The basic steps work the same way on phones, tablets, and computers
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 whenever they're turned on and in range. The exact steps depend on whether you're using an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac, but the principle is identical on all of them.
Before you start, make sure your headphones are charged. Most Bluetooth headphones won't enter pairing mode if the battery is too low. Check your headphone manual or the manufacturer's website to find out how to turn on pairing mode — usually it's holding down a button for three to five seconds until you see a light flash or hear a tone.
Key Takeaways
- Put your headphones into pairing mode first (usually by holding the power button), then go to your device's Bluetooth settings and select the headphones from the list.
- On iPhones, go to Settings > Bluetooth, turn Bluetooth on, and tap your headphones' name when it appears.
- On Android phones, open Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth, turn it on, and select your headphones from the available devices list.
- Windows computers need Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & devices > Add device, while Macs use System Settings > General > AirDrop & Handoff > Bluetooth.
- If your headphones don't appear in the list, restart them, make sure they're in pairing mode, and try again — they usually need to be within 10 feet of your device.
Connecting on an iPhone or iPad
Open the Settings app and tap Bluetooth. Make sure the toggle at the top is switched on — it will turn blue when Bluetooth is active. Your iPhone will start searching for nearby devices.
Put your headphones into pairing mode. Most headphones require you to hold the power button or a dedicated pairing button for three to five seconds. You'll usually see a light flash (often blue and red alternating) or hear a tone. Once pairing mode is active, your headphones' name should appear in the list under "Other Devices" within 10 to 15 seconds.
Tap your headphones' name in the list. Your iPhone will connect to them, and the name will move to the top of the screen under "My Devices" with a checkmark next to it. You should hear a tone in your headphones confirming the connection. From now on, whenever you turn on your headphones near your iPhone, they'll reconnect automatically.
Connecting on an Android phone
Open the Settings app and look for Connected devices or Bluetooth — the exact name varies by phone brand. Tap it, then make sure Bluetooth is turned on. You'll see a toggle or switch at the top; it should turn blue or show "On" when active.
Put your headphones into pairing mode using the method described in your headphone manual. Your Android phone will show a list of available devices. Your headphones' name should appear within 10 to 15 seconds. Tap the name to connect.
Once connected, your headphones will appear under "Connected devices" or "Paired devices" at the top of the list. Your phone will remember these headphones and reconnect to them automatically the next time both are turned on and in range. If you need to disconnect them later, you can tap the name and select "Disconnect" or "Forget" depending on your phone.
Connecting on a Windows computer
Click the Start button and open Settings. Go to Devices, then select Bluetooth & devices from the left menu. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you'll see a toggle switch at the top.
Click Add device and choose Bluetooth. Windows will start searching for nearby devices. Put your headphones into pairing mode. Your headphones' name should appear in the list within 10 to 15 seconds. Click the name to connect.
Windows will show a confirmation message when the connection is complete. Your headphones will now appear under "Paired and connected" devices. The next time you turn on your headphones near your computer, Windows will reconnect them automatically. If you want to disconnect them without forgetting them, right-click the headphone name and select "Disconnect."
Connecting on a Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings. Go to General in the left sidebar, then click AirDrop & Handoff. Scroll down and click Bluetooth.
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you'll see a toggle switch. Put your headphones into pairing mode. Your headphones' name should appear in the list within 10 to 15 seconds. Click the name to connect.
Your Mac will confirm the connection and your headphones will appear in the Bluetooth menu with a checkmark. From now on, your Mac will reconnect to them automatically when they're turned on and nearby. If you need to disconnect them, open the Bluetooth menu again and click the X next to the headphone name.
What to do if your headphones won't appear in the list
The most common reason headphones don't show up is that they're not actually in pairing mode. Check your headphone manual to confirm the exact button combination and how long to hold it. Some headphones require a specific sequence — for example, power on, then hold a separate pairing button. If you're unsure, try holding the power button for 10 seconds instead of the usual three to five.
Make sure your headphones are charged. If the battery is very low, many headphones won't enter pairing mode at all. Charge them for at least 15 minutes and try again. Also check that your device's Bluetooth is actually turned on — it's easy to miss the toggle switch.
Move your headphones closer to your device. Bluetooth works best within 10 feet, and walls or other obstacles can interfere. If you're too far away, your device won't see the headphones. Once they're within range and in pairing mode, wait 15 to 20 seconds for them to appear in the list.
If your headphones still don't appear, restart them by turning them off and back on, then put them in pairing mode again. If that doesn't work, restart your device as well. Occasionally a device's Bluetooth radio needs to be reset, and restarting fixes it. After restarting, turn Bluetooth back on and try pairing once more.
Connecting the same headphones to multiple devices
Most Bluetooth headphones can remember multiple devices at once — typically between two and eight. Once you've paired your headphones with your phone, you can pair them with your computer or tablet using the same steps. The headphones will stay paired with all of them.
When you turn on your headphones, they'll usually connect to whichever device they were last used with. If you want to switch to a different device, disconnect them from the current one and then open Bluetooth settings on the new device. Your headphones should reconnect automatically since they already remember it. Some newer headphones have a button to manually switch between paired devices — check your manual to see if yours does.
If your headphones are paired with too many devices and you want to remove one, go to that device's Bluetooth settings and select "Forget" or "Remove." This erases the pairing from both the device and the headphones. You can always pair them again later by following the same steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my headphones keep disconnecting?
Disconnections usually happen because something is blocking the Bluetooth signal between your headphones and device. Move them closer together and away from other electronics like microwaves or Wi-Fi routers, which can interfere. If disconnections happen in the same location, try moving to a different room. Low battery on your headphones can also cause drops — charge them fully and see if the problem stops.
Can I use the same headphones with my phone and computer at the same time?
No. Bluetooth headphones can only connect to one device at a time, even if they're paired with multiple devices. To switch, disconnect from one device and reconnect to the other. Some headphones have a button to manually switch between paired devices, but most require you to go into Bluetooth settings to change which device they're connected to.
What if I forgot which device my headphones are paired with?
Put your headphones in pairing mode and they'll connect to whichever device you're actively trying to pair them with. If you want to clear all pairings and start fresh, check your headphone manual for a factory reset option — this usually involves holding a button for 10 to 15 seconds. After a reset, your headphones will pair with the first device you try to connect them to.
Do I need to put my headphones in pairing mode every time I use them?
No. Once paired, your headphones will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on near your device. Pairing mode is only needed the first time, or if you're connecting to a new device. Just turn your headphones on and they should connect within a few seconds.
Why is the sound coming out of my device speaker instead of my headphones?
Your headphones are paired but not actively connected. Go to your device's Bluetooth settings and make sure your headphones show as "Connected" rather than just "Paired." If they show as paired but not connected, tap the name to connect them. Also check that your headphones are turned on — if the battery dies, they'll disconnect and your device will switch back to the speaker.