To pair the Bose SoundLink Max, turn it on, press and hold its Bluetooth button until it is ready to pair, then choose Bose SoundLink Max in your phone, computer, or TV’s Bluetooth settings. The Bose app offers another way to start pairing. TV support varies by model; if your TV lacks Bluetooth audio but has a compatible analog output, you can try a wired connection to the speaker’s AUX input.
Pair the SoundLink Max with a phone
- Turn on the SoundLink Max.
- Press and hold the speaker’s Bluetooth button until it is available for pairing.
- On your phone, open Bluetooth settings, turn Bluetooth on, and select Bose SoundLink Max.
On Android OS 6.0 or newer, Google Fast Pair may display a pairing prompt. Bose says Bluetooth and location services must be enabled for this option. Bose SoundLink Max product page.
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Start pairing from the Bose app
If the speaker has already been added to your Bose account, open the Bose app and tap Source → Bluetooth → Add New. Then finish by selecting the speaker in the phone’s Bluetooth settings. Bose app pairing instructions.
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- Turn on the speaker and press and hold its Bluetooth button until it is available for pairing.
- Open your computer’s Bluetooth device settings and choose Bose SoundLink Max from the available devices.
The exact setting names and menus depend on your operating system and version. Bose’s general Bluetooth guidance covers Windows 10 and 11, macOS, and Chromebook; follow the relevant instructions for your computer. Bose Bluetooth connection guidance.
#1 Best Overall
- DEEP BASS, BIG SOUND: Whether you're the crew's go-to DJ or a music lover with the best playlists, the Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker delivers deep, rich bass for a sound that will truly wow the party
- VIBE WHEREVER YOU GO: Easily bring your Bose portable speaker to any hangout, the soft removable climbing rope handle makes it easy to pick up the party speaker so the music travels wherever you go
- WATERPROOF AND DUSTPROOF: Worry less about accidental drops or getting caught in the rain, this dustproof and waterproof speaker is IP67 rated and is also shock and rust resistant
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE*: This large portable speaker gives you up to 20 hours of battery life*, so you can listen to your favorite tunes all day and night so the party never stops. USB-C cable included
- POWER UP WHILE LISTENING: The USB-C port on the back lets you charge any device using the speaker’s built-in battery which means if the SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker has power, so does your device
Connect the SoundLink Max to a TV
Bluetooth connection
- Put the speaker into pairing mode by pressing and holding its Bluetooth button.
- On the TV, open its Bluetooth or audio-device settings and select Bose SoundLink Max, if it is listed as an available audio output.
TV menus and support for Bluetooth speakers vary by make and model. Consult the TV manual or manufacturer’s instructions; Bose’s general TV guidance is not a compatibility guarantee for every television. Bose Bluetooth connection guidance.
Wired AUX connection
If the TV does not offer Bluetooth audio output, a wired connection may work if it has a compatible analog audio output. Connect a 3.5 mm audio cable from that TV output to the AUX port on the back of the SoundLink Max. Bose says the cable is not included. When connected, the speaker’s AUX indicator lights. To return to Bluetooth, press and hold the speaker’s Bluetooth button. Bose SoundLink Max product page.
| Connection | What you need | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | A TV that supports Bluetooth audio output; no audio cable is needed. | Choose this for a wireless connection when the TV can send audio to Bluetooth speakers. |
| Wired AUX | A TV with a compatible analog audio output and a 3.5 mm audio cable, sold separately. | Use this as a possible alternative when the TV lacks Bluetooth audio output. |
The available product guidance does not establish which connection will have less audio delay on a particular TV and speaker setup.
Rank #2
- DEEP BASS, BIG SOUND: Whether you're the crew's go-to DJ or a music lover with the best playlists, the Bose SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker delivers deep, rich bass for a sound that will truly wow the party
- VIBE WHEREVER YOU GO: Easily bring your Bose portable speaker to any hangout, the soft removable climbing rope handle makes it easy to pick up the party speaker so the music travels wherever you go
- WATERPROOF AND DUSTPROOF: Worry less about accidental drops or getting caught in the rain, this dustproof and waterproof speaker is IP67 rated and is also shock and rust resistant
- 20 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE*: This large portable speaker gives you up to 20 hours of battery life*, so you can listen to your favorite tunes all day and night so the party never stops. USB-C cable included
- POWER UP WHILE LISTENING: The USB-C port on the back lets you charge any device using the speaker’s built-in battery which means if the SoundLink Max Bluetooth Speaker has power, so does your device
Switch between paired devices and fix common pairing problems
Switch audio between connected devices
The SoundLink Max can be actively connected to up to two devices at once, but it plays audio from only one source at a time. To switch, pause playback on the first device, then start playback on the second. The Bose app can manage or disable the speaker’s multipoint connections. Bose SoundLink Max Owner’s Guide.
Clear the saved Bluetooth-device list
Bose says the speaker stores up to six paired devices. To clear its saved list, turn on the speaker and hold the Bluetooth button for 15 seconds. You will need to pair saved devices again afterward. Bose SoundLink Max product page.
Know what phone pairing does not provide
The SoundLink Max has no microphone, so it cannot be used as a phone-call speakerphone. Pairing it to a phone lets you play phone audio through the speaker, but calls require another device’s microphone. Bose SoundLink Max product page.
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