As of my last update in January 2022, Xbox consoles do not support direct Bluetooth pairing with Apple AirPods. However, you can use a workaround to connect your AirPods to your Xbox using a third-party Bluetooth adapter or by connecting them to a compatible device that is already connected to your Xbox. Here's how you can do it:
1. **Using a Bluetooth Adapter**:
a. Purchase a Bluetooth audio adapter that supports Bluetooth 4.0 or higher. Make sure it has a USB or optical audio input that you can connect to your Xbox.
b. Plug the Bluetooth adapter into one of the available USB ports on your Xbox.
c. Put your AirPods into pairing mode. To do this, open the AirPods case and press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light starts flashing white.
d. Follow the pairing instructions for your Bluetooth adapter to pair it with your AirPods.
e. Once paired, the audio from your Xbox should be transmitted to your AirPods through the Bluetooth adapter.
2. **Using a Compatible Device**:
a. Connect your AirPods to a compatible device that is already connected to your Xbox, such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC.
b. Use Xbox's built-in wireless streaming feature, such as Xbox Console Streaming or Xbox Remote Play, to stream audio from your Xbox to the connected device.
c. You should now hear the audio from your Xbox through your AirPods connected to the intermediary device.
Keep in mind that while these workarounds allow you to use your AirPods with your Xbox, they may introduce some audio latency or quality issues compared to using dedicated gaming headphones. Additionally, the Xbox's built-in wireless streaming features may require a stable network connection and may not be available on all Xbox models.