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How Do You Pair Wireless Earbuds With a Phone or Computer?

Put your earbuds in pairing mode, select them in Bluetooth settings, and check the audio output. Follow these platform-specific steps for phones and computers.
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To hook up wireless earbuds, put them in pairing mode, open Bluetooth settings on your phone or computer, and select the earbuds from the available-device list. The pairing gesture varies by model, so check the earbuds’ manual if you are unsure how to make them discoverable.

Before you pair

  • Charge the earbuds and their case, if applicable.
  • Keep the earbuds close to the phone or computer during setup.
  • Use the manufacturer’s instructions to enter pairing or discovery mode. Some earbuds enter it when removed from the case; others require a button or touch gesture.
  • If the earbuds are connected to another nearby device, disconnect them there or follow the manufacturer’s steps for pairing with an additional device.

Connect earbuds to an iPhone

  1. Open Settings and tap Bluetooth.
  2. Turn Bluetooth on.
  3. Put the earbuds in pairing mode.
  4. Tap the earbuds’ name when it appears, then follow any passcode prompt.
  5. Play audio to confirm it is coming through the earbuds.

Apple says the iPhone should be within about 33 feet (10 meters) of the Bluetooth accessory during pairing. If the earbuds do not appear, check their manual for the correct discovery-mode steps. Apple’s iPhone Bluetooth guide.

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Connect earbuds to an Android phone

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen and touch and hold Bluetooth, or open Bluetooth in the phone’s settings.
  2. Choose Pair new device. Depending on the phone, the option may instead be labeled Available devices or appear with a refresh control.
  3. Put the earbuds in pairing mode.
  4. Select the earbuds and follow the on-screen prompts.

For supported earbuds and phones, Google Fast Pair may show a connection prompt when you open the earbud case. Fast Pair is optional and requires compatible devices. Android menu names can differ by manufacturer and version. Google’s Android Bluetooth instructions.

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Connect earbuds to a Windows PC

  1. Confirm that the PC has Bluetooth and turn it on. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices or use Bluetooth in Quick Settings. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
  2. Put the earbuds in pairing mode.
  3. In Windows 11, open the Bluetooth quick-setting menu, manage Bluetooth devices, and select the earbuds under new devices. In Windows 10, select Add Bluetooth or other device, choose Bluetooth, and select the earbuds.
  4. Follow any prompts and select Done if shown.
  5. If Windows says the earbuds are connected but sound still comes from the PC, select the earbuds as the sound output device.

Swift Pair can simplify setup when both the PC and earbuds support it. Microsoft says most Windows devices include Bluetooth; a USB Bluetooth adapter can add support to a PC that does not. Microsoft’s Windows pairing guide. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025.

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Connect earbuds to a Mac

For third-party earbuds, use the manufacturer’s instructions to enter pairing mode, then open Bluetooth settings on the Mac and select the earbuds. The exact pairing gesture depends on the model.

Pair AirPods

AirPods set up with an iPhone may connect to a Mac signed in to the same Apple Account. Otherwise, open System Settings > Bluetooth, turn Bluetooth on, put the AirPods in pairing mode according to their model instructions, and select Connect. AirPods can also work as a Bluetooth headset with non-Apple devices, but Siri is unavailable there. Apple’s instructions for connecting AirPods to a Mac and using AirPods with a non-Apple device.

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Choose the Mac’s audio output

If audio still plays through the Mac speakers after pairing, select the earbuds in the Mac’s sound output controls. Apple’s guide to choosing a sound output device.

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Pairing for the first time versus reconnecting

Pairing usually saves the earbuds in the device’s Bluetooth settings. After the first pairing, they may reconnect automatically when Bluetooth is on and they are nearby; if they do not, select them from the saved-device list. Google notes that a Bluetooth device may connect automatically after its first pairing, but this is not a guarantee for every earbud or platform. Google’s Android Bluetooth instructions.

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Troubleshoot earbuds that will not connect

The earbuds do not appear in the list

  • Check that the earbuds are charged, turned on, nearby, and in pairing mode.
  • Confirm they are not still connected to another phone or computer.
  • Check the model manual for the specific pairing gesture; there is no single button sequence that applies to all earbuds.

The earbuds appear but will not pair

  • Turn Bluetooth off and back on, restart the earbuds, and try again.
  • On Windows, remove the earbuds from Bluetooth settings and add them again. Microsoft also identifies pairing mode, range, low battery, and configuration as possible causes. Microsoft’s Windows Bluetooth troubleshooting guide.

The device says connected, but there is no sound

Choose the earbuds as the active audio output on the computer, or check the phone’s audio-output selection. On a Mac, select the earbuds in sound output controls.

The earbuds connect to the wrong device

Disconnect them from the other device, then select them from the Bluetooth settings of the phone or computer you want to use. Whether earbuds can stay connected to multiple devices at once depends on the model.

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The Windows PC has no Bluetooth option

Check whether the PC supports Bluetooth. If it does not, Microsoft says a USB Bluetooth adapter can add it; an adapter is not necessary for a PC that already has Bluetooth.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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