The basic steps to connect Beats
To connect Beats wirelessly, turn on Bluetooth on your device, then hold the power button on your Beats for about 10 seconds until the LED light flashes white. Your Beats will appear in your device's Bluetooth menu as an available device — select them to pair. Once paired the first time, your Beats will reconnect automatically when you turn them on near that device.
The exact timing and light signals vary slightly between Beats models. Some older models use a dedicated pairing button instead of holding the power button. Check the small manual that came with your headphones or search for your specific model number online to confirm the pairing method.
After pairing, your Beats are ready to use. Audio will play through them automatically when they are powered on and in range. You can pair the same Beats with multiple devices — a phone, tablet, and laptop, for example — though they will only connect to one device at a time.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on Bluetooth on your device, then hold the power button on your Beats for about 10 seconds until the LED flashes white to enter pairing mode.
- Select your Beats from the Bluetooth menu on your device to complete the pairing process.
- Once paired, your Beats will reconnect automatically to that device whenever you turn them on nearby.
- You can pair the same Beats with multiple devices, but they will only play audio from one device at a time.
- Different Beats models may use slightly different pairing methods, so check your manual if the power button method does not work.
Pairing with iPhone or iPad
On an iPhone or iPad, swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center, then tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it on. Hold the power button on your Beats for about 10 seconds until the LED flashes white. Your Beats should appear at the top of the Bluetooth menu in Control Center — tap the name to connect.
If your Beats do not appear, go to Settings > Bluetooth instead. Make sure Bluetooth is on, then look for your Beats in the list of available devices. Tap the name to pair. Once connected, a small Beats icon will appear next to the device name in the Bluetooth menu.
If you have an Apple ID and are signed into iCloud on your iPhone, your Beats may pair with your other Apple devices automatically after the first connection. This means they could connect to your iPad or Mac without you pairing them separately, depending on your settings.
Pairing with Android phones and tablets
On Android, open Settings and look for Bluetooth or Connected Devices. Turn Bluetooth on, then hold the power button on your Beats for about 10 seconds until the LED flashes white. Your Beats will appear in the list of available devices — tap the name to pair.
Some Android phones organize Bluetooth settings differently. If you cannot find Bluetooth in the main Settings menu, try looking under Settings > Connections or Settings > Wireless. Once Bluetooth is on and your Beats are in pairing mode, the connection process is the same.
After pairing, your Beats will show as "Connected" in the Bluetooth menu. If they disconnect later, you can reconnect by turning them on near your phone — they should reconnect automatically without needing to pair again.
Pairing with Mac or Windows computers
On a Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then click Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is on. Hold the power button on your Beats for about 10 seconds until the LED flashes white, then select them from the list of available devices.
On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices, make sure Bluetooth is on, then click "Add device." Select Bluetooth from the menu. Hold the power button on your Beats for about 10 seconds until the LED flashes white, then select them when they appear in the list.
Once paired with your computer, your Beats will appear in the audio output menu. You may need to set them as your default audio device if you want sound to play through them automatically. This setting is usually in the same Bluetooth menu where you paired them.
What to do if your Beats won't pair
If your Beats do not appear in the Bluetooth menu, make sure they are charged and powered on. The LED light should be visible when you press the power button. If the light does not turn on, plug them in and wait a few minutes before trying again.
If your Beats are powered on but still do not appear, try forgetting them from your device and pairing again. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Beats in the list, tap the info icon, and select "Forget This Device." Then hold the power button on your Beats for 10 seconds and pair them again.
On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth, find your Beats, tap the settings icon next to them, and select "Unpair" or "Forget." On Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, find your Beats, click the info icon, and select "Remove." On Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices, find your Beats, and click "Remove Device." After removing, pair them again from scratch.
If your Beats still will not pair after removing and trying again, restart your device. Turn it off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. Then try pairing your Beats again. If they still do not work, your Beats may need a factory reset — hold the power button for 15 seconds until the LED flashes red and white, then try pairing.
Switching your Beats between devices
Once your Beats are paired with multiple devices, you can switch between them by turning off Bluetooth on the device you were using and turning it on for the device you want to use. Your Beats will disconnect from the first device and reconnect to the second one within a few seconds.
Some Beats models support faster switching through a feature called multipoint connection, which lets them stay connected to two devices at once and switch between them automatically when you start playing audio. Check your Beats model to see if this feature is available — if it is, you may need to turn it on in the Beats app.
If your Beats are stuck connected to the wrong device, turn off Bluetooth on that device, then turn on Bluetooth on the device you want to use. Your Beats should reconnect to the correct device within a few seconds.
Using the Beats app for additional settings
The Beats app, available for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, and Windows, lets you adjust sound settings, check battery level, and update your Beats firmware. Download the app from the App Store, Google Play, or the Beats website, then open it and follow the prompts to connect your Beats.
In the app, you can customize the sound profile, adjust noise cancellation levels if your model supports it, and see how much battery your Beats have remaining. The app also shows you which device your Beats are currently connected to and lets you manage pairing with multiple devices.
Firmware updates for your Beats are usually installed automatically through the app when you are connected and plugged in. Keeping your Beats updated ensures they work smoothly with your devices and may add new features or fix connection issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Beats keep disconnecting?
Disconnections usually happen when your Beats move out of Bluetooth range, which is typically 30 feet or less depending on obstacles. If they disconnect even when close to your device, try forgetting them and pairing again. If the problem continues, restart both your Beats and your device, then pair them fresh.
Can I use my Beats with two devices at the same time?
Most Beats models can pair with multiple devices but only play audio from one at a time. Some newer models support multipoint connection, which keeps them connected to two devices and switches between them automatically. Check your model's specifications or the Beats app to see if this feature is available.
How do I know if my Beats are in pairing mode?
When you hold the power button for about 10 seconds, the LED light will flash white to show your Beats are in pairing mode. If the light flashes red and white instead, your Beats are in factory reset mode. If the light does not flash at all, your Beats may not be charged.
Do I have to pair my Beats every time I use them?
No. Once you pair your Beats with a device, they will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on near that device. You only need to pair them once per device, unless you forget them or reset your Beats to factory settings.
What if I lost the manual for my Beats model?
Search online for your Beats model number followed by "pairing instructions" or "user manual." You can also download the Beats app, which includes setup guides for most models. If you still cannot find instructions, try the standard method: hold the power button for 10 seconds until the LED flashes white, then select your Beats in your device's Bluetooth menu.