Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →To pair a Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker (2nd Gen), turn it on, hold its Bluetooth button until it says “Ready to connect” and the light blinks blue, then select the speaker in your phone or computer’s Bluetooth settings. The steps below cover first-time pairing, reconnecting a remembered device, using the Bose app or Android Fast Pair, selecting the correct Windows listing, and switching between two connected sources.
Bose identifies this model as the SoundLink Flex Portable Speaker (2nd Gen), sold from 2024. The speaker-side procedure is the same whether the source is an iPhone, Android phone, Windows laptop, or MacBook: put the speaker into Bluetooth discovery mode, choose its listing on the source device, and then confirm that the source is selected for audio output.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Before you start
Keep the speaker and the phone or laptop reasonably close while pairing. Turn on the speaker and make sure Bluetooth is enabled on the source device. You do not need a separate setup cable, adapter, replacement part, or repair tool for the Bluetooth procedure. Pairing uses the controls on the SoundLink Flex, the source device’s built-in Bluetooth settings, and optionally the Bose app.
Have the speaker’s exact listing in mind before opening the device list. If someone renamed the speaker in the Bose app, it may not appear under the default product name. A renamed speaker can still be selected in exactly the same way; only the name shown in the available-device list changes.
#1 Best Overall
- MUSIC CALLS: The Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) packs big, bold sound in a portable size that’s perfect for sharing tunes and good times anywhere on your travels
- SOUND THAT TAKES YOU PLACES: Take advantage of the surprisingly powerful performance of this Bose wireless speaker with its clear, balanced, high-fidelity audio and deep bass that is easy to take with you
- PERFECTLY PORTABLE, WITH BATTERY LIFE TO MATCH: This Bluetooth speaker is small enough to fit in your hand or clip onto a bag using the utility loop, plus it has up to 12 hours of battery life* so you can focus on the fun at the beach, hikes, or pool
- TOSS IT, DROP IT, IT’S ALL GOOD: This IP67 rated Bose portable Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and dustproof and is wrapped in a durable, silicone-wrapped body to withstand drops, shocks, and rust
- STEREO ON THE GO: Amp up the adventure with more sound when you link two compatible Bose speakers, choose Stereo Mode for left and right channels, or go for Party Mode for even bigger, bolder sound
For a first-time connection, use the full pairing sequence below. If this phone or computer was connected previously, skip to Reconnect a previously paired device. The speaker remembers up to six paired devices, so a source that has been used before may already be in its stored-device list.
Pair the speaker with an iPhone
- Turn on the SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen).
- Press and hold the speaker’s Bluetooth button. Keep holding it until the speaker says “Ready to connect.” At the same time, the Bluetooth indicator slowly blinks blue. That blue blink is the speaker-side confirmation that it is available for pairing.
- On the iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth. Leave this screen open while the phone scans for nearby devices.
- Look under the available-device list and tap the Bose speaker. If the speaker was renamed in the Bose app, select the renamed entry rather than looking only for the default product name.
- Wait for the iPhone to show the speaker as connected. The speaker may play a connection sound, and the Bluetooth indicator should stop showing the ready-to-pair behavior.
If the listing does not appear, return to the speaker and hold the Bluetooth button again until the blue light slowly blinks. Then close and reopen the iPhone’s Bluetooth screen or wait for the available-device list to refresh. The speaker must still be in pairing mode when the iPhone scans.
Pair through the Bose app
The Bose app provides another supported route. Open the app, choose Connect, select Source, and tap the plus sign beside Add new. When the app directs you to the phone’s Bluetooth settings, select the SoundLink Flex from that list. The app can also be used to manage the speaker’s multipoint setting after the connection is established.
The app is optional for ordinary Bluetooth pairing. You can complete the connection directly in iPhone Bluetooth settings using the speaker button and the steps above. The owner’s guide also lists Android Fast Pair, but that feature is relevant to compatible Android phones rather than iPhones.
Pair the speaker with an Android phone
- Turn on the speaker.
- Press and hold the Bluetooth button until “Ready to connect” is announced and the Bluetooth light slowly blinks blue.
- Open Bluetooth on the Android phone. Depending on the manufacturer and Android version, you can open Bluetooth from Quick Settings or go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth. Other Android phones may use slightly different wording, so use the Bluetooth control in the current settings interface.
- Wait for the available-device list to populate, then select the Bose speaker. If it has a custom name, choose that name.
