Tech

How to pair Bose Bluetooth headphones with any device


Musicians wear Bose 700 Wireless Headphones in the subway

Bose

A new pair of Bose headphones promise to block out the outside world and immerse yourself in your favorite music, podcasts or audiobooks.

Personally, I can say that Bose makes listening easy, but the pairing and connection process is a bit worse.

To avoid pairing frustrations and skip the audio right away, we’ve broken down the easiest ways to pair your Bose headphones with any device you want.

Also: The best noise-cancelling headphones

Let’s go into it.

To put Bose headphones in pairing mode

In order for your device to recognize your Bose headphones, go to your device’s settings – usually represented by a gear icon – and make sure the Bluetooth function is turned on.

The key to activating Bose’s pairing mode is a small switch or button that’s the same color as the hardware.

Over-ear models, like Quiet Comfortable 45s, there will be a switch on the ear cuffs. Slide the switch to the “on” position until the blue light starts flashing blue.

For earbuds, like QuietComfort II in-ear headphones, the button is on the back of the case. Press down the button for about 2 seconds. Release the button when you see the blue light flashing slowly.

On both in-ear and on-ear models, a blue light indicates that you’ve activated Bose’s Bluetooth capabilities and your headphones are ready to pair.

If your ear is already in your ear, you will also hear a voice saying: “Ready to pair”.

After pressing the button on the back of the QuietComfort II bud charging case for a few seconds, the light flashes slowly in blue, indicating that the bud is ready to connect to my device.

Christina Darby/ZDNET

Once the light starts flashing, release the button and view the Bluetooth devices menu in your phone, tablet or computer’s settings, or in the Bose Music app. Your Bose headphones will appear as a connection option in the Bluetooth devices menu.

Tap the Bose option and place the headset on or in your ear.

Next, don’t be startled like a certain ZDNET editor is her first time pairing her Bose headphones. To signal a connection, the headset emits a buzzing sound, followed by the robot’s voice notifying you of a successful connection and an updated battery level.

Luckily, the robot’s voice hasn’t signaled a Terminator-style takeover (yet), but only that your headphones are connected and ready to listen.

How to pair Bose headphones with iPhone

To make sure the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone are turned on, go to Settings (gear icon), select the Bluetooth option, and make sure that the Bluetooth switch at the top is turned on (it shows in green).

You can also swipe down from the top-right corner of the home screen and tap the Bluetooth on button for quick access.

To quickly make sure your Bluetooth is on, swipe down in the upper-right corner of your iOS device’s home screen and select the Bluetooth quick toggle.

Christina Darby/ZDNET

Press and hold the button on the case of your Bose earbuds, or slide the button on the cuff of your over-ear headphones. Wait for the blue flashing light to flash and release the button.

Bose headphones will appear as a device connection option in the Bluetooth menu. Put the headphones in your ears or the over-ear case and select a Bose device. You may have to wait while the phone caches, but a robotic voice will let you know “Connection successful” and issue a battery percentage update once the pairing is complete .

The same procedure applies to connecting to an iPad or other iOS device.

Screenshot of the Bluetooth settings menu on an iPhone with a red arrow pointing to the device to connect: Bose QC Buds II

Under the “Other devices” option in your iPhone’s Bluetooth menu, you’ll see your Bose headphones pop up. Click on the name to end the connection process.

Screenshots of Christina Darby/ZDNET

How to pair Bose headphones with a Mac

The process of pairing Bose headphones with a Mac is quite intuitive. In the dock of your Mac, select the System Preferences (gear) icon. From here, select the Bluetooth option and make sure that the Bluetooth setting is turned on so that your headset can recognize your computer as the connection point.

The red circle indicates where to find the Bluetooth icon in your Mac's System preferences.

Screenshots of Christina Darby/ZDNET

Keep the Bluetooth settings open when you pair the headset by pressing and holding the connect button on the headset or by toggling the Bluetooth switch on the headset until you see a blue light.

Your Mac will recognize your headphones and your Bose device name will pop up as a device option. Put the headset on or put it on your ear and select the Connect button.

