To pair Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, put the headset into Bluetooth discoverable mode, then select it in your phone or computer’s Bluetooth menu. The exact button behavior depends on whether you have the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), sold since 2025, or the first-generation model. Bose changed some voice prompts before February 2026, so a remembered prompt such as “Ready to Connect” is not a reliable generation-independent test.
The detailed button sequence and operating-system paths below are for the 2nd Gen unless a section explicitly says it applies to the first generation. If your controls, lights, or prompts do not match, identify the generation before trying a reset or another model’s instructions.
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Before you start: identify the generation
Bose’s current detailed pairing page covers the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), which has been sold since 2025. The page also notes that voice prompts changed before February 2026. That means two genuine QuietComfort Ultra headsets can announce different messages while entering pairing mode.
Do not assume that a first-generation button sequence, charging rule, or reset procedure applies to 2nd Gen. The first-generation support articles are useful for specific troubleshooting points, but they are not proof that every control works identically on both versions.
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- BREAKTHROUGH SPATIALIZED AUDIO: Super immersive sound spatializes everything, taking the music out of your head and placing it in front of you to push the boundaries of listening.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- USB VOICE: Use the built-in mic to enjoy high-quality two-way communication for phone calls and video conferencing while connected via USB-C.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
What the 2nd Gen confirmation looks like
- After you hold the Bluetooth/Power button long enough, the headphones play a discoverable tone.
- The status light blinks blue while the headset is available to pair.
- After a successful connection, Bose says the headset plays a “Connected” tone and the status light remains solid blue for 10 seconds.
Generation differences that matter during setup
| Detail | 2nd Gen | First generation |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed pairing sequence in this guide | Hold Bluetooth/Power through the power-off tone and two white flashes until the discoverable tone and blue blinking light | Use the first-generation support page for the exact button sequence |
| Voice prompts | Bose says prompts changed before February 2026 | May use different wording |
| Saved and active connections | Up to eight saved devices and two active connections | Use the first-generation multipoint instructions for model-specific controls |
| Charging behavior | Confirm on the 2nd Gen support page | Bose says Bluetooth is disabled while charging from a charger or powered USB jack |
If you are unsure which version you own, check the product name in the Bose app and match the physical controls and support page before following generation-specific troubleshooting.
Put QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) in pairing mode
- Turn the headphones on.
- Press and hold the Bluetooth/Power button. Keep holding after the power-off tone and after the two white status-light blinks.
- Release the button only when you hear the discoverable tone and see the status light blinking blue.
- On the phone or computer you want to use, open Bluetooth settings, enable Bluetooth, and select the Bose headphones from the available-device list.
The name in the list may be the default Bose name or a custom name you previously assigned in the Bose app. If you stop holding the button at the first tone or before the blue blink, the headphones may simply turn off instead of becoming discoverable.
Use the Bose app as an alternate route
If the headset is already connected to the Bose app, open the app and choose Source > Bluetooth > Add New. This makes the 2nd Gen headphones available to a Bluetooth device. You still finish the process by selecting the headset in the phone or computer’s Bluetooth list. The app is optional; you do not need it to complete ordinary Bluetooth pairing.
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Pair with an iPhone
- Put the 2nd Gen headphones into discoverable mode using the Bluetooth/Power button sequence above.
- On the iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth.
- Turn Bluetooth on if it is off.
- Wait for the Bose headphones to appear under the available devices list, then tap their name.
- Wait for the “Connected” tone and the temporary solid-blue light confirmation.
If you renamed the headset in the Bose app, look for that custom name rather than the default Bose listing. If the name never appears, leave the Bluetooth screen open while repeating the button sequence and hold the button until the blue light is visibly blinking.
Connect to an Android phone
- Place the headphones in discoverable mode: hold the Bluetooth/Power button through the power-off tone and white flashes until the discoverable tone and blinking blue light occur.
- Open your phone’s Bluetooth settings. Android manufacturers use different labels and locations, so the menu might be under Settings > Connected devices, Connections, or a similarly named section.
- Enable Bluetooth.
- Tap the Bose headphones in the available-device list. Choose the custom name if you changed it in the Bose app.
