The basic pairing process for Beats

To connect Beats to your phone, turn on your Beats headphones, go to your phone's Bluetooth settings, and select your Beats from the list of available devices. The first time you pair them, your Beats will enter pairing mode automatically — usually within 30 seconds of powering on. After that first pairing, your Beats will reconnect to your phone whenever both devices are turned on and within Bluetooth range (typically 30 feet).

The exact steps differ slightly between iPhone and Android, but the core idea is the same: your phone scans for nearby Bluetooth devices, finds your Beats, and creates a connection. Once paired, you don't have to repeat this process unless you unpair them intentionally or pair them with a different device.

Key Takeaways

  • New Beats enter pairing mode automatically when you power them on for the first time, and your phone will see them in Bluetooth settings within 30 seconds.
  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap your Beats name; on Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth, then select your Beats.
  • If your Beats don't appear in the list, restart both devices and make sure your Beats battery is not critically low.
  • Once paired, your Beats will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on, as long as Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.
  • If you want to pair the same Beats with multiple phones, you'll need to unpair them from the first phone before pairing with the second.

Pairing Beats with an iPhone

Open Settings on your iPhone and tap Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you'll see a blue toggle switch if it is. Your iPhone will begin scanning for nearby devices. When your Beats appear in the list under "Other Devices," tap the name. Your iPhone will show "Connecting" briefly, then display "Connected" underneath the Beats name.

If this is your first time pairing these Beats with any Apple device, you may see a popup asking you to confirm the pairing. Tap "Connect" or "Pair" to complete it. After this, the Beats will appear under "My Devices" in your Bluetooth settings, and they'll reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on.

Pairing Beats with an Android phone

Open Settings and look for "Connected Devices," "Bluetooth," or "Connections" — the exact name varies by manufacturer. Tap Bluetooth and turn it on if it's not already. Your phone will scan for nearby devices. When your Beats appear in the list, tap the name to pair.

Some Android phones show a popup asking you to confirm the pairing; if yours does, tap "Pair" or "Connect." Once the connection is established, your Beats will show as "Connected" in the Bluetooth menu. They'll reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.

What to do if your Beats don't appear in the Bluetooth list

If you've turned on your Beats but they're not showing up in your phone's Bluetooth menu, first check that your Beats actually have battery. If the battery is very low, they may not enter pairing mode. Charge them for at least 15 minutes, then try again.

Next, restart both devices. Turn off your Beats completely, then turn them back on. On your phone, toggle Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, and toggle it back on. This clears temporary connection issues that sometimes prevent devices from finding each other. Your Beats should appear in the list within 30 seconds.

If they still don't appear, check whether your Beats are already paired with another device nearby — a laptop, tablet, or another phone. Beats can only connect to one device at a time, so if they're paired with something else, unpair them from that device first, then try pairing with your phone again.

Reconnecting Beats that were previously paired

Once you've paired your Beats with your phone, they'll reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on. You don't need to go back into Bluetooth settings. Just power on your Beats, and within a few seconds they'll connect to your phone if Bluetooth is enabled.

If your Beats don't reconnect automatically, check that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings. If it is, restart both devices — turn off your Beats, toggle Bluetooth off on your phone, wait 10 seconds, then turn both back on. They should reconnect within 30 seconds.

Pairing the same Beats with a different phone

Beats can only be actively paired with one device at a time. If you want to use the same Beats with a second phone, you'll need to unpair them from the first phone first.

To unpair on iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Beats in the list, tap the information icon (a small circle with an "i"), and select "Forget This Device." On Android, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Beats, tap the settings icon or gear next to the name, and select "Unpair" or "Forget." After unpairing, your Beats will enter pairing mode again, and you can pair them with your second phone using the same steps as before.

Why your Beats keep disconnecting

If your Beats connect but then disconnect after a few minutes, the most common cause is that Bluetooth is being turned off automatically. Some phones have a setting that disables Bluetooth when the screen locks or after a period of inactivity. Check your phone's Bluetooth settings to see if there's an option to keep Bluetooth on while the screen is off.

Another common cause is interference from other devices. Bluetooth operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency, which is also used by Wi-Fi, microwaves, and some wireless speakers. If you're near multiple devices using this frequency, try moving away from them or turning off nearby Wi-Fi networks temporarily to see if the connection stabilizes.

If disconnections happen only in certain locations or with certain apps, the issue may be with your phone's Bluetooth hardware or a software bug. Restart your phone and your Beats, and update your phone's operating system if an update is available. If the problem persists, try unpairing and re-pairing your Beats from scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to pair my Beats every time I use them?

No. After the first pairing, your Beats will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and your phone's Bluetooth is enabled. You only need to pair them again if you unpair them intentionally or if you want to pair them with a different device.

Can I pair my Beats with multiple phones at the same time?

No. Beats can only be actively connected to one device at a time. However, you can pair them with multiple devices in your Bluetooth settings, and they'll reconnect to whichever device you turn on first. To pair with a new device, you'll need to unpair from the current device first.

Why does my phone say "Beats (Not Connected)" in Bluetooth settings?

This means your Beats are paired with your phone but not currently connected. Turn your Beats on, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone, and they should connect within 30 seconds. If they don't, restart both devices.

What if I forgot which phone my Beats are paired with?

Turn on your Beats and see which device they connect to automatically — that's the device they're currently paired with. If you want to pair them with a different phone, unpair them from the current device first, then pair with the new phone.

Can I use my Beats with my phone and computer at the same time?

No. Beats can only connect to one device at a time. If you want to switch from your phone to your computer, unpair them from your phone first, then pair with your computer. Some Beats models have a button to switch between paired devices, but you'll still need to unpair from one before the other can connect.