The PS4 does have Bluetooth, but it’s a stingy little gremlin. It keeps that radio signal strictly for its own controllers, leaving your headphones out in the cold like a forgotten houseguest. When you try to pair your headphones, the console either ignores you or delivers a laggy, crackling mess that sounds like a robot gargling gravel.
Surprising fact: the PS4’s Bluetooth chip is actually capable of handling audio, but Sony blocked it to force you into buying their official, overpriced headsets. Yes, it’s a corporate conspiracy—right up there with the great sock-snatching gnomes. Don’t worry, we have ways to outsmart the overlords.
The Dongle: Your Wireless Knight in Shiny Armor
Step one: buy a Bluetooth USB dongle. This little stick is the Mario to your Peach, the iron man to your suit. Plug it into one of the PS4’s front USB ports, and suddenly the console stops treating your headphones like a virus. The dongle acts as a translator, whispering sweet nothings to both devices so they finally play nice.
Not all dongles are created equal, though. You want one that supports low latency or, better yet, the magical “aptX” codec—otherwise, your game audio will lag behind your actions like a slow-motion replay at a baseball game. Imagine hearing the gunshot after you’re already dead. That’s not tactical advantage; that’s existential dread.
The Party Chat Workaround (Because Life Isn’t Fair)
Here’s the kicker: even with a dongle, your PS4 will not let Bluetooth headphones use the microphone at the same time. It’s like the console has a strict “no talking while eating” rule, but for audio. You can hear the game, but your friends will only hear silence—or worse, the crunching of your chips.
How To Connect Bluetooth Headphones To PS4 - Bemwireless
Solution? Use the PS4’s own party chat app on your phone while your headphones connect to the console. Yes, it’s janky. Yes, you’ll look like a cyborg with cables everywhere. But you’ll be able to trash-talk your buddies while blowing up virtual cars, and isn’t that the dream?
The “Safe Mode” Hack Your Grandmother Wouldn’t Approve Of
If you’re feeling gutsy, you can try the Safe Mode trick. Turn off your PS4, hold the power button until you hear two beeps (like a fire alarm, but less dramatic), and then change the HDMI device link to “Off.” This forces the console to prioritize audio through the USB dongle instead of the TV. It’s fiddly, but it works—like duct tape for your digital life.
Warning: this might also break your TV’s remote control. But hey, you’re a gamer. You live dangerously. Plus, who needs TV when you’ve got Call of Duty soundtracks playing directly into your brain?