- Wait for the phone to report that it is connected and, if enabled, listen for the speaker’s connection sound.
Some compatible Android phones can use Android Fast Pair. The owner’s guide lists it as an available pairing option. If a Fast Pair prompt appears, follow the phone’s on-screen instructions; otherwise, use the standard Bluetooth list and select the speaker manually.
If Android does not find the speaker, verify both sides of the process: Bluetooth must be enabled on the phone, and the speaker’s indicator must be slowly blinking blue. A speaker that is powered on but not in pairing mode may not appear as a new device. Hold the Bluetooth button again before scanning.
Pair the speaker with a Windows laptop
- Turn on the SoundLink Flex and hold its Bluetooth button until it says “Ready to connect” and the light blinks blue.
- Open the laptop’s Bluetooth settings and choose the control to add, discover, or pair a device. Microsoft changes the wording and layout between Windows versions, so use the Bluetooth settings available on the current laptop rather than relying on an older menu label.
- Let Windows scan for nearby devices and select the Bose speaker from the results.
- Wait for Windows to show the device as connected. If the speaker is paired but sound continues through the laptop’s built-in speakers, open the computer’s sound output controls and choose the Bose speaker.
The speaker-side steps do not change between Windows editions. The important computer-side tasks are to select the speaker’s audio Bluetooth entry and then make it the active output device when Windows does not switch automatically.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Windows 10 may show two Bose entries
Windows 10 can display two listings for the SoundLink Flex. Bose instructs users to choose the entry with a headphones or speaker icon. Do not choose the listing marked LE for normal speaker audio. The LE entry is not the audio device listing Bose identifies for this connection.
If you already selected the LE entry, pair or connect again and choose the headphones-or-speaker-icon listing instead. Seeing a duplicate entry does not mean the speaker needs a different accessory or a cable; it means you must select the correct Bluetooth profile in the Windows list.
Pair the speaker with a Mac laptop
- Turn on the speaker and press and hold its Bluetooth button until the blue Bluetooth light slowly blinks and the speaker says “Ready to connect.”
- Open Bluetooth settings on the Mac. The exact location and labels can vary with the macOS version, so use the Bluetooth controls in the current System Settings or System Preferences interface.
- Select the Bose speaker from the discovered-device list and wait for macOS to show it as connected.
- Play audio. If the sound still comes from the Mac’s internal speakers, open the Mac’s sound settings and select the Bose speaker as the output.
- Select the Bose speaker as the input as well if you specifically want the speaker’s microphone path used by an application.
Bose notes that a Mac may require a separate choice in sound input/output settings even after Bluetooth pairing succeeds. Bluetooth connection status and audio-routing status are therefore two separate checks: first confirm that macOS paired with the speaker, then confirm that the Mac is sending sound to it.
Reconnect a phone or computer you paired before
The SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) can store up to six paired devices. Pairing and connecting are different situations. First-time pairing adds a source to the speaker’s remembered list; reconnecting uses an entry that is already remembered.
Rank #2
- MUSIC CALLS: The Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) packs big, bold sound in a portable size that’s perfect for sharing tunes and good times anywhere on your travels
- SOUND THAT TAKES YOU PLACES: Take advantage of the surprisingly powerful performance of this Bose wireless speaker with its clear, balanced, high-fidelity audio and deep bass that is easy to take with you
- PERFECTLY PORTABLE, WITH BATTERY LIFE TO MATCH: This Bluetooth speaker is small enough to fit in your hand or clip onto a bag using the utility loop, plus it has up to 12 hours of battery life* so you can focus on the fun at the beach, hikes, or pool
- TOSS IT, DROP IT, IT’S ALL GOOD: This IP67 rated Bose portable Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and dustproof and is wrapped in a durable, silicone-wrapped body to withstand drops, shocks, and rust
- STEREO ON THE GO: Amp up the adventure with more sound when you link two compatible Bose speakers, choose Stereo Mode for left and right channels, or go for Party Mode for even bigger, bolder sound
The simplest reconnection method is to turn on the speaker, open Bluetooth settings on the phone or computer, and select the Bose speaker from the paired or known-device list. You do not normally need to repeat the full new-device setup for a source that is still remembered.
You can also use the speaker’s Bluetooth button to cycle through stored connections. Turn on the speaker and press the Bluetooth button to move through the remembered devices. Bose says voice prompts must be enabled if you want the speaker to announce the stored device names while you cycle. Without voice prompts, use the source device’s Bluetooth list to identify and select the connection.
