How can I connect my AirPods Max to my Apple TV?

I think it is worth noting that AirPods Max do not automatically pair with an Apple TV. They pair automatically only with iOS/iPodOS devices (with latest software and logged into same iCloud account, etc). You must manually select them every time you use your Apple TV.

I turn on my Apple TV. Sound comes on the television speaker. I then put on my AirPods Max. I would expect the sound from the Apple TV to be heard right away. Instead, my iPhone (closest iOS device) begins playing whatever was last active (ie Music or Podcast). I then have to manually select the Airpods Max on the Apple TV.

This is a hardware limitation for now, but Apple certainly does not mention it in the instructions.

If you press and hold the TV button on the Apple remote it will show you Bluetooth headphones that have been paired with it and you can select them from the list, so it’s actually very easy already to switch audio from your tv speakers to a Bluetooth headset for instance. You don’t need to re-pair them every time or even go into settings if they have already been paired before.

Hello and welcome to Apple Support Communities, sophia0502.

If we understand your post correctly, you're trying to connect your AirPods Max to your Apple TV. We’d like to help.

Follow the steps in this article:

Use Bluetooth accessories with your Apple TV

Let us know if that resolves this issue for you.

Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities.

Update.. I experimented a little bit. Your Apple TV (mine is 4K) will automatically connect to the last pair of Bluetooth headphones it was paired with — as long as no iOS/iPadOS device was used with them in between.

For example I paired my Airpods Max to the Apple TV. After a while I put them in the case for deep sleep. Sound goes to TV (expected). Removed Airpods Max from case and put them on. Sound moves immediately from TV to Airpods Max.

Restart the Apple TV and you must re-pair them. (Not obvious)

Listen to a Podcast or Apple Music on your iPhone and then exit the app, you must re-pair them to the Apple TV.

If your iPhone starts playing sound (even on its speaker), you must repair them to the TV.

If another pair of Bluetooth headphones is paired to the TV you must pair them (kind of expected).

When the next Apple TV hardware comes out (not announced) it should be seamless.