How To Connect Bluetooth Headphones To PS4

If you decide to “cut the cord” and get Bluetooth headphones for your gaming sessions, you can easily transfer the experience to your PS4 console.

But, there’s an important caveat: The PS4 (including the PlayStation Pro) uses a special version of Bluetooth for audio, which means there’s a long list of Bluetooth headsets that are not compatible. 

Here’s how to connect Bluetooth headphones to a PS4, with and without an audio cable. 

How To Connect Wireless Headphones To PS4

If you want to test a Bluetooth headset and see if it works on your PS4, or have headphones or PS4 Bluetooth earbuds that are compatible with the gaming console, the method is similar to connecting your Bluetooth headphones with your PC.

To pair the headphones with the PS4:

1. Put your headset in pairing mode. If you don’t know how to do this, check the instruction manual. With most headsets, holding the power button for several seconds should do the trick.
2. Turn on your PS4 and select Settings.
3. Select Devices.
4. Select Bluetooth Devices.

image credit: drivereasy.com

5. Wait a few moments for the headphones to appear in the list of Bluetooth devices. 
6. Once you see it in the list, select it and wait to connect.
7. Register the device.
8. If the headset is compatible, you’ll see a success message on the screen.

How To Use Headphones With PS4 With a USB Adapter (Dongle)

Some wireless headsets, including top gaming headsets like the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero need a Bluetooth dongle to make the connection work. 

Most headsets that require a middleman to pair with the PS4 console via Bluetooth have limited capabilities when connected.

You’ll still hear everything that’s going on in your game and any sounds from the voice chat, but you might not be able to adjust the volume directly from your headset or may lose access to features like 3D Audio.

To connect your headsets to your PS4 with a dongle:

1. Plug the dongle into the USB port on your PS4.

2. Select Settings from the main menu on the PS4.
3. Go to Devices and select Audio Devices.
4. Select Output Device and then USB Headset.

image credit: drivereasy.com

5. Select Output to Headphones and switch to All Audio.

image credit: drivereasy.com

Note: If your headset comes with a wireless microphone, you can plug it into your controller.

How To Connect Wired Bluetooth Headset To PS4

Most Bluetooth headsets come with a detachable audio cable that you can plug into the console in case your headphones use different Bluetooth technology that the PS4 console doesn’t support. 

To connect your headphones with your PS4 with a cord:

1. Plug in the audio cable into your PS4 and your headset and turn them on.
2. On the PS4, select Settings from the main menu.
3. Select Devices and then Bluetooth Devices.
4. Select your headset from the list. 
5. Go to Devices and select Audio Devices.
6. Select Output Device and click Headset Connected to Controller.

image credit: drivereasy.com

7. You can adjust the volume in the Volume Control option.
8. Select Output to Headphones and switch to All Audio.

How To Connect Your Headphones If The Audio Port Is Not Compatible

If the PS4 does not work with the audio port of your wired headphones, you will need an OMTP (Open Mobile Terminal Platform) to CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association) converter. 

You’ll need to plug the cable into the connector and then insert it into the console/ controller.

For those wondering, the technical difference between a CTIA and OMTP connector is that the ground and mic connections are on different rings.

Here’s what that looks like:

image credit: hereplus.me – A CTIA (left) and an OMTP (right) connector.

Bottom Line

Although the PS4 limits its users to a number of compatible headphones they can connect to the console, there are plenty of workarounds for those who want to make it work.

Some gaming headsets come with a dongle that you need to plug into the gaming console to connect the headset to the PS4 and you can always use an audio cable to establish a connection between your headset and the console.