If a previously used phone or laptop is missing from its own Bluetooth list, check that Bluetooth is turned on and try selecting the speaker again. If the source was removed from the phone or computer, it may need to be paired as a new device. If the source remains in the speaker’s stored list, cycling through remembered connections can also restore it.
Use two connected devices and switch between them
The speaker supports active connections to two source devices at the same time. For example, a phone and a laptop can both remain connected. This does not mean that both devices play simultaneously: the SoundLink Flex plays audio from only one source at a time.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo move playback from the first source to the second, pause audio on the first device and start playback on the second. If both devices are sending audio or an application on the first device has not actually paused, the speaker may continue playing the first source. Pausing the first source before starting the second provides the cleanest handoff.
You can manage or disable multipoint in the Bose app. Disabling multipoint disconnects the second connected device. That setting is useful if you want the speaker to maintain only one active source, but it is not required for ordinary first-time pairing or reconnection.
Remember the distinction between stored and active devices. Up to six devices can be remembered by the speaker, while only two can be actively connected at once. A sixth remembered device is not automatically a third active audio stream.
Fix common pairing problems
The speaker does not appear in the device list
Check the speaker’s Bluetooth indicator first. Slowly blinking blue means it is ready to connect. If the light is not blinking in that pattern, press and hold the Bluetooth button again until the speaker announces “Ready to connect.” Then reopen or refresh Bluetooth on the phone or laptop.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchAlso confirm that Bluetooth is enabled on the source device. On a phone, leave the Bluetooth settings page open while scanning. On a laptop, use the current Add or Pair device control rather than looking only at devices that were already connected.
The speaker was paired before but will not reconnect
Open the source device’s Bluetooth settings and select the SoundLink Flex from its remembered devices. If that does not work, turn on the speaker and press its Bluetooth button to cycle through stored connections. Voice prompts need to be enabled if you want spoken device names while cycling.
If the source no longer lists the speaker as paired, start a new pairing attempt: put the speaker into blue-blinking pairing mode and select it from the available-device list. Do not assume that a failed reconnection means the speaker itself is defective.
Rank #3
- MUSIC CALLS: The Bose SoundLink Flex Portable Bluetooth Speaker (2nd Gen) packs big, bold sound in a portable size that’s perfect for sharing tunes and good times anywhere on your travels
- SOUND THAT TAKES YOU PLACES: Take advantage of the surprisingly powerful performance of this Bose wireless speaker with its clear, balanced, high-fidelity audio and deep bass that is easy to take with you
- PERFECTLY PORTABLE, WITH BATTERY LIFE TO MATCH: This Bluetooth speaker is small enough to fit in your hand or clip onto a bag using the utility loop, plus it has up to 12 hours of battery life* so you can focus on the fun at the beach, hikes, or pool
- TOSS IT, DROP IT, IT’S ALL GOOD: This IP67 rated Bose portable Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and dustproof and is wrapped in a durable, silicone-wrapped body to withstand drops, shocks, and rust
- STEREO ON THE GO: Amp up the adventure with more sound when you link two compatible Bose speakers, choose Stereo Mode for left and right channels, or go for Party Mode for even bigger, bolder sound
Windows 10 shows a normal entry and an LE entry
Select the listing with a headphones or speaker icon. Do not select the entry marked LE for audio. If the LE entry was chosen previously, connect again using the headphones/speaker listing.
The computer says connected, but no sound comes from the speaker
Bluetooth pairing does not always change the active audio route automatically. Open the laptop’s sound controls and choose the Bose speaker as output. On a Mac, Bose specifically notes that you may need to select the speaker in sound input/output settings after pairing. On Windows, check the active output device after selecting the correct headphones-or-speaker Bluetooth entry.
Only one application has an audio problem
Bose recommends updating system software and trying a different app when audio trouble occurs only in one application. If another app plays correctly through the speaker, the issue may be limited to the first app’s audio routing or software state rather than the Bluetooth pairing itself.
The instructions do not match the screen
Phone and computer manufacturers change menu names and locations between operating-system versions. Use the Bluetooth settings available on the current device. The model-specific speaker action remains consistent: hold the Bluetooth button until the light slowly blinks blue and the speaker says “Ready to connect,” then select the speaker in the source device’s Bluetooth list.
