How to Connect AfterShokz (Shokz) Headphones to Any Device

AfterShokz — now rebranded as Shokz — make bone conduction headphones that sit in front of your ears rather than in or over them. Connecting them follows the same general Bluetooth pairing process as most wireless headphones, but a few quirks specific to bone conduction devices and AfterShokz firmware are worth knowing before you start.

What "Connecting" Actually Means With AfterShokz

AfterShokz headphones use Bluetooth as their primary connection method. There's no dongle, no proprietary receiver — just standard Bluetooth pairing between the headset and your phone, tablet, computer, or smartwatch.

When you connect for the first time, the headphones and device go through a pairing handshake: they exchange identifiers and store each other in memory. After that initial pairing, reconnection is usually automatic — the headphones power on and find the last connected device within range.

Most AfterShokz models support Bluetooth 5.0, which offers a more stable connection and lower power draw than older Bluetooth versions, though the practical range stays around 10 meters (33 feet) in open space, with walls and interference reducing that.

Step-by-Step: First-Time Pairing

Entering Pairing Mode

1. Power off the headphones if they're already on.
2. Press and hold the multifunction button (usually on the right earcup or the main control unit) for approximately 5–7 seconds until you hear a voice prompt say "Pairing" and the LED flashes red and blue alternately.
3. On some models like the OpenRun Pro, holding the volume+ button while powering on also triggers pairing mode.

The exact button location and timing varies slightly by model. If the headphones have been paired before, you may need to delete existing pairings first — holding the multifunction button for a longer press (typically 10+ seconds) performs a full reset on most AfterShokz devices.

On Your Phone or Tablet (iOS and Android)

1. Open Settings → Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is toggled on.
2. Your AfterShokz should appear in the available devices list as something like "AfterShokz OpenRun" or "Shokz OpenRun Pro" depending on model.
3. Tap the device name to pair.
4. You'll hear a confirmation tone or voice prompt — "Connected."

On a Windows PC

1. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Add device → Bluetooth.
2. With the headphones in pairing mode, select them from the list.
3. Windows will install any needed audio drivers automatically.

On a Mac

1. Open System Settings (or System Preferences) → Bluetooth.
2. Select the AfterShokz from the device list while they're in pairing mode.
3. Click Connect.

Multipoint Connection: Pairing to Two Devices at Once 🎧

Several AfterShokz models — including the OpenRun Pro and OpenComm — support multipoint Bluetooth, meaning they can maintain active connections to two devices simultaneously. This is useful if you switch between a phone and a laptop throughout the day.

To set up multipoint:

• Pair the first device normally.
• Without disconnecting, put the headphones back into pairing mode on the second device.
• Both connections are stored and active.

The headphones will auto-switch audio to whichever device is playing. Calls generally take priority over music. Not all AfterShokz models support this — entry-level options typically connect to one device at a time.

Common Connection Issues and What Causes Them

The audio profile issue on Windows is particularly common. When headphones connect in HSP/HFP mode (the headset profile used for calls and mic input), audio quality drops noticeably. Switching to A2DP in Windows sound settings restores full stereo audio — but you lose the microphone while in that mode. This is a Bluetooth limitation, not an AfterShokz-specific problem.

How the AfterShokz App Affects Connectivity

The Shokz app (available for iOS and Android) doesn't handle the Bluetooth pairing itself — that still happens through your device's system settings. What the app adds is:

• EQ customization per connected device
• Firmware updates that can resolve connectivity bugs
• Battery status display
• Multipoint configuration options on supported models

Running a firmware update through the app is often the first fix for persistent connection instability, especially after a phone OS update changes Bluetooth stack behavior.

Variables That Affect Your Connection Experience

Whether connecting AfterShokz is seamless or requires troubleshooting depends on several factors that vary by user:

• Your device's Bluetooth version — older Bluetooth 4.0 devices may have range or stability differences compared to Bluetooth 5.0 hardware
• Operating system version — recent iOS or Android updates occasionally introduce Bluetooth compatibility changes that require a headphone firmware update to resolve
• How many devices you've previously paired — AfterShokz headphones store a limited number of paired devices (typically 3–5), and a full memory can prevent new pairings
• Your environment — dense Wi-Fi environments (offices, apartments) increase 2.4GHz interference, since Bluetooth shares that frequency band
• Which AfterShokz model you have — the OpenRun, OpenRun Pro, OpenMove, OpenComm, and OpenFit all have slightly different button layouts, Bluetooth versions, and multipoint support levels

Someone using an OpenRun Pro paired to a recent iPhone in a quiet home will have a very different experience from someone trying to connect an older OpenMove to a Windows laptop in a crowded office on an older Bluetooth adapter. The steps are the same; the outcome depends on the combination of hardware, software, and environment in play. 🔧