The basic steps work the same way on almost every device
Connecting Bluetooth headphones means putting your headphones into pairing mode, then telling your device to find and remember them. The process takes about two minutes the first time, and after that your headphones will reconnect automatically when you turn them on near the same device. On phones, tablets, and computers, you go to Settings, find Bluetooth, turn it on, wait for your headphones to appear in the list, tap or click them, and you're done.
The exact names and locations of these settings change between Android, iPhone, Windows, and Mac, but the order of steps stays the same. Your headphones need to be in pairing mode — usually by holding the power button for several seconds until a light flashes — before your device can see them. Once they're paired once, you don't need pairing mode again; just turn the headphones on and they'll connect on their own.
Key Takeaways
- Put your headphones into pairing mode by holding the power button until the light flashes, usually for three to five seconds.
- On your phone or computer, go to Settings, turn on Bluetooth, and select your headphones from the list that appears.
- After the first pairing, your headphones will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on near that device.
- If your headphones don't appear in the list, restart them, make sure they're fully charged, and try again.
- You can pair most headphones to multiple devices, but they will only connect to one at a time.
How to pair on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Make sure the toggle is on — it should be blue. Put your headphones into pairing mode by holding down the power button until you see a flashing light, usually white or blue. Your headphones should appear in the list under "Other Devices" within a few seconds.
Tap the name of your headphones. Your phone will say "Connecting" and then "Connected" once it's done. The headphones will remember your iPhone or iPad from now on, so the next time you turn them on, they'll connect without needing pairing mode again.
How to pair on Android phones and tablets
Open Settings and look for Bluetooth — it's usually under "Connected devices" or "Connections," depending on your phone's brand. Turn Bluetooth on. Put your headphones into pairing mode by holding the power button until the light flashes. Your headphones should show up in the list of available devices.
Tap your headphones to pair them. Android will show "Pairing" and then "Connected" once it's done. Some Android phones ask you to confirm a pairing code, but most just connect automatically. After this, your headphones will reconnect on their own whenever you turn them on.
How to pair on Windows computers
Click the Windows Start button and open Settings. Go to Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices. Turn Bluetooth on. Put your headphones into pairing mode. Click "Add Bluetooth or other device" and select Bluetooth from the menu that appears.
Your headphones should show up in the list. Click them to pair. Windows will say "Pairing" and then show your headphones as "Connected." After pairing, your headphones will reconnect automatically when Bluetooth is on and your headphones are in range.
How to pair on Mac computers
Click the Apple menu and open System Settings. Go to Bluetooth. Put your headphones into pairing mode. Your headphones should appear in the list on the left side of the Bluetooth window.
Click "Connect" next to your headphones. Mac will show "Connecting" and then "Connected" once it's done. Your headphones will now reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on near your Mac.
What to do if your headphones won't show up
If your headphones don't appear in the list after you put them in pairing mode, restart them by turning them off and back on. Make sure they're fully charged — some headphones won't enter pairing mode if the battery is too low. Wait a few seconds and try again. If they still don't show up, restart your phone or computer and repeat the process.
Check whether your headphones are already paired to another device. Most Bluetooth headphones can only pair to one device at a time, so if they're connected to your laptop, they won't show up on your phone. Turn off Bluetooth on the other device or unpair the headphones from it first. If your headphones have a manual, check whether there's a specific button or key combination for pairing mode — some models use a different method than holding the power button.
How to unpair or forget headphones
If you want to pair your headphones to a different device, or if they're not connecting properly, you can forget them. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your headphones in the list, tap the information icon next to them, and select "Forget This Device." On Android, go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth, find your headphones, and tap "Forget" or the settings icon next to them.
On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, find your headphones, click them, and select "Remove device." On Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, find your headphones, click the information icon next to them, and select "Remove." After you forget them, put your headphones back into pairing mode and pair them again as if it's the first time.
Pairing multiple devices to the same headphones
Most Bluetooth headphones can remember several devices at once, but they only connect to one at a time. You can pair your headphones to your phone, tablet, and computer all at the same time. When you turn on your headphones, they'll automatically connect to whichever device they were last used with, as long as that device has Bluetooth on.
If you want to switch to a different device, turn off Bluetooth on the current device or move your headphones out of range, then turn Bluetooth on on the device you want to use. Your headphones should connect to it within a few seconds. Some headphones have a button to manually switch between paired devices — check your manual to see if yours does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my headphones keep disconnecting?
Bluetooth headphones disconnect when they go out of range, the battery gets too low, or there's interference from other wireless devices. Keep your headphones within about 30 feet of your device. If the battery is low, charge them. If interference is the problem, move away from other wireless devices like microwaves or routers, or restart both your headphones and your phone or computer.
Can I use the same headphones with multiple devices at the same time?
No. Bluetooth headphones can be paired to multiple devices, but they only connect to one at a time. If you want to use them with a different device, disconnect them from the current one first by turning off Bluetooth or moving out of range, then turn Bluetooth on on the new device.
Do I have to put my headphones in pairing mode every time I use them?
No. Pairing mode is only needed the first time you connect to a device. After that, your headphones will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and your device's Bluetooth is on. You only need pairing mode again if you're pairing to a new device or if you've forgotten the headphones from your device's settings.
What if I lost the manual and don't know how to put my headphones in pairing mode?
Try holding the power button for three to five seconds until you see a flashing light. If that doesn't work, look for a separate pairing button — some headphones have one next to the power button. You can also search online for your headphone model and "pairing mode" to find the exact steps. Most manufacturers post this information on their websites.
Why won't my headphones connect to my computer but they work fine with my phone?
Your headphones might already be connected to your phone, and some models can't connect to two devices at the same time. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone or forget the headphones from your phone's settings, then try pairing them to your computer. If that doesn't work, restart both your headphones and your computer, then try pairing again.