How to Pair Bose Headphones — A Beginner’s Guide

I just love listening to music via my new Bose headphones.

I can connect it via Bluetooth to any device, whether it is my iPad, iPhone, or Mac PC.

(Hint: If you are wondering if you can connect your Bose headphones to Android devices and non-OS PCs, you can and this guide will help you!)

The Bluetooth option is a godsend. I don’t have to worry about cables, or when something distracts me during my umpteenth Zoom meeting, that my cable will unplug and chaos will ensue as I try to get it plugged back into the jack with no one in the meeting noticing.

If you are wondering how to pair your Bose headphones to your device, read on!

How Do You Pair Your Bose Headphones?

In general, you first switch on the Bluetooth function on your device before switching on your Bose headphones. Next, hold the Power/Bluetooth button on your headphones to make the device discoverable. Click or tap on the name of your Bose headphones so the two devices can connect.

Guide to Pair Your Bose Headphones to Different Devices

Use this step-by-step guide to help you connect your Bose headphones to various devices:

1. Bose Headphones > Windows Computer

To pair your Bose headphones with a Windows 10 PC, follow these steps:

• Find the square icon in the bottom right corner of your PC screen. Access the Windows Action Center by tapping on it.
• Find the Bluetooth tile and turn it on. If Bluetooth is on, it will be highlighted.
• Right-click on the Bluetooth tile. Choose “Go to Settings” from the pop-up menu that appears on your screen.
• Click on “Add Bluetooth or other device.” This is denoted by the plus sign in a square box.
• On the “Add a device” menu, tap “Bluetooth.”
• Switch on your Bose headphones and make it discoverable by holding the Power/Bluetooth button for about 3 seconds.
• Once your Bose headphones appear on the device list, click on it.
• You’ll see a notification like “Your device is ready to go!” to let you know the pairing was successful.

2. Bose Headphones > Mac Computer

To pair your Bose headphones with a Mac PC, follow these steps:

• Switch on your Mac and make sure the Bluetooth functionality is turned on.

You’ll find in the top-right menu on your screen the Bluetooth icon; click on it and click on “Bluetooth: On.”

If the icon isn’t in this top menu bar, go to System Preferences, click on Bluetooth, and turn Bluetooth on.

Enable the “Show Bluetooth in the menu bar” for quick access next time.

• Power on your Bose headphones.
• Hold the Bluetooth button on the headphones to make the device discoverable.
• If you click on Bluetooth in the top right menu bar, then your Bose device should list under “Devices.”
• Click on it, and your headphones should now be paired with your Mac via Bluetooth.

3. Bose Headphones > Android Smartphone

To pair your Bose headphones with an Android smart device, follow these steps (they may be slightly different depending on your device and generation, but these steps should guide you well enough):

• You can either use the dropdown menu on your phone or use the Android Menu.
• For the dropdown menu, swipe down from the top of your phone screen to access this menu.
  • Find the Bluetooth icon.
• Otherwise, from the Android Menu, go to “Settings” from the Apps menu.
  • Choose “Bluetooth”; however, you may need to choose “Connections” first.
• From either the dropdown menu or from Settings option, now follow these steps:
  • Enable Bluetooth to be “on.”
  • Press the Bluetooth or Power button on your Bose headphones for about 3 seconds so it can become discoverable.
  • On your phone, your headphones should list under “Available Devices.”
  • Tap on the device you want your phone to pair with; in this case, it will be your Bose headphones.
  • Your phone may request a passkey; enter it (you can find it in your phone’s manual). If it doesn’t ask for a passkey, then your phone will pair with your headphones.

4. Bose Headphones > iOS Smartphone

To pair your Bose headphones with an Apple smartphone, follow these steps:

• Use the swipe up menu from the home or locked screen or go to “Settings.”
• On the swipe up menu (or Control Center menu), click on the Bluetooth icon so it is on. It should be blue. And from “Settings,” go to “Bluetooth” and swipe the on/off button so it is green, indicating it is on.
• Now, press the Bluetooth/Power button on your Bose headphones for a few seconds so it can switch on its pairing mode.
• Under My Devices (from the “Settings” step), your Bose headphones should list and it should say “Connected.” From the Control Center, a pop-up menu should appear to ask if you want to pair your Bose Headphones. Confirm the pairing.

5. Use the Bose Connect App

To pair your Bose headphones with a device with the Bose Connect app, follow these steps:

• Download the Bose Connect app from the App store for your iOS device or the Google Play Store for your Android device.
• Open the app, and search “Connections.”
• If you’re pairing your headphones for the first time, tap on “Connect New.”
• Switch your headphones on by pressing its Power button and hold it in for a few seconds to turn the pairing mode on.
• Your Bose headphones should show up in the app. Click on the name of your headphones.
• Your Bose headphones should connect to your iOS or Android device. You’ll see in the app that it will “Connect to [name of your Bose headphones].”

This app can also be used when disconnecting the device or simply powering off your headphones.

To reconnect your Bose headphones, go to “History” under “Connections.”

Find the name of your Bose headphones and tap it for smartphone pairing.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Pair Bose Headphones

How do you reset Bose Bluetooth headphones?

To reset your Bose Bluetooth headphones, power on the headset. Then, for about 10 seconds, press and hold the Bluetooth/Power button that you can find on the right ear’s headphones. There should be a ping that will let you know your device has been reset.

How do I make my Bose discoverable?

To make your Bose headphones discoverable, hold the Bluetooth button for at least 3 seconds. Your device is discoverable (that is, pairing mode is on) when the light on this button blinks on and off.

 

The Final Pair

Easy right?

You have a few extra steps if you are connecting your Bose headphones to a device for the first time, but each subsequent connection is easier as your device remembers your Bose Headphones.

In some cases, it will even automatically pair with your Bose headphones if there are no other conflicting Bluetooth devices nearby.

Happy pairing!