Also: How to quickly connect laptop to TV

After a successful connection, you will hear the robot’s voice indicating that the connection was successful and all listening is pending.

The MacBook's Bluetooth settings menu with red arrows pointing to the Bluetooth connection option and the headset connection button.

To connect your Bose headphones to your Mac, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and press the Connect button next to your device’s name.

Screenshots of Christina Darby/ZDNET

How to pair Bose headphones with an Android device

On your Android device, swipe down on the home screen and select the gear icon in the top right corner. From there, select the Connect option and make sure that the Bluetooth switch (third option and below) is turned on.

You can also swipe down twice on the home screen and tap the Bluetooth quick toggle.

Screenshot of the settings menu of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 with red circles surrounding the gear and Bluetooth icons.

To access the full Bluetooth menu, select the gear icon in the upper right corner. If you just want to make sure Bluetooth is turned on, look at the widget in the quick settings interface.

Screenshots of Christina Darby/ZDNET

Select the Bluetooth option from the Connect menu. Then, press or slide the Bose connect button until you see the blue light begin to flash. It may take a few seconds, but you’ll eventually see the name of your Bose headphones pop up in the “Available devices” menu.

Select your headset, press the Pair button when your Android phone prompts you.

Wear headphones or cover them to hear the connection chime and headset battery percentage.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Bluetooth menu with red circle around "Pair" reminder.

To end the connection, select the Pair button when your Android phone prompts.

Screenshots of Christina Darby/ZDNET

How to pair Bose headphones with a PC

Find your settings menu on your PC, usually located in the toolbar. Make sure your Bluetooth settings are turned on so that your headphones can easily pair.

Just like when connecting the headset to other devices, press or turn on the connect button until it starts flashing blue.

In the Bluetooth menu, select “Add a device” or the equivalent invitation on your PC to connect a new device. Follow the connection prompts or prompts until you hear “Connected.”

Screenshot of Bluetooth settings on a PC with red indicators indicating key connection points.

Screenshot by Addison Murray/ZDNET

To pair Bose headphones using the Bose Music App

Available from both Apple App Store and Google Play app market store, the Bose Music app is a control center for your Bose devices. This app allows you to create a cool nickname for your headphones like “Earphoria”, adjust the EQ and quickly pair them.

Download the app to your iOS or Android device and set up an account.

Once you’ve created an account, select the “Set up a new product” option. From there, select the “Headphones and Frames” option from the settings menu.

Screenshot of the Bose Music App, inviting users to set up a new product.  A red arrow is pointing to the Headphones and Frames option.

The Bose Music app is an easy way to connect and control your headphones. When setting up your headset, make sure the app’s Headphones and Frames option is selected.

Screenshots of Christina Darby/ZDNET

Make sure your Bose headphones are charged, within range, and in pairing mode — the blue light is blinking — and the app will recognize your product, inviting you to connect.

Select the Connect button and wait a few seconds for the pairing process to complete.

The app interface will change from a “connect” screen to a widget that shows the make and model of your headphones, the battery percentage, and the device they’re connected to. Tap the widget to further adjust the EQ or switch between modes as you listen.

From here, all that’s left to do is put the headphones on or put them in your ears and listen to the sound.

Image of two Bose QC II headphones floating on a black background "Link" on the Bose Music app.  A red arrow is pointing to the Connect button.

Tap Connect to add your headphones to the Bose Music app library.

Screenshots of Christina Darby/ZDNET

Frequently asked questions

Where is the pairing button on Bose headphones?

Stealth camouflaged in hardware, the Bose pairing button is hard to find. For over-ear headphones, the pairing button is actually a switch located on the side of the earcup. As for the earbuds, the button is on the back of the charging case.

What should I do if the Bose App won’t connect?

If your Bose app won’t connect, here are some quick troubleshooting suggestions:

  • Clear the Bose Connect app cache
  • Enable Location Permissions
  • Check the app for updates
  • Manual connection via Bluetooth

Do my Bose headphones automatically connect to my devices after I pair them?

Unless you’ve paired your headphones with more than one device, your phone will recognize your Bose headphones and connect them automatically once you take them out of the box or turn them on and put them on.

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