Bose’s support instructions provide the general Android Bluetooth route rather than a separate menu path for every phone manufacturer. The important controls are the same: Bluetooth must be on, and the headset must be actively discoverable when you select it.
Pair with a Windows computer
Windows 11
- Put the headphones into discoverable mode and keep them nearby.
- Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- Turn Bluetooth on.
- Choose Add device > Bluetooth.
- Select the Bose headphones from the results and choose Done when Windows finishes.
Windows 10
- Hold the Bluetooth/Power button until the 2nd Gen discoverable tone sounds and the light blinks blue.
- Open Bluetooth settings and turn Bluetooth on.
- Choose Add Bluetooth or other device > Bluetooth.
- Select the Bose headphones, then choose Done.
Choose the correct Windows listing
Windows can show two Bose entries, including one beginning with LE-. Bose says to choose the entry with the headphones or speaker icon, not the LE listing. If you selected the LE entry, remove it from Bluetooth devices, start the add-device process again, and select the other Bose entry. Choosing the wrong entry can leave the headset listed without usable audio.
Pair with a Mac
- Put the headphones into discoverable mode.
- Enable Bluetooth from the macOS Bluetooth menu or from System Settings.
- Find the Bose product in the device list and choose Pair.
- Wait for the connected tone before playing audio.
Bose documents macOS 10.9.2 or newer. Older Bose instructions may call the control Bluetooth Preferences; current macOS versions use System Settings and may show slightly different labels. The function is unchanged: enable Bluetooth, locate the headset, and choose Pair.
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- BREAKTHROUGH SPATIALIZED AUDIO: Super immersive sound spatializes everything, taking the music out of your head and placing it in front of you to push the boundaries of listening.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- USB VOICE: Use the built-in mic to enjoy high-quality two-way communication for phone calls and video conferencing while connected via USB-C.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
Pair with a Chromebook
- Put the headphones into discoverable mode until the blue status light blinks.
- Open the Chromebook’s clock and status area.
- Choose Bluetooth and turn it on.
- Select the Bose headphones from the available devices.
If the Chromebook shows a custom name, select that name. If no Bose entry appears, close the Bluetooth panel, repeat the discoverable-mode sequence, and open the panel again.
How many devices can the headphones remember?
Bose’s current 2nd Gen support page, available in 2026, says the headphones can store up to eight devices in their saved-device list and actively connect to two devices at a time. Audio plays from only one connected device at a time. A second connected device can remain ready for calls or for switching playback.
| Capability | QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Saved Bluetooth devices | Up to eight | Figure stated on Bose’s current support page; accessed October 13, 2026. |
| Active Bluetooth connections | Two | Both can remain connected, but only one device plays audio at a time. |
| Audio playback | One device at a time | Pause audio on one device before expecting the other to play. |
| First-generation multipoint controls | Documented separately | Do not assume first-generation switching instructions apply to 2nd Gen without confirming the model. |
Switch playback between two connected devices
Bose’s first-generation multiple-connection guidance says to pause audio on the first mobile device and start playback on the second. Calls can arrive from both connected devices regardless of which one is playing audio. Because that guidance is explicitly for the first generation, treat it as a model-specific instruction rather than a universal promise about every QuietComfort Ultra revision.
On the first-generation headset, the Bose app includes Settings > Bluetooth Connections, where you can turn Multi-point connection off. Turning it off disconnects the secondary device. Confirm the generation before changing this setting.
Why the Bose headphones do not appear in Bluetooth
1. Pairing mode was not held long enough
The most common 2nd Gen mistake is releasing the Bluetooth/Power button at the power-off tone or after the two white flashes. Continue holding until the discoverable tone sounds and the status light blinks blue. The headset is not available for selection before that point.
2. Bluetooth is off on the phone or computer
Open the target device’s Bluetooth settings and verify the switch is on. Keep that screen visible while you put the headphones into discoverable mode so you can select the Bose entry as soon as it appears.
3. You are looking for the wrong name
The Bose app can rename the headphones. Search for that custom name as well as the default Bose name. On Windows, look specifically for the headphones or speaker icon entry and avoid the one beginning with LE-.
