What you need before you start

To connect a Bluetooth device — a wireless speaker, headphones, keyboard, mouse, or fitness tracker — you need two things: the device itself and a computer or phone with Bluetooth built in. Most laptops, tablets, and phones made in the last ten years have Bluetooth. Older desktop computers usually do not, unless you add a USB Bluetooth adapter (a small dongle that costs $10 to $30).

Before you begin, make sure your Bluetooth device is charged or has fresh batteries. Check the device's manual or packaging to find out how to turn Bluetooth on — some devices have a physical switch, others require holding a button for a few seconds until a light blinks. The blinking light means the device is in pairing mode and ready to be found.

The process is slightly different on Windows, Mac, iPhone, and Android, but the basic steps are the same: turn on Bluetooth on both devices, search for the device you want to connect, select it from the list, and confirm the pairing.

Key Takeaways

  • Your computer or phone must have Bluetooth turned on before it can find any wireless devices.
  • The device you want to connect must be in pairing mode, usually shown by a blinking light or indicated in the manual.
  • Once paired, most devices reconnect automatically the next time both are turned on and in range.
  • If a device will not connect, restarting both the device and your computer or phone usually fixes the problem.

Connecting on Windows 10 or 11

Open the Settings app and select Bluetooth & devices (or Devices on older Windows versions). Toggle Bluetooth on if it is not already. You should see a button that says Add device or Pair new device. Click it, then select Bluetooth from the menu that appears.

Windows will search for nearby devices in pairing mode. When your device appears in the list, click on it. Some devices ask you to confirm a code that appears on both the device and your screen — if you see this, the numbers should match. Click Connect or Yes to finish. The device should now appear in your Bluetooth list as Connected.

If the device does not appear, make sure it is in pairing mode and close enough to your computer. Bluetooth works best within 30 feet, though walls and other electronics can reduce that range. Wait a few seconds and try searching again.

Connecting on Mac

Click the Apple menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Go to Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you should see a toggle switch at the top. Your Mac will automatically search for nearby devices in pairing mode.

When your device appears in the list, click Connect next to it. Some devices ask you to confirm a pairing code — if you see one, check that the numbers match on both screens and click Confirm. Once connected, the device will show as Connected in the Bluetooth menu.

Connecting on iPhone or iPad

Open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — the toggle should be green. Your phone will search for nearby devices automatically. When your device appears under Other Devices, tap its name.

If the device asks you to confirm a pairing code, check that the numbers match and tap Pair. The device will move from Other Devices to the top of the list once it is connected. If you see a Forget button instead of Connect, the device is already paired and will reconnect automatically next time.

Connecting on Android

Open Settings and tap Connected devices or Bluetooth (the exact name varies by phone brand). Turn Bluetooth on if it is not already. Tap Pair new device or Add device. Your phone will search for nearby devices in pairing mode.

When your device appears in the list, tap it. Some devices ask you to confirm a code — if you see one, check that the numbers match and tap Pair. Once connected, the device will appear in your list of paired devices.

What to do if the connection fails

If a device will not connect, the most common fix is to restart both the device and your computer or phone. Turn off the Bluetooth device completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer or phone. This clears temporary connection problems that prevent pairing.

If restarting does not work, try removing or forgetting the device and pairing it again from scratch. On Windows, right-click the device in Bluetooth settings and select Remove device. On Mac, click the X next to the device name. On iPhone or iPad, tap Forget This Device. On Android, tap the settings icon next to the device name and select Forget. Then put the device back in pairing mode and search for it again.

If the device still will not connect, check that it is fully charged or has fresh batteries, and that it is within 30 feet of your computer or phone with no major obstacles between them. Some devices have a limit on how many devices they can pair with at once — if you have already paired it with another phone or computer, you may need to unpair it there first.

How to reconnect after the first time

Once you have paired a device, it remembers your computer or phone. The next time you turn on the device and your computer or phone is nearby with Bluetooth on, they will reconnect automatically. You do not have to pair them again.

If a device does not reconnect automatically, turn Bluetooth off and back on on your computer or phone, or restart the device itself. If you have moved far away and come back, or if the device has been off for a long time, it may take a few seconds to reconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I connect the same Bluetooth device to multiple phones or computers?

Yes, most devices can pair with several phones or computers. However, they can usually only connect to one at a time. To switch which device it connects to, you may need to disconnect it from the first one or turn Bluetooth off on the first device before connecting to the second.

Why does my device keep disconnecting?

Bluetooth disconnects when the device moves out of range, when Bluetooth is turned off, or when the battery is low. If it disconnects even when nearby, restart both devices. If the problem continues, the device may have a hardware issue or interference from other wireless devices like microwaves or Wi-Fi routers.

Do I need to enter a password to pair a Bluetooth device?

Most devices do not require a password. Some ask you to confirm a code that appears on both screens to make sure you are pairing with the right device. A few older devices may ask for a PIN, which is usually 0000 or 1234 — check the manual if you are not sure.

What if my computer does not have Bluetooth?

You can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter for $10 to $30 that plugs into any USB port. Once plugged in, your computer will treat it as built-in Bluetooth and you can pair devices the same way. Make sure to install any drivers the adapter comes with.

Can I use Bluetooth and Wi-Fi at the same time?

Yes. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi use different radio frequencies and do not interfere with each other on most devices. However, some older phones or computers may experience slower Wi-Fi speeds when Bluetooth is actively transferring data, though this is rare.