Can I use my AirPods Max with a cable from a television headphone outlet with a 3.5mm Audio Adapter with lightning connector?

Hello Hopeful4TVears,

Thanks for that info and choosing the Apple Support Communities. It looks like you're having a question about activating wired mode on AirPods Max. We'd be happy to get your question answered.

Wired mode should be activated automatically when connecting your AirPods Max to the TV, an in-flight entertainment system, or any headphone output using  Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable.

For information about activating other modes on your AirPods Max, please check this out:

Change noise control modes on AirPods with iPhone

We hope this information is useful. Kind regards.

Hello Hopeful4TVears and welcome to Apple Support Communities.

It appears you have a concern about using AirPods Max in wired mode with a TV that includes a standard 3.5 mm headphone output.

Connect and use your AirPods Max

The only place where wired mode is mentioned in that article is for an in-flight entertainment system. But the wired mode is designed to be used with most any consumer level headphone output.

Cheers.