Rank #3
- BREAKTHROUGH SPATIALIZED AUDIO: Super immersive sound spatializes everything, taking the music out of your head and placing it in front of you to push the boundaries of listening.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- USB VOICE: Use the built-in mic to enjoy high-quality two-way communication for phone calls and video conferencing while connected via USB-C.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
4. Another device has taken the connection
If the headset is already connected to a nearby phone, tablet, or computer, pause its audio and temporarily disable Bluetooth on that device. Then repeat discoverable mode and select the headset from the new target device.
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Fix a connection that was paired but will not work
Remove stale and duplicate Bluetooth entries
- Open the Bluetooth settings on the phone or computer that is failing.
- Forget or remove every saved Bose QuietComfort Ultra entry, including duplicate LE- entries on Windows.
- Turn Bluetooth off, wait briefly, and turn it back on.
- Put the headphones into discoverable mode again and pair them as a new device.
Bose’s troubleshooting guidance also recommends clearing the headset’s previous-device memory when an old connection continues to interfere. Use the reset or clear-memory procedure on the support page for your exact generation; do not apply a button-and-cable sequence copied from a different model.
Move closer and remove radio obstacles
The first-generation Bose troubleshooting article gives a nominal range of 33 feet (10 meters). Walls, doors, and other electronics can reduce that distance. For a failing connection, place the headphones and source device in the same room, move them closer, and reduce physical or electronic obstacles. This range figure is from the first-generation support material and should not be treated as a guaranteed distance for every environment or revision.
Check whether charging is blocking Bluetooth
Bose says first-generation QuietComfort Ultra Headphones disable Bluetooth while connected to a charger or powered USB jack. If you have the first-generation model, disconnect the charging cable once the headset has enough power, then try pairing again. The cited charging behavior is generation-specific; verify your model before using it as a 2nd Gen diagnosis.
Stop Windows from powering down its Bluetooth adapter
If Windows repeatedly drops the connection, inspect the Bluetooth adapter’s power-management setting. In Device Manager, open the Bluetooth adapter’s properties and look for the power-management option that lets Windows turn the device off to save power. Disable that option, apply the change, restart Bluetooth, and test again. Exact tab names can vary by adapter driver and Windows build.
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- Turn Bluetooth off on the phone or computer.
- Power the headphones off, then turn them on again.
- Restart the phone or computer if the Bluetooth service still behaves erratically.
- Enable Bluetooth, place the headset in discoverable mode, and pair again.
Bose’s reset directions vary by generation. If restarting does not help, open the support instructions for the exact QuietComfort Ultra generation and follow that model’s reset sequence rather than guessing.
A practical pairing checklist
- Confirm whether the headset is first generation or 2nd Gen.
- For 2nd Gen, hold Bluetooth/Power past the power-off tone and white flashes until the discoverable tone and blinking blue light.
- Enable Bluetooth on the device you want to connect.
- Select the name shown in the Bose app, or the default Bose name if it was never renamed.
- On Windows, choose the headphones or speaker icon and not the LE- entry.
- If the headset was previously paired, remove stale and duplicate entries before trying again.
- For first-generation troubleshooting, disconnect the charging cable, stay within about 33 feet (10 meters), and reduce walls or electronic interference.
- Use only the reset procedure for the confirmed generation.
What successful pairing should tell you
On 2nd Gen, the discoverable tone and blinking blue status light confirm that the headphones are ready to be selected. After pairing, the “Connected” tone and a solid blue light for 10 seconds confirm the connection. The headset can remember up to eight devices and maintain two active Bluetooth connections, but playback remains limited to one device at a time.
Rank #4
- BREAKTHROUGH SPATIALIZED AUDIO: Super immersive sound spatializes everything, taking the music out of your head and placing it in front of you to push the boundaries of listening.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
- USB VOICE: Use the built-in mic to enjoy high-quality two-way communication for phone calls and video conferencing while connected via USB-C.
- ENHANCED LONG-LASTING BATTERY: Up to 30 hours of play time (23 with Immersive Audio)* keeps the music playing through even the longest listening sessions. Charge your headphones with the included USB-C cord and listen to music at the same time.