Two devices keep competing for playback
If a phone and laptop are both active, pause audio on the source that is currently playing before starting audio on the other. If you do not want two active sources, manage multipoint in the Bose app and disable it; Bose says disabling multipoint disconnects the second connected device.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What the indicator and prompts mean during setup
The most useful pairing signal is the slowly blinking blue Bluetooth light. It tells you that the speaker is ready to be discovered. The spoken prompt “Ready to connect” confirms the same state in words. After you select the speaker on the phone or computer, wait for the connection sound or for the indicator to stop showing the pairing behavior.
If you never see the blue blink, the source device may search without finding the speaker. Put the speaker into pairing mode immediately before scanning. If it leaves pairing mode before you finish, hold the Bluetooth button again and repeat the search.
When to use Bose support
Most setup problems can be resolved by repeating the blue-light pairing step, selecting the correct source-device entry, or choosing the Bose speaker as the computer’s audio output. If those checks do not solve the problem, Bose’s SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) product support page collects model-specific support options. Bose’s Bluetooth connection article, owner’s guide, and no-audio troubleshooting page provide the model-specific instructions used here.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I put the Bose SoundLink Flex 2nd Gen into pairing mode?
Turn on the speaker, then press and hold its Bluetooth button until it says “Ready to connect” and the Bluetooth light slowly blinks blue.
Recommended Free Tools
How do I connect the SoundLink Flex to an iPhone?
Put the speaker into pairing mode, open Settings > Bluetooth on the iPhone, and select the Bose speaker from the available-device list.
How do I connect it to Android?
Open Bluetooth from Android Quick Settings or Settings > Connections > Bluetooth, put the speaker in blue-blinking pairing mode, and select it. Compatible phones may also offer Android Fast Pair.
Rank #4
- State-of-the-art design: SoundLink Flex outdoor speaker is packed with exclusive technologies and a custom-engineered transducer for deep, clear, and immersive audio at home or on the go
- Clearest possible sound: Proprietary PositionIQ technology automatically detects the position of your portable Bluetooth speaker for optimal sound quality in any orientation or environment
- Waterproof wireless speaker for travel: SoundLink Flex is rigorously tested to meet IP67 waterproof speaker standards. Crafted and sealed with waterproof materials, it even floats for outdoor adventures
- Portable Bluetooth speaker: Built to resist water, dust, and debris, in a design that withstands drops and rust, this compact speaker goes wherever you do. It's also easy to hold and store, and resistant to corrosion and UV light
- Rechargeable wireless speaker battery: Portable speaker charges through USB-C cable (included). Lithium-ion battery offers up to 12 hours of life per charge
How do I pair it with a laptop?
Put the speaker into pairing mode, open the laptop’s Bluetooth settings, choose Add or Pair a device, and select the Bose speaker. Then choose it as the active audio output if necessary.
Which Windows 10 Bose listing should I choose?
Choose the entry with a headphones or speaker icon. Do not choose the entry marked LE for normal audio.
How many devices can the speaker remember?
The speaker stores up to six paired devices.
Can two devices connect at the same time?
Yes. Two source devices can be actively connected, but the speaker plays audio from only one at a time.
How do I switch from laptop audio to phone audio?
Pause playback on the laptop, then start playback on the phone. The speaker can remain connected to both sources.
How do I reconnect a device I used before?
Select the speaker in that device’s Bluetooth settings, or press the speaker’s Bluetooth button to cycle through stored connections. Voice prompts must be enabled to hear stored device names while cycling.
Why is my Mac connected but still using its internal speakers?
Open the Mac’s sound settings and select the Bose speaker as output. Select it as input too if you want its microphone path used.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Why can’t my phone find the speaker?
Check that the speaker’s Bluetooth light is slowly blinking blue. If it is not, hold the Bluetooth button until “Ready to connect” plays, then refresh the phone’s Bluetooth list.
Can I disable the two-device connection feature?
Yes. Manage multipoint in the Bose app. Disabling it disconnects the second connected device.
What if only one app has no sound?
Bose recommends updating system software and trying a different app to determine whether the problem is limited to that application.
The Bottom Line
For a first connection, turn on the SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen), hold Bluetooth until “Ready to connect” plays and the light blinks blue, then select the speaker in your phone or laptop’s Bluetooth settings. Use the headphones/speaker listing instead of Windows 10’s LE entry, select the Bose speaker as computer audio output when needed, and remember that the speaker stores six devices but actively connects to only two at once.
Quick Recap
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.
