The basic connection process
Bose QuietComfort earbuds connect through Bluetooth, the same wireless standard your phone uses for other devices. The first time you connect them, you'll put the earbuds into pairing mode and select them from your phone's Bluetooth settings. After that first connection, they'll recognize your phone automatically when you turn them on.
The whole process takes about two minutes. You don't need the Bose app to connect the earbuds — the app is optional and adds features like noise control adjustment, but basic pairing works without it.
Key Takeaways
- Put the earbuds in pairing mode by pressing and holding the button on the case for about 10 seconds until the light blinks white.
- Go to your phone's Bluetooth settings and tap "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds" when it appears in the list of available devices.
- After the first pairing, the earbuds will connect automatically when you turn them on and your phone's Bluetooth is active.
- If the earbuds don't connect automatically, forget them from your phone's Bluetooth settings and pair them again from scratch.
- You can connect the same earbuds to multiple devices, but they'll only play audio from one at a time.
Putting the earbuds into pairing mode
The earbuds come in a charging case. Open the case and look at the button on the back — it's small and recessed. Press and hold that button for about 10 seconds. You'll see the light on the case blink white, then blue. That white-and-blue blinking means the earbuds are in pairing mode and ready to be found by your phone.
If the light doesn't blink, the case battery may be dead. Plug the case into a USB-C cable for at least 15 minutes, then try again. The case needs enough charge to power the earbuds during pairing.
Pairing mode stays active for about 10 minutes. If your phone doesn't find the earbuds within that window, the case will exit pairing mode and you'll need to press the button again.
Connecting on iPhone or iPad
Open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — the toggle at the top should be green. Wait a few seconds for your phone to scan for nearby devices. You should see "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds" appear in the list under "Other Devices."
Tap the name "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds." Your phone will connect and show a confirmation screen. Once connected, the name will move to the top of the Bluetooth menu under "My Devices" and show "Connected" underneath it.
If you see a popup asking to name the device, you can tap "Done" to skip it or type a custom name if you have multiple Bose products. Either way, the earbuds will work the same.
Connecting on Android
Open Settings and look for Bluetooth — the exact location varies by phone maker, but it's usually under "Connected devices" or "Connections." Turn Bluetooth on if it isn't already. Your phone will start scanning for devices.
When "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds" appears in the list, tap it. Your phone will connect and show "Connected" next to the name. Some Android phones ask for permission to pair — if you see that prompt, tap "Pair" or "OK."
After pairing, the earbuds will appear in your Bluetooth settings under "Paired devices" rather than "Available devices." This is normal and means they're ready to use.
Connecting on Windows or Mac
On Windows, open Settings, go to Bluetooth & devices, and make sure Bluetooth is on. Click "Add device" and select "Bluetooth." Your computer will scan for nearby devices. Click "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds" when it appears.
On Mac, open System Settings, click Bluetooth, and make sure it's on. The earbuds will appear in the list of available devices. Click "Connect" next to the Bose earbuds name.
Both Windows and Mac will remember the connection after the first time. When you turn the earbuds on near your computer with Bluetooth active, they'll connect automatically.
What to do if the earbuds won't connect
If the earbuds don't appear in your Bluetooth list, first check that they're actually in pairing mode — the case light should be blinking white and blue. If it's not, press and hold the button on the case again for 10 seconds.
If the earbuds appear but won't connect, or if they connected once and now won't connect again, forget them from your phone and start over. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find the earbuds name, tap the info icon next to it, and select "Forget This Device." On Android, long-press the earbuds name and tap "Forget" or "Unpair." On Windows or Mac, right-click the earbuds name in Bluetooth settings and choose "Remove device."
After forgetting them, put the earbuds back into pairing mode and pair them again as if it were the first time. This solves most connection problems.
Connecting to a second device
The same earbuds can pair with multiple phones, tablets, or computers. Pair them to your first device as described above. Then, when you want to use them with a second device, put the earbuds back into pairing mode by pressing the button on the case for 10 seconds, and pair them to the second device through its Bluetooth settings.
The earbuds will remember both devices. When you turn them on, they'll try to connect to whichever device they last played audio on. If that device isn't nearby or Bluetooth is off, they'll connect to the other device instead. You can't play audio from both devices at the same time — only one device can use the earbuds at a time.
If you want to switch between devices, turn off Bluetooth on the device you're leaving and turn it on for the device you're moving to. The earbuds will disconnect from the first device and connect to the second within a few seconds.
Using the Bose app (optional)
The Bose app is available on iPhone and Android. It's not required to use the earbuds, but it lets you adjust noise control levels, customize touch controls, and check the battery. You can read it from the App Store or Google Play.
To use the app, pair the earbuds to your phone first using Bluetooth settings as described above. Then open the Bose app and it will automatically find the connected earbuds. You don't need to pair them again — the app just reads the existing Bluetooth connection.
If the app doesn't find the earbuds, make sure Bluetooth is on and the earbuds are connected in your phone's Bluetooth settings. Close the app completely and open it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the earbuds keep disconnecting from my phone?
Disconnections usually happen when Bluetooth is turned off, the earbuds are too far from your phone (more than 30 feet), or the battery is very low. Check that Bluetooth is on, move closer to your phone, and charge the case. If disconnections continue, forget the earbuds from your phone's Bluetooth settings and pair them again.
Can I use the earbuds with my laptop and phone at the same time?
No. The earbuds can only play audio from one device at a time. If both devices have Bluetooth on, the earbuds will stay connected to whichever one they paired with most recently. To switch, turn off Bluetooth on one device and the earbuds will connect to the other.
Do I need to put the earbuds in pairing mode every time I use them?
No. After the first pairing, just turn on the earbuds by opening the case or pressing the button. They'll connect automatically to any device they've paired with before, as long as that device has Bluetooth on.
What if I lost one earbud or the case?
If you lost an earbud, you can still pair the case and the remaining earbud to your phone, but you'll only hear audio in one ear. If you lost the case, the earbuds won't charge and will eventually run out of battery. You'll need to replace either the earbud or the case through Bose.
How do I reset the earbuds if pairing isn't working at all?
Press and hold the button on the case for 15 seconds — longer than the normal pairing mode. The light will blink rapidly and then turn off. This erases all previous pairings. After the reset, put them in pairing mode again by holding the button for 10 seconds and pair them to your phone as if they were brand new.