Yes, you can use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming, but with some big catches. The experience is not as good as using a dedicated gaming headset, and you need to know the workarounds to make it work at all.
Many gamers wonder if their new AirPods can pull double duty. They are great for music and calls, so why not for gaming? The truth is more complicated than a simple yes or no. You can connect them, but you might not like the results.
I have tried this myself with my own PC. The process is not hard, but the outcome left me wanting more. For casual games, it might be fine. For serious competitive play, you will likely feel frustrated.
Let’s break down what happens when you try to use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming. We will look at sound, microphone issues, and the all-important lag that can ruin your game.
Can You Use 4th Gen AirPods for PC Gaming? The Direct Answer
So, can you use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming? The short answer is yes, you can connect them. Your Windows PC has Bluetooth, and the AirPods will show up as a device. You pair them just like any other Bluetooth gadget.
But the real question is not about connection. It is about performance. Using them for gaming brings up problems you do not face with music. The main issue is audio delay, called latency.
When you press a key in a game, the sound should happen right away. With Bluetooth audio, there is often a tiny delay. This lag makes games feel sluggish and out of sync. It can throw off your timing in fast-paced games.
Another big point is the microphone. The mic on the AirPods is made for phone calls. In a noisy game chat with friends, it picks up a lot of background sound. Your friends might hear your keyboard clicks more than your voice.
For single-player, story-based games, this might be okay. The lag is less noticeable when you are not reacting to other players. But for any competitive multiplayer, the delay is a deal-breaker. So, while you can use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming, you might not want to.
It is a workaround, not a solution. Think of it like using a spoon to dig a hole. It works, but a shovel is much better. A proper gaming headset is the right tool for the job.
How to Connect Your AirPods to a Windows PC
First, you need to get your AirPods talking to your PC. The process is simple but has a few steps. Make sure your PC has Bluetooth turned on. Most modern laptops have it built-in. For desktop PCs, you might need a Bluetooth adapter.
Put your AirPods in their case. Open the lid and press the setup button on the back. Hold it until the light inside the case starts flashing white. This puts the AirPods into pairing mode.
On your PC, go to the Settings menu. Click on “Bluetooth & devices” and then “Add device.” Choose “Bluetooth” from the list of options. Your PC will search for nearby devices.
You should see “AirPods” or “AirPods Pro” appear in the list. Click on them to pair. Your PC might show a confirmation message. Once connected, you will hear a chime in the AirPods.
Now, set them as your default audio device. Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar. Select “Sounds” and go to the “Playback” tab. Find your AirPods in the list and set them as the Default Device.
That is it for the basic connection. But this is just step one. The real test comes when you launch a game. The sound might work, but other features like the microphone might not switch on automatically.
You may need to also set the AirPods as your default communication device. This helps with chat apps like Discord. Go back to the “Sounds” menu, and under the “Recording” tab, set the AirPods microphone as the default.
The Big Problem: Audio Latency and Lag
This is the main reason people ask, can you use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming? The lag is a killer. Bluetooth technology was not made for real-time gaming audio. It has a small delay to process the sound signal.
This delay might be a fraction of a second. For listening to a podcast, you never notice it. In a fast shooter game, that tiny lag means you hear an enemy shot after you are already hit. Your reaction time is ruined.
Some PCs and Bluetooth adapters support a codec called “aptX Low Latency.” This helps a lot. But Apple AirPods do not use aptX. They use Apple’s own AAC codec, which is not optimized for low-latency gaming on Windows.
So when you use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming, you are stuck with standard Bluetooth delay. The lag can be between 100 to 200 milliseconds. That is enough to make action feel disconnected and slow.
You can test this yourself. Play a video and watch the person’s mouth. See if the audio matches the lip movement. If it is off, that is the latency. Now imagine that in a game where timing is everything.
Some games are worse than others. Turn-based strategy games might be fine. But rhythm games, fighting games, or first-person shooters become much harder. The lag makes it feel like you are playing underwater.
There is no real fix for this on Windows. It is a limit of the technology. This is the biggest argument against trying to use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming seriously. The lag is built-in and unavoidable.
Microphone Quality for Game Chat
Another hurdle is the microphone. The mic in AirPods is great for walking and talking on your iPhone. It has beamforming tech to focus on your voice. But on a Windows PC, it often works less well.
Windows does not always handle the AirPods microphone correctly. Sometimes it uses the wrong audio profile. This can make your voice sound tinny or quiet to your friends in Discord or TeamSpeak.
Background noise is a big issue. The AirPods mic will pick up your keyboard clicks, room fan, and other sounds. Dedicated gaming headset mics are better at blocking this out. They are designed for the noisy environment of a gaming desk.
