Connecting a soundbar to an Apple TV is an immersive way to improve the audio listening experience. The easiest way to connect any soundbar to an Apple TV is by using an HDMI or Optical cable. In addition to a wired connection, you can also connect your soundbar wirelessly if it has the Bluetooth feature. This article demonstrates step-by-step instructions for setting up a soundbar on all Apple TV models.
How to Connect Apple TV 4K to Soundbar Using HDMI Cable
1. Take a high-quality HDMI cable compatible with Apple TV and soundbar.
2. Grab the HDMI cable and connect one end to the Apple TV’s HDMI port and the other end to the HDMI IN port of your soundbar.
![Connect your Apple TV and soundbar using an HDMI cable](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/How-to-Connect-Apple-TV-to-Soundbar02.png)
3. Once connected, turn on the TV you have plugged into Apple TV.
4. Grab the TV remote, navigate to Settings, and choose the Audio Output option.
6. Then, select the HDMI ARC or OPTICAL option under the audio output section.
7. Now, you must change the TV’s input to which you have connected the HDMI cable.
8. Once done, navigate to the TV Settings and choose the Video and Audio option.
![Choose the Video and Audio option](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/How-to-Connect-Apple-TV-to-Soundbar0.png)
9. On the next screen, tap the Audio Output option and select your soundbar from the list of available devices.
To check whether the connection is successful, play any audio and check if you can able to listen to it through the soundbar.
How to Connect Apple TV 4K to Soundbar Using Bluetooth
1. Put your soundbar in pairing mode. To do this, look for the Pairing button on the soundbar and tap on it. In some soundbars, you need to press the Source button to enable the pairing mode.
2. Once done, go to the Apple TV Settings and choose the Remotes and Devices option.
![Choose the Remote and Devices option to connect your Apple TV to Soundbar](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/How-to-Connect-Apple-TV-to-Soundbar03.png)
3. Choose Bluetooth and wait a minute to scan the nearby active Bluetooth devices.
4. Select your specific soundbar from the list of devices.
5. Once paired, you can check the connection by playing any audio file on the Apple TV and verify whether you get the audio through the soundbar.
Note: Similarly, you can connect AirPods to an Apple TV using the Bluetooth feature.
How to Connect Apple TV to Soundbar Using Optical Cable
If your Apple TV comes under 3rd generation and below models, you are in luck. Apple TV 3rd generation and earlier models come with an Optical Audio port. This is a convenient way to connect your soundbar to older Apple TV models.
1. Connect your Apple TV and TV using an HDMI cable.
2. Take the Optical cable and connect its end end into your Apple TV’s Optical Audio port.
![Connect the Optical cable to Apple TV's optical audio](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/how-to-connect-apple-tv-to-soundbar-1.webp)
3. Then, insert the other end of the optical cable into the Optical IN port of your soundbar.
![Optical port of soundbar](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/How-to-Connect-Apple-TV-to-Soundbar10.png)
Finally, you can change the audio output settings on your Apple TV to listen to the audio through your soundbar. If you watch a 4K UHD movie on your Apple TV that supports Dolby Atmos, you can enable this setting for a cinematic surround experience. To do this, go to Settings, select Video and Audio, and choose Audio Format. On the next screen, select Dolby Atmos under Immersive Audio and turn it On.