Pairing Bluetooth headphones takes about a minute once you know the two steps: put the headphones into pairing mode, then pick them from the Bluetooth list on your computer or phone. The exact button to hold differs by model, so check the headphones manual if the steps below do not match.
Steps
Put the headphones into pairing mode. Turn the headphones off, then press and hold the power or Bluetooth button until a light blinks, usually blue and white, or a voice says pairing. On many models, holding the power button for about 5 seconds from off does this. If the headphones are already connected to your phone, turn the phone Bluetooth off first, or the headphones may reconnect to it instead.
On Windows 11, open Bluetooth settings. Open Settings, select Bluetooth and devices, then select Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, then select Add device, then Bluetooth.
On Windows 10, open Bluetooth settings. Open Settings, select Devices, then Bluetooth and other devices. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, then select Add Bluetooth or other device, then Bluetooth.
Select the headphones from the list. The headphones name should appear in the Add device window within a few seconds. Select it, wait for the Connected message, then select Done.
On iPhone, open Bluetooth settings. Open Settings, select Bluetooth, and make sure it is turned on. The headphones should appear under Other Devices. Tap the name, wait for Connected, and the headphones move to My Devices.
On Android, open Bluetooth settings. Open Settings, select Connected devices, then Pair new device, or select Connections, then Bluetooth, depending on the phone maker. Tap the headphones name in the list and wait for the paired message.
Check the sound is coming through the headphones. Play something, then check the volume and the output device. On Windows, select the speaker icon in the taskbar and make sure the headphones are the chosen output. On a phone, sound should switch automatically once connected.
If the headphones do not appear, reset the pairing. Put the headphones back into pairing mode, turn Bluetooth off and on again on the computer or phone, and try once more. If they were paired before, remove them first: in Bluetooth settings, select the headphones, then Remove device or Forget This Device, then pair again from scratch.
If the headphones connect but there is no sound, check the output device first. On Windows, the sound may still be set to the speakers even though the headphones show as connected.
What if the headphones connect to the wrong device?
Bluetooth headphones usually reconnect to the last device they were used with. Turn Bluetooth off on the device you do not want, or remove the headphones from that device Bluetooth list, then pair with the one you do want.
About this guide
This guide covers Windows 11, Windows 10, iPhone, and Android. The pairing button differs by headphones model, so the manual for your exact model is the final word on how to enter pairing mode.
Common questions
Why do my headphones not show up in the Bluetooth list? They are usually not in pairing mode, or they are already connected to another device. Put them into pairing mode again and turn Bluetooth off on nearby devices you do not want them to connect to.
Why do the headphones keep disconnecting? Low battery, being too far from the device, or interference from other wireless devices are the usual causes. Charge the headphones, move closer, and try again.
Can Bluetooth headphones connect to two devices at once? Some models support multipoint and can stay connected to two devices, such as a phone and a laptop. Others can only pair with one at a time. Check the manual for your model.
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