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How to Pair Wireless Earbuds With Your Phone, Tablet, or Computer

Charge your earbuds, put them in pairing mode, and select them in Bluetooth settings. Use these steps for common models and fix connection problems.
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To activate wireless earbuds, charge them, put them in pairing mode, then select them in your device’s Bluetooth settings. The exact button or touch control depends on the earbud model, so use its manual if the steps below don’t match your case.

Pair wireless earbuds with a phone, tablet, or computer

  1. Charge the earbuds and case. If the earbuds pair using a case button, place them correctly in the case before starting.
  2. Turn on Bluetooth on the phone, tablet, or computer you want to use.
  3. Put the earbuds in pairing mode. Follow the instructions for your model; button and touch controls are not universal.
  4. Open the device’s Bluetooth settings and choose the option to pair or add a device. Select the earbuds when they appear. On supported Android devices, a Fast Pair notification may offer a quicker setup; if it does not appear, use the Bluetooth device list. Android Help explains both paths.
  5. Check the audio output. Play a short clip and, if sound still comes from the device speaker, select the earbuds in the device’s audio output controls. On a Mac, see Apple’s audio and Bluetooth instructions.

Pairing steps for popular earbuds

Apple AirPods

With an iPhone or iPad, turn on Bluetooth, open the AirPods case with the earbuds inside, hold it near the device, and follow the setup prompt. For a Mac or another Bluetooth device, put the AirPods into pairing mode using the case control for that generation. Older models use a setup button; some newer models use a double tap on the front of the case. Follow the instructions for your specific model in Apple’s AirPods pairing guide.

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AirPods can work as a Bluetooth headset with non-Apple devices for listening and calls, but Apple says Siri is unavailable in that setup. Apple’s instructions for Mac and other Bluetooth devices cover the model-specific pairing controls.

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Google Pixel Buds

For the documented Fast Pair method, charge the earbuds and case, unlock the Android device, and turn on Bluetooth and Location. Open the case near the device, then hold its pairing button until the light pulses white. Follow the setup notification. On other devices, select Pixel Buds from the Bluetooth list. See Google’s Pixel Buds setup instructions.

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Samsung Galaxy Buds

The pairing control depends on the Galaxy Buds generation. Some models use a case button; others enter pairing mode when you press both earbuds’ touchpads at the same time. Then select the Buds in the host device’s Bluetooth settings. Samsung’s Bluetooth troubleshooting guide describes generation-specific controls. On compatible Galaxy devices updated to One UI 8.0, Samsung also documents Bluetooth and QuickPair setup without requiring the Galaxy Wearable app for pairing; availability and menus can vary by model and software version. See Samsung’s One UI 8 pairing instructions.

If your earbuds do not appear or will not connect

Work through these checks in order before resetting the earbuds:

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  1. Check charge and placement. Charge the earbuds and case, and make sure the earbuds are seated as required if the pairing control is on the case.
  2. Confirm pairing mode. Toggle Bluetooth off and back on on the host device, then repeat the model-specific pairing-mode step. Earbuds that are not discoverable will not show in the list.
  3. Clear an old connection. If the earbuds were connected to another phone or computer, disconnect them there or remove the saved pairing on the device you are setting up. For Pixel Buds, Google’s troubleshooting flow recommends forgetting the old Bluetooth entry before pairing again: Google Pixel Buds pairing troubleshooting.
  4. Restart the host device and try pairing again.
  5. Reset only as a later step. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact model. A reset can erase saved settings and preferences; Google notes this effect for Pixel Buds in its troubleshooting guidance.
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What to know after pairing

  • Pairing requires Bluetooth on the host and earbuds that are discoverable; selecting the earbuds in the device list completes the standard Bluetooth setup.
  • Fast Pair, QuickPair, and other setup prompts are convenience options, not the only way to connect. Manual Bluetooth selection is useful when no prompt appears.
  • Pairing may connect the earbuds without enabling every brand-specific feature. For example, Siri is not available when AirPods are used with a non-Apple Bluetooth device.

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