The basic steps to pair Beats with your phone

Connecting Beats headphones to your phone takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you own AirPods, Beats Studio Pro, Beats Fit Pro, or any other Beats model. Turn on your Beats, hold the power button until the LED light flashes (usually 5 to 10 seconds), then open your phone's Bluetooth settings and tap the Beats model when it appears in the list. Your phone will confirm the connection, and you're done.

The exact location of the pairing button varies by model. On over-ear Beats like Studio Pro, it's on the back of one ear cup. On Beats Fit Pro earbuds, it's on the case itself. On AirPods, you hold the button on the back of the case. Check your headphones or the manual that came with them if you're unsure where to find it.

Once paired, your Beats will reconnect automatically whenever they're powered on and in range of your phone. You don't have to pair them again unless you reset them or pair them with a different device.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on your Beats and hold the pairing button until the LED flashes, then select them from your phone's Bluetooth settings.
  • The pairing button location depends on your model—check the manual or the headphones themselves if you're not sure where it is.
  • After the first pairing, your Beats will reconnect automatically whenever they're powered on and nearby.
  • If your Beats don't appear in Bluetooth settings, make sure they're in pairing mode and that Bluetooth is turned on on your phone.
  • Resetting your Beats erases all paired devices, so only do this if you're having connection problems that won't go away.

Where to find the pairing button on different Beats models

The pairing button is in a different spot depending on which Beats you own. On Beats Studio Pro and Beats Solo Pro, press and hold the power button on the back of the right ear cup for about 15 seconds until you see the LED flash white and red. On Beats Fit Pro, hold the button on the back of the charging case for about 10 seconds. On Beats Studio3 and older over-ear models, the button is usually on the back of one ear cup as well.

For AirPods (which are made by Apple but sold under the Beats brand in some regions), hold the button on the back of the charging case until the LED inside flashes white. For Beats Pill speakers, hold the power button on top of the device. If you're not sure which button to press, the manual that came with your headphones will show you exactly where it is, or you can search the model name plus "pairing button" online.

Pairing Beats with iPhone, Android, or other devices

The pairing process is nearly identical on iPhone and Android phones. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, make sure it's turned on, then wait for your Beats to appear in the list of available devices. Tap the name of your Beats, and the phone will show "Connecting" and then "Connected." On Android, open Settings, go to Bluetooth or Connected Devices, turn Bluetooth on if it's off, and tap your Beats when they appear.

If you own both an iPhone and an iPad, your Beats will pair with whichever device you use first after putting them in pairing mode. To switch them to a different Apple device, go to Bluetooth settings on that device and tap your Beats. If you want to pair your Beats with an Android phone and an iPhone, you'll need to put them back into pairing mode each time you switch between the two.

What to do if your Beats won't show up in Bluetooth settings

If your Beats don't appear when you open Bluetooth settings, start by making sure Bluetooth is actually turned on on your phone. On iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner and tap the Bluetooth icon. On Android, swipe down twice from the top and look for Bluetooth in the quick settings menu. If Bluetooth is already on, turn it off and back on again.

Next, make sure your Beats are in pairing mode. The LED should be flashing—if it's solid or off, hold the pairing button again. If your Beats are still not showing up, try moving them closer to your phone and away from other wireless devices like routers or microwaves, which can interfere with Bluetooth. If nothing works, try resetting your Beats by holding the pairing button for 15 to 20 seconds until the LED flashes a different color, then put them back into pairing mode.

How to forget and re-pair your Beats

If your Beats are already paired to your phone but won't connect, you can forget them and pair again. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, find your Beats in the list, tap the info icon next to them, and select "Forget This Device." On Android, go to Settings, find Bluetooth or Connected Devices, long-press your Beats, and tap "Forget" or "Unpair." After you forget them, put your Beats back into pairing mode and pair them again as if it were the first time.

Forgetting and re-pairing fixes most connection problems. If your Beats still won't stay connected after you re-pair them, the issue might be with your phone's Bluetooth radio or with the Beats themselves. Try pairing them with a different phone or device to see if the problem follows the Beats or stays with your original phone.

Resetting your Beats to factory settings

A factory reset erases all paired devices from your Beats and restores them to their original state. Only do this if you're having persistent connection problems or if you're selling or giving away your Beats. On most Beats models, hold the power button and the pairing button at the same time for 15 to 20 seconds until the LED flashes red and white. On AirPods, hold the button on the back of the case for 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber and white.

After a reset, your Beats will be in pairing mode and ready to connect to a phone as if they were brand new. You'll need to pair them again with your phone using the steps described earlier in this guide. If you reset your Beats by mistake, you can simply pair them again—nothing is lost except the memory of which devices they were previously connected to.

Troubleshooting audio problems after pairing

If your Beats are paired but you're not hearing sound, first check that the volume on your Beats is turned up. Most Beats have a volume button or slider on the ear cup or case. Next, check that the volume on your phone is also turned up and that you haven't accidentally muted the phone. On iPhone, check the mute switch on the side of the phone; on Android, press the volume up button.

If you're hearing sound but it's very quiet or distorted, try moving closer to your phone or away from obstacles like walls or metal objects. Bluetooth has a range of about 30 feet in open space, but walls and interference can reduce that. If the audio is still poor, try forgetting and re-pairing your Beats. If one earbud isn't producing sound, make sure both earbuds are charged and that they're both in the case or both being worn—some Beats models disable one earbud if it's not being used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pair my Beats with more than one phone at the same time?

No, your Beats can only be actively connected to one device at a time. However, they can be paired with multiple devices, and you can switch between them. Once your Beats are paired with a phone, they'll remember that pairing. To use them with a different phone, just put them in pairing mode again and pair with the second phone. When you want to switch back, turn off Bluetooth on the second phone and turn it on on the first phone.

Why do my Beats keep disconnecting from my phone?

Disconnections usually happen because of interference from other wireless devices, low battery on your Beats, or a problem with your phone's Bluetooth radio. Charge your Beats fully, move away from routers and microwaves, and try forgetting and re-pairing them. If disconnections continue, try pairing your Beats with a different phone to see if the problem is with your original phone or with the Beats themselves.

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

No. Once you pair your Beats with your phone, they'll reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and they're in range. You only need to pair them once, unless you reset them, pair them with a different device, or have a connection problem that requires re-pairing.

What's the difference between pairing and connecting?

Pairing is the first-time setup where your Beats and phone exchange information and remember each other. Connecting is what happens automatically after that—your Beats turn on, find your phone, and establish a Bluetooth link. You pair once; you connect every time you use them.

Can I pair Beats that came with my phone to a different phone?

Yes. Even if your Beats came with your iPhone or Android phone, you can pair them with any other phone or device that has Bluetooth. Just put them in pairing mode and follow the same steps you would for any other Beats model. They'll work with any brand of phone, not just the one they came with.