How To Connect AirPods To Samsung TV: We Found Out

After finishing a long day at work juggling between meetings, I clocked out of the office and headed to my apartment.

I ordered a pizza, grabbed a can of soda, and made myself comfortable on the couch to catch Kaleidoscope on my Samsung TV.

Ten minutes into the show, my roommate started yelling at me, asking me to turn off the TV as he had to study for his upcoming exams.

At first, I felt irritated at the thought of turning it off and not watching the show.

But then I thought to myself, “What if I connect my AirPods to the TV?” That way, I could watch the show without disturbing my roommate.

I experienced the same with my old TV a few months ago. I needed to connect Bluetooth headphones to my TCL TV, and it turned out to be quite easy.

Putting the show on pause, I did some research online, fiddled with TV settings, and finally got my AirPods to work.

But I came across a few limitations of using AirPods with non-Apple devices. More on that later. 

To connect AirPods to Samsung TV, put the AirPods in pairing mode, search for them through your TV’s Bluetooth settings, and click on Connect. 

Which TVs are Compatible With Apple AirPods?

Any TV with a built-in Bluetooth feature is compatible with AirPods.

You can check if your TV has this feature by referring to its user manual or searching for Bluetooth under Settings.

In addition, all Smart TVs have Bluetooth and other connectivity options, and over 76% of American households own at least one such TV.

To check if your TV is Smart, press the Home button on its remote.

If you see several apps and content recommendations, you have a Smart TV. 

Does My Samsung TV Have Bluetooth?

Almost every Samsung TV, even the low-budget ones, manufactured after 2016 has a built-in Bluetooth feature.

To check Bluetooth support on your Samsung TV, check the user’s manual or go to the ‘Audio settings’ in the Settings menu.

If you find an option to connect wireless speakers, it has Bluetooth built-in. 

Alternatively, you can open ‘Connection settings’ from the ‘Settings’ menu to check Bluetooth compatibility. 

How to Pair AirPods With a Samsung TV

Pairing AirPods to a Samsung TV with built-in Bluetooth support is a simple and straightforward process.

For Samsung TVs manufactured between 2016-2023: 

  1. Put your AirPods in the charging case with the lid open.
  2. Press and hold the Setup button on the rear of the case for a few seconds until you see a blinking white light to get the AirPods into pairing mode.
  3. Go to Menu or Home on your TV.
  4. Open Settings.
  5. Select Sound.
  6. Choose Sound Output and tap on Bluetooth Speaker List.
  7. Select your AirPods from the list and click on Pair and Connect

For Samsung TVs manufactured before 2016: 

  1. Put your AirPods in their case with the lid open.
  2. Long-press the Setup button on the back of the case for a few seconds until you see a blinking white light to get the AirPods into pairing mode.
  3. Launch Home or Menu on the TV.
  4. Select Settings.
  5. Open Sound.
  6. Choose Speaker Settings or Speaker List (depending on your TV model).
  7. Click on Bluetooth Audio, Add New Device, or Soundshare Settings (based on the model) and follow the on-screen instructions.
  8. Finally, find and connect to your AirPods from the list of Bluetooth devices

Connecting AirPods to a Vizio TV is also an easy process.

Connecting AirPods to a TV With Soundbar

Many people use soundbars with their TVs via Bluetooth to get the best audio experience.

If you intend to use AirPods with your TV when you already have a soundbar connected, make sure you disconnect it before connecting the AirPods.

It’s because you can only connect one Bluetooth device to your TV at a time.

Disconnect your soundbar from the TV via ‘Bluetooth Settings’ under the Settings menu or by simply turning off the soundbar. 

Can I Connect AirPods to My Samsung TV if It Doesn’t Have Bluetooth?

If your Samsung TV doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in, you can use a Bluetooth transmitter to connect AirPods to it.

A Bluetooth transmitter is a USB dongle that adds Bluetooth functionality to devices that don’t have this feature. 

You can find a Bluetooth transmitter for your TV ranging from $12 to $70. 

My AirPods Won’t Pair With Samsung TV; What Should I Do?

If you cannot pair your AirPods with your Samsung TV, turn off Bluetooth on the TV and take the AirPods out of pairing mode.

Once done, power cycle your TV by disconnecting it from the power socket and waiting for at least a minute before plugging it back in and turning it on.

Power cycling can also stop your Samsung TV’s flickering.

Now, turn on Bluetooth on the TV, put your AirPods back into pairing mode, and go through the process of pairing them again.

Alternatively, you can reset your Apple AirPods: 

  1. Place your AirPods in the charging case and keep the lid open.
  2. Locate the Setup button on the rear of the case.
  3. Press and hold the button for 15 seconds.
  4. The status lights will change from Amber to White. Your AirPods are now reset and ready to pair. 

Are there Any Limitations to Using AirPods With Non-Apple Devices?

Even though you can connect AirPods to any Bluetooth-enabled device like a phone, tablet, or Smart TV, some of their features will be cut off.

AirPods will let you use the basic functionality of streaming audio and making and receiving calls, but you won’t be able to access the ‘Go back’ or ‘Skip forward’ function on your TV.

Additionally, you will not be able to use Siri through your AirPods when connected to a non-Apple device, as Siri is an iOS-only feature. 

Enjoy Your Favorite Content Without Disturbing Others

AirPods are loved and praised by most users and are a must-have product if you use other Apple devices, like an iPhone.

Connecting AirPods to a Samsung TV (or any Bluetooth device) is easy, usually done within seconds.

However, for a non-tech-savvy person, it can take a long time if one doesn’t know the “What and How” of wireless connections.

Furthermore, while connecting AirPods to a TV is easy, note that listening to the audio on high volume for an extended period of time can be tasking on your ears. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do AirPods cost?

Apple AirPods have three variants, AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.

The 2nd Gen AirPods cost $129, the 3rd Gen AirPods about $169, the 2nd Gen AirPods Pro $249, and the AirPods Max are priced at $549. 

How should I disconnect AirPods from my Samsung TV?

To disconnect AirPods from your Samsung TV, head to the ‘Bluetooth settings’ from the Settings menu on your TV, click on the connected AirPods, and select ‘Disconnect’. 

If you don’t intend to use the AirPods with your TV again, you can safely click on ‘Unpair and forget the device’. 

Is it safe to use AirPods with a Samsung TV?

It’s absolutely safe to use AirPods with your Samsung TV as long as they are compatible. 

About the author

Maria Chan, or MC, as we call her, is the genius girl-boss who gave up on her cushy silicon-valley job to grind it out with us. Her undying pursuit of wanting Zeebox to the best makes it very clear that she has no interest in running a generic tech-site.