The latest iPads have exceptional speakers, delivering impressive volume and high-quality audio.
But the speakers can’t compete with the headphones. Headphones provide better audio quality, bass, and noise-canceling. Headphones offer a more private and immersive listening experience.
In this article, I’ll cover how to connect wired headphones to an iPad without a headphone jack, how to connect Bluetooth headphones to an iPad, and how to connect two headphones to an iPad simultaneously.
How To Connect Bluetooth Headphones to iPad
Here’s how you can pair iPad with your Bluetooth accessories to stream music, videos and movies, make video calls, etc.
- Turn on your Bluetooth headphones and make sure they are in ‘pairing mode.’
- On your iPad, open ‘Settings.’
- Tap on ‘Bluetooth.’
- Turn on ‘Bluetooth’ if it’s not already on.
- Your Bluetooth headphones should appear in the list of available devices under ‘Other Devices.’
- Tap on your headphones’ name to pair them with your iPad.
- Once connected, you’ll see ‘Connected’ next to your headphones.
Your Bluetooth headphones should now be paired with your iPad.
How To Connect Two Bluetooth Headphones to iPad
If you want to watch a movie together or listen to music together on your iPad, it’s doable.
Apple has a feature: “Share Audio.” This feature allows you to connect two Bluetooth headphones to your iPad at the same time.
This feature is only compatible with iPadOS/ iOS 13.1 or later. This is how you enable it:
- Connect the first earbuds/headphones to your iPad.
- In the Control Center or within the music/streaming app, tap on ‘Share Audio.’
- Bring the second pair of AirPods or Beats headphones close to the iPad.
- The iPad will automatically detect the device and display its name on the screen. Tap ‘Share Audio’ to connect them.
- Once both devices are connected, you can control their audio settings collectively or individually. You can play, pause, or stop the audio using controls on the Lock Screen or in the Control Center.
‘Shareed Audio’ is only compatible with certain new iPad models and wireless headsets.
Compatible iPads:
- The iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd-generation) and later
- The iPad Pro 11-inch(All generations) + iPad Pro 10.5-inch
- The iPad Air (3rd-generation) and later
- The iPad mini (5th-generation) and later
- The iPad (5th-generation) and later
this feature works with all of Apple’s in-house earbuds and headphones. Compatible Apple headphones:
AirPods Max, AirPods Pro(gen 1, gen 2), AirPods(gen 1, 2, 3), Powerbeats, Solo Pro, Powerbeats Pro, Powerbeats 3 Wireless, Beats Solo 3 Wireless, Beats Studio 3 Wireless, Beats X, Beats Flex, and Beats Fit Pro.
How To Connect Wired Headphones To iPad
iPads no longer have headphone jacks. But what if you still have wired headphones with 3.5mm jack?
There’s still a way how you can connect them to an iPad. You will need to buy a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or Lightning port to 3.5mm adapter. Depending on which port does your iPad has. All the latest models now have USB-C ports, but the older generation iPads have Lightning ports.
The adapter enables you to use traditional wired headphones with a device that doesn’t have a dedicated headphone jack(AUX) but uses a USB Type C port or Lightning port for audio output.
These adapters are also known as:
- USB-C (male) and 3.5mm jack (female).
- Lightning port (male) and 3.5mm jack (female).
- Works with all the iPads, among other devices with USB-C Ports(iPhones & other smartphones)
- Send sound from your USB-C device to your headphones.
- Plug it in and start listening.
- Durable.
- Works with all the iPads, among other devices with USB-C Ports(iPhones & other smartphones)
- The iPad can stream audio while charging at the same time.
- Send sound from your USB-C device to your headphones.
- Plug it in and start listening.
You can connect wired earbuds or headphones and still charge your device. Letting you enjoy music, gaming, calls, or videos while charging your iPad in the meantime.
- Works with all the older iPads, among other devices with Lightning Ports
- Send sound from your Lightning port device to your headphones.
- Plug it in and start listening.
- Durable.
How To Connect Two Wired Headphones To iPad
Apple’s “Audio Share” feature is incredibly handy when you want to enjoy a movie or music with a friend or a loved one, but what if you have wired headphones? No worries, you can connect two wired headphones to iPad, but you will need an adapter with two headphone jacks.
- Send sound from your USB-C port to two devices simultaneously while charging your iPad.
- Works with all the USB-C iPads, among other devices with USB-C Ports.
- Plug it in and start listening.
- Durable.
This adapter features a USB-C port for convenient iPad charging, along with two headphone jacks, allowing you to enjoy a movie on an airplane or a music playlist.
The sound quality depends primarily on your headphones rather than the method you use to connect your devices so you won’t lose audio quality.
Upgrade To Wireless Headphones/Earbuds
In case you are thinking about upgrading to Bluetooth earbuds/headphones I’ve some recommendations:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
2nd Gen  | 9.9 | Buy on Amazon | |
3rd Gen  | 9.7 | Buy on Amazon | |
Wireless  | 8.9 | Buy on Amazon | |
Wireless  | 8.8 | Buy on Amazon | |
 | 8.6 | Buy on Amazon |
Note: if you want to use the ‘share audio’ feature on the iPad, where you can connect two Bluetooth headphones at the same time, you will need to buy either AirPods or Beats. Both of the headphones need to come from Apple or the feature won’t work.
FAQ
Can You Connect One Bluetooth Headphone and One Wired Headphone to an iPad?
You cannot listen to audio from two different sources. The audio will only play to one device at a time. You can switch between the devices, but you can play them simultaneously.
What’s the Connection Range?
The connection range depends on the Bluetooth headphones you’re using. In most cases, you can expect a range of around 30 feet
What if One of the Headphones Won’t Connect to iPad?
Ensure your headphones are compatible with the audio-sharing feature.
Confirm that both headphones are in pairing mode.
Make sure there are no other connected devices that could cause interference.
Related Articles:
List of iPhones with Headphone Jacks
List of iPads with Headphone Jacks
Are iPads Allowed in Planes?
iPads Sound & Volume Troubleshoot
I'm a writer and editor in iPads & Android Tablets, Windows Tablet section. I'm passionate about technology, especially about tablets. I'm on a mission to assist people in discovering their ideal tablets. In addition, I'm dedicated to producing helpful how-to guides and sharing top-notch tips and tricks. In my early carrier I founded and became and editor at worldoftablet and have been a guest author at many other tech blogs. In wolfoftablet I'm focusing on iPads, Tablets, Apple Pencil, Apps, Reviews, Buyers Guides and Tablet Accessories. In free time I like to play games on my PS5 or iOS.
