How to connect headphones to iPad Air 4

Apple's iPad is an audiophile's dream, offering features and apps to suit everyone from professionals to casual music fans. The iPad allows you to connect headphones in multiple ways, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. Whether dealing with sound is part of your job or you just want a little background music while you work, Apple's tablet lets you listen to audio files in comfort and without disturbing others.

Connections

1. There are three ways that headphones can connect to the iPad. The first is via the built-in 3.5 mm headphone jack located on the bottom of the device. This takes a standard mini-jack connection of the type found on most pairs of wired headphones. Headphones can also be connected to the iPad wirelessly, using the device's Bluetooth capability. Lastly, the iPad's Lightning connector, although usually used to charge and sync the device, can be used to connect headphones indirectly.

Headphone Jack

1. The iPad's headphone jack is simple to use, as the device automatically recognizes when a pair of headphones is plugged in to it and adjusts its output accordingly. It can also recognize if the headphones plugged in have a built-in microphone attached and disables its own built-in microphone in favor of the one that has been connected. With the vast majority of headphones using a 3.5 mm mini-jack connection, iPad users have a vast choice of wired headphones from which to choose.

Bluetooth

1. Connecting wireless headphones through the iPad's Bluetooth functionality is a little more complex than simply plugging them in, as they need to be successfully paired with the device first. This process is similar to connecting to a Wi-Fi network, with the iPad scanning for nearby devices. After the connection is made, the headphones and iPad do not need to maintain line of sight, meaning that you could put your iPad in a bag or briefcase when traveling without needing to stop using your headphones.

Lightning

1. The iPad's Lightning connector is located on the bottom of the device. Although no Lightning-equipped headphones have been released, the Lightning connector is still worth noting for headphone enthusiasts as it is the interface that most new iPad docks use. Many iPad docks feature headphone jacks and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning that you can play music from your iPad through your headphones while charging your device at the same time. Additionally, adapters are available to let you connect older Apple accessories via the Lightning interface.

The debate around this topic is thick, but most people are concerned with how they can plug headphones into their iPad Air without the 3.5mm headphone jack. In this article, we look at the potential motivations for removing the headphone jack and your options for connecting headphones, earbuds, and speakers to your iPad Air.

Why Apple Removed The Headphone Jack From the iPad Air

While the fourth-generation iPad air came out in 2020, Apple has been deleting the headphone jack from product designs since 2016. It is unlikely that they will bring this back to the design, especially with the shift toward wireless listening devices.

While wired headphones are still preferred by many, wireless listening devices are becoming more popular because of their:

• Lowering costs.
• Ease of use.
• Mobility.
• Compatibility.

Apple made a preemptive decision that has yet to pay off completely, and this does not prevent you from using headphones, earbuds, or speakers with your fourth-generation iPad Air.

How To Use Headphones With iPad Air

The best ways to use headphones with your iPad Air (4th Generation) include:

• USB-C headphones.
• Using a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.
• Wireless headphones.

The method you choose depends on what you are willing to carry around, the headphones you want to use, and the quality of sound you expect.

USB-C Headphones

If you are okay with purchasing headphones designed to fit your phone, you can look into those with a USB-C connector instead of a 3.5mm headphone jack. These plug directly into your iPad Air (4th Generation) like they would a headphone jack, and you do not need to carry around adapters or other gear.

These are a younger technology, and there are not many options out there, but major brands such as Samsung have moved in on the territory. We expect to see more available in the next few years.

USB-C to 3.5mm Adapter

If you already have a pair of headphones you want to continue to use, prefer the quality of wired headphones, or are just more comfortable with this traditional appearance, Apple offers a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter to connect these devices.

While purchasing another device is not ideal given what you invested in your iPad air, even the Apple-branded adapter is not very expensive. For a few dollars more, you can purchase an off-brand option that features another USB-C port so you can listen to music and charge your iPad Air simultaneously.

If you are in the market for a new pair of headphones you can use with multiple devices, consider purchasing ones that come with an adapter like the Logitech G333. Opting for a trusted brand and a tried-and-true design can let you get the most out of your iPad Air.

Wireless Headphones 

Not everyone wants to move to wireless headphones, and understandably so. These are often more expensive than wired headphones, and they aren’t the best choice if you lose headphones easily. You also bear the responsibility of keeping your wireless earbuds charged.

There are still benefits to consider, the first of which being how easily they connect to your jack-less iPad Air (4th Generation).

Wireless earbuds are much easier to use while mobile, and you don’t need to worry about getting tangled up in wires. This can help out a lot if you don’t want to be tethered to your iPad Air while listening, although you do need to stay in range.

Bluetooth capabilities have come a long way, and sound quality is on the rise. A pair of AirPod Pros pair seamlessly with your iPad while offering active noise cancellation and an adaptive equalizer. If those are beyond your budget, cheaper Bluetooth earbuds provide the same opportunity. 

Summary

Whether you agree with the decision to remove the headphone jack on the most recent iPad Air or not, there is little you can do to stop Apple’s shift away from the 3.5mm jack. It is better to learn what your options are so you can connect to headphones, earbuds, and speakers whenever you need listening privacy.

Whether you want to hold onto wired headphones you already have or jump on the newest technology; there are ways to get the iPad Air to work for you.

Using a Bluetooth connection, you can use third-party devices such as wireless keyboards, headphones, speakers, car kits, game controllers, and more with iPad.

1. Follow the instructions that came with the device to put it in discovery mode.

   Note: To pair AirPods, see the instructions for your model in the “Pair and connect” section in the AirPods User Guide.

2. On iPad, go to Settings 

   
    > Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth, then tap the name of the device.

iPad must be within about 33 feet (10 meters) of the Bluetooth device.

After you pair a compatible game controller, you can customize it for supported games from Apple Arcade and the App Store.

1. Go to Settings 

   
    > General > Game Controller.

2. Tap the buttons you want to change.

3. To customize for a specific app, tap Add App.

Note: Apple Arcade availability varies by country or region.

1. On your iPad, open an audio app, such as Music, then choose an item to play.

2. Tap

   
   , then choose your Bluetooth device.

   While audio is playing, you can change the playback destination on the Lock Screen or in Control Center.

The playback destination returns to iPad if you move the device out of Bluetooth range.

For information about protecting your hearing from loud volume while listening to headphones with iPad, see Use headphone audio-level features on iPad.

Go to Settings 

If you don’t see the Devices list, make sure Bluetooth is on.

If you have AirPods and you tap Forget This Device, they’re automatically removed from other devices where you’re signed in with the same Apple ID.

To quickly disconnect from all Bluetooth devices without turning Bluetooth off, open Control Center, then tap

To learn about Bluetooth privacy settings on iPad, see the Apple Support article If an app would like to use Bluetooth on your device. If you have trouble connecting a Bluetooth device, see the Apple Support article If you can’t connect a Bluetooth accessory to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Note: The use of certain accessories with iPad may affect wireless performance. Not all iOS or iPadOS accessories are fully compatible with iPad. Turning on airplane mode may eliminate audio interference between iPad and an accessory. Reorienting or relocating iPad and the connected accessory may improve wireless performance.