Common setup questions
Do I need the Bose app to pair the headphones?
No. Put the headphones in discoverable mode and select them from the phone or computer’s Bluetooth settings. The Bose app is an optional alternate route through Source > Bluetooth > Add New on 2nd Gen and can also show a custom device name.
Why do I hear a power-off tone while trying to pair?
On 2nd Gen, you may have released the Bluetooth/Power button too soon. Keep holding after the power-off tone and the two white status-light flashes. Release only after the discoverable tone sounds and the light blinks blue.
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Bose changed voice prompts before February 2026, and first-generation and 2nd Gen instructions are not interchangeable. Use the light behavior, product name in the Bose app, and the support page for the confirmed generation instead of relying on one remembered phrase.
Why does Windows show an LE- entry and a regular Bose entry?
Select the Bose listing with the headphones or speaker icon. The LE- listing is not the entry Bose tells you to use for normal audio. If you chose it already, remove it and repeat Add device, selecting the other entry.
Can two phones stay connected at once?
The 2nd Gen support page says up to two Bluetooth devices can be actively connected, with audio playing from only one at a time. The headset can store up to eight devices. First-generation switching and the Multi-point connection control are documented separately, so confirm the generation before applying those steps.
How far away can I use the headphones?
Bose’s first-generation troubleshooting article gives a nominal 33-foot (10-meter) range. Walls, doors, and nearby electronics can shorten it. For dropouts, test with both devices close together in the same room; do not treat 33 feet as a guaranteed distance in every environment.
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Can I pair while the headphones are charging?
Bose specifically says first-generation QuietComfort Ultra Headphones disable Bluetooth when connected to a charger or powered USB jack. Disconnect the cable before pairing that model. Verify the generation before applying this charging diagnosis to 2nd Gen.
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- BREAKTHROUGH SPATIALIZED AUDIO: Super immersive sound spatializes everything, taking the music out of your head and placing it in front of you to push the boundaries of listening.
- NOISE CANCELLING HEADPHONES: Enjoy Bose’s best noise cancellation for headphones with Quiet Mode, turn on Aware Mode to hear more of your surroundings, or combine noise cancellation and Bose Immersive Audio with Immersion Mode.
- NEW CINEMA MODE: Bring video content to life like never before with Cinema Mode; spatialize and balance background sound and sound effects for movie-like immersion wherever you go.
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What should I do if pairing worked yesterday but fails now?
Remove the saved Bose entry and any duplicate LE- entry, toggle Bluetooth off and on, then put the headset back into discoverable mode. If the problem continues, clear previous-device memory using the instructions for your exact generation, move within about 33 feet, and check Windows Bluetooth power-management settings if applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pair Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones with my iPhone?
Hold the 2nd Gen Bluetooth/Power button through the power-off tone and white flashes until the discoverable tone and blinking blue light. On iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth, turn Bluetooth on, and tap the Bose name.
How do I connect Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones to Android?
Put the 2nd Gen headset in discoverable mode, open your Android phone’s Bluetooth settings, enable Bluetooth, and select the Bose listing. Menu names vary by manufacturer.
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For 2nd Gen, hold Bluetooth/Power until after the power-off tone and two white flashes. Release only when the discoverable tone sounds and the status light blinks blue.
Why won’t my Bose headphones show up in Bluetooth?
Confirm Bluetooth is enabled on the target device, hold the headset button until the blue light blinks, and look for any custom name assigned in the Bose app. On Windows, choose the headphones or speaker icon entry rather than an LE- listing.
How many devices can QuietComfort Ultra Headphones remember?
Bose says the 2nd Gen model stores up to eight devices and actively connects to two at once. Audio plays from one connected device at a time.
Why do the pairing instructions differ from what my headphones say?
Generation matters. Bose changed voice prompts before February 2026, and first-generation controls and charging behavior should not automatically be applied to 2nd Gen.
The Bottom Line
For QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), hold Bluetooth/Power until the discoverable tone and blinking blue light, then select the Bose name in your device’s Bluetooth settings. Use the headphones or speaker icon on Windows, remove stale entries when necessary, and confirm the generation before using first-generation charging, multipoint, range, or reset advice.
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