How To Connect Any Bluetooth Headphones To Xbox One in 5 Easy Steps

ByJohn V
boy wearing headphones with a game console controller in his hands

Are you looking to connect your Bluetooth headset, headphones, or earbuds to your Xbox One console?

If you try to pair them, you’ll quickly discover that Microsoft does not support Bluetooth audio natively. Luckily, there is another way to accomplish this.

The trick is to use your phone to connect your headphones. Even better, this method works on any Xbox console that supports the Xbox app.

This is the simplest method to allow Xbox users to listen to gameplay audio with Bluetooth headphones.

Here’s how you do it.

Step 1. Go to Settings in Xbox One

Turn on your Xbox One console and access the account settings. On the left navigation menu, select Devices & Connections. In this section, you’ll also find options for accessories, remote features, digital assistants, mouse, media remote, Kinect, disc, and Blu-ray.

Step 2. Enable Remote Features

Select “Remote Features”. In this area, you’ll want to make sure the radio button for “Enable Remote Features” is checked. If it’s not enabled, check the box to enable remote features. The Xbox will briefly test your setup and give you a report on your connection.

Remote Features enables all the remote features on your Xbox One console. This allows you to connect to your Xbox One console anytime using your phone.

Step 3. Download the Xbox App on Phone

On your Android phone or iPhone, download the Xbox app from the Google Play Store or App Store respectively. The app allows users to play games from their Xbox console directly to their phones over the internet. You won’t, however, use it for that purpose. Instead, you’re going to utilize the app for its ability to receive gameplay audio.

Step 4. Enable Remote Play

Now that the download is complete open the Xbox app on your phone. At the top of the screen, you will see an Xbox console icon. Click on the icon. This will take you to a screen that reads “Xbox One Console On” with the options Remote Play on this device, Open remote control and Manage installed games. Click on ” Remote play on this device.”

The Xbox will display animation with the text “Getting your console ready” while it attempts to connect to your Xbox One. If it has trouble connecting to your network you will receive the message: “We found your console but can’t connect. Try from a different Wi-Fi or cellular network.” Once you are connected, the screen on your phone will mirror your TV screen. Your internet speed will determine the strength of your phone and Xbox connection.

Step 5. Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Phone

Once your Xbox One console is connected to your Android or iPhone, all you have to do now is pair any Bluetooth headphones or headset with your phone to hear the game audio. If you’re not sure which headphones to use, take a look at the best-selling over-ear models. Here’s how to pair your headphones:

Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Android Phone

  1. Put your headphones into pairing mode.
  2. On your phone, open the “Quick Settings” panel by swiping down from the top of the screen.
  3. Turn on Bluetooth.
    • The Bluetooth settings screen will pop up with all paired and available devices.
    • To manually access the Bluetooth settings screen, tap and hold the Bluetooth icon.
  4. Under “Available Devices” locate and select the name of your headphones.
  5. You will receive a “Bluetooth pairing request” notification. Click “Ok” to accept.
  6. The name of your headphones will now appear as “Connected for audio” on your phone.
  7. You will hear an audible notification in your headphones.

Connect Bluetooth Headphones to iPhone

  1. Turn on your Bluetooth headphones and put them in pairing mode.
  2. On your phone, tap on “Settings.”
  3. In settings, tap on Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is enabled.
  4. Under “Other Devices,” tap on the pair of headphones that you want to connect.
  5. You will receive a notification that your headphones are connected.
  6. Your headphones will now appear under “My Devices” on your phone.
  7. You will hear an audible notification in your headphones.

How to Connect Compatible Xbox One Wireless Headsets

Microsoft’s Xbox One does not support Bluetooth audio to be directly paired to the console. So if you want to connect a headphone directly to the Xbox you will need to use an official Microsoft Xbox Wireless Headset or a headset with Xbox One compatibility.

  1. Turn on your Xbox One console and headset.
  2. Press and hold the power button on your headset for about 4 seconds.
    • A repeating pairing tone will be heard.
    • The power light on your headset will begin to flash rapidly.
  3. Locate the Pair button on the front of the Xbox One console.
  4. Press the Pair button. The power light on the console will start flashing.
  5. The power lights on both devices will stop flashing once the headset and console are connected.
  6. If the devices are successfully paired, you will hear the game audio.

Conclusion

If you want to use Bluetooth headphones with your Xbox One, you’ll find that Microsoft doesn’t support Bluetooth audio natively. However, with the Xbox app, you can connect your headphones to your phone with ease.

You’ll need to access your Xbox One console’s settings for this to work. Afterward, download the Xbox app on your phone and configure the settings. To hear gaming audio, you’ll need to pair your Bluetooth headphones with your phone.

We explain in detail how to pair any Bluetooth headphones with your Android or iPhone. Finally, we describe how to connect a compatible Xbox One wireless headset to your console.

Do your ears get hot and sweaty when playing video games? We explore how to keep your ears cool when wearing headphones in the next article.

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