connection.
Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One Via PC
Another option is to stream your Xbox games to a Windows PC using the Xbox Companion App, then connect your Bluetooth headphones to the PC for audio. Here’s the process:
1. Open the Xbox PC app and sign into your Microsoft account.
2. Click the ‘Connection’ icon on the left-side menu.
3. Click ‘Add a device’ in the top-right corner of the ‘Connect to your Xbox One’ window.
4. When your console shows up, click ‘Connect.’
We also cover headphones for kids in a separate article worth checking out.
5. If it doesn’t find your console automatically, type in the IP address manually and click ‘Connect.’
Once the stream is running, pair your Bluetooth headphones with your PC and the audio will come through them.
Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Xbox One Via TV
If your TV has Bluetooth built in, this method is the easiest of the three. You just use the TV as a bridge between the Xbox and your headphones.
1. Run an HDMI cable from your Xbox One to your TV.
2. Set the TV input to the HDMI port your Xbox is connected to.
3. Go into your TV’s Bluetooth settings and pair your headphones.
That’s it. The audio from your Xbox passes through the TV and out to your Bluetooth headphones wirelessly.
Note: Xbox One consoles use a wireless protocol designed specifically for gaming, which is why standard Bluetooth audio isn’t supported. The methods above, whether it’s a transmitter, PC streaming, or TV pairing, all give you a reliable way to get around that limitation.
Final Thought
Xbox One doesn’t support Bluetooth headphones out of the box, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with wired audio. A Bluetooth transmitter is the quickest fix, PC streaming gives you the most flexibility, and the TV method works great if your TV already has Bluetooth. Pick whichever suits your setup and you’ll be gaming with wireless audio in minutes.