You also lose features like mute/unmute with a tap. On a Mac or iPhone, you can set this up. On Windows, you usually have to mute yourself within the chat app. It is less convenient in the middle of a game.
If you plan to use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming with friends, test your mic first. Have a friend tell you how you sound. You might need to adjust levels in your chat app’s settings.
For solo gaming or if you rarely use voice chat, the mic issue might not matter. But if communication is key to your games, this is a major weak point. A cheap dedicated gaming mic will do a much better job.
According to resources from Microsoft, Bluetooth devices can have compatibility quirks on Windows. The AirPods are designed for Apple’s ecosystem first. Using them on Windows is always a compromise.
Battery Life During Long Gaming Sessions
Gaming sessions can last for hours. How long do the AirPods last on a single charge? The 4th Gen AirPods offer good battery life for listening, usually around 6 hours. But that is with just audio playback.
When you use the microphone too, the battery drains faster. Using both the earbuds and the mic for a long Discord call and game can cut that time down. You might get only 4 to 5 hours.
This means for a long weekend gaming marathon, they will die on you. You will have to put them back in the case to recharge. That interrupts your game and leaves you without sound for a while.
Compare this to a wired gaming headset. It gets power from your PC and never runs out. Or a wireless gaming headset with a 20+ hour battery. The AirPods are not built for this kind of extended use.
If you do decide to use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming, keep the charging case nearby. Be ready to pop one in to charge while using the other, if your game supports single-bud use. Not all games handle mono audio well, though.
Battery anxiety is a real thing. Watching your battery drop mid-match is stressful. You start worrying about sound cutting out at a crucial moment. For relaxed, short gaming sessions, it is fine. For anything long, plan for a break.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) notes that Bluetooth device battery life can vary widely based on use. High-performance use, like gaming, is one of the most draining activities for them.
When It Actually Works Well
It is not all bad news. There are times when you can use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming and have a good time. The key is picking the right type of game. Not all games demand perfect, instant audio.
Slow-paced, single-player games are a good fit. Think of games like “Civilization,” “Stardew Valley,” or turn-based RPGs. In these games, audio timing is not critical. The lag does not hurt your gameplay.
They are also great for game streaming or watching videos on your PC. If you are using your PC to watch Netflix or YouTube between games, the AirPods are perfect. The sound quality is excellent for media.
For casual, social games with friends, they can be okay. Games like “Among Us” or “Jackbox Party Pack” are not twitch-sensitive. The social audio is more about talking and laughing than precise sound cues.
If you are in a quiet room and need to keep game sound private, AirPods are a decent option. They are less bulky than a big headset. You can still hear some of your surroundings, which some people prefer.
So, can you use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming in these cases? Yes, absolutely. It becomes a matter of convenience. If they are already in your ears from your phone, switching to PC for a casual game is easy.
Just know the limits. Do not expect a competitive edge. Expect a convenient, pretty good audio experience for the right kind of game. That is the honest take.
Better Alternatives for PC Gaming Audio
If you want a great gaming experience, look at other options. The market is full of gear made just for PC gaming. These alternatives solve the problems you face when you try to use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming.
Wired gaming headsets are the classic choice. They plug in via USB or audio jacks. They have zero latency, great microphones, and are often more comfortable for long wear. They are also very affordable.
Dedicated wireless gaming headsets use a different technology. They come with a USB dongle that uses a 2.4GHz radio signal, not Bluetooth. This gives you true, lag-free wireless audio. The battery life is also much longer.
If you love the AirPods for everything else, consider keeping a simple wired headset just for gaming. You can get a good one for under $50. Switch between them based on what you are doing.
Another option is to use a separate microphone. Get a cheap desktop mic or a lavalier mic for your voice chat. Then use the AirPods just for game sound. This splits the duties and can work better.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), prolonged headphone use at high volumes can affect hearing. A good headset with volume limits can be safer for your ears during long sessions.
Think about what you really need. If you are a serious gamer, investing in the right tool makes sense. Trying to use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming is like using a sports car to haul lumber. It can do it, but it is not what it is for.
Check out guides from places like the TechSoup for reviews on affordable gaming gear. You do not need to spend a fortune to get a setup that works way better for gaming than Bluetooth earbuds.
Step-by-Step Guide for Best Results
If you still want to try, here is how to set it up for the best chance of success. This guide aims to minimize the issues when you use 4th Gen AirPods for PC gaming.
Step one: Update your Bluetooth drivers. Go to your PC manufacturer’s website. Find the support page and download the latest Bluetooth drivers for your model. Old drivers can make latency worse.
Step two: In Windows Sound Settings, disable “Hands