The basic connection process takes about five minutes
Bose QuietComfort earbuds connect to your phone or computer through Bluetooth, the same wireless standard used by most headphones. The first time you pair them, you'll hold the button on the case for a few seconds until a light blinks, then select the earbuds from your device's Bluetooth menu. After that first pairing, the earbuds automatically reconnect whenever you open the case near your phone or computer.
The exact steps depend on whether you're using an iPhone, Android phone, Mac, or Windows computer. The core idea is the same across all devices: put the earbuds in pairing mode, then tell your device to connect to them. Once paired, they stay paired unless you deliberately unpair them or forget the device.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the button on the back of the Bose case for three to four seconds until the light blinks white, which puts the earbuds in pairing mode.
- On your phone or computer, open Bluetooth settings and select "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds" from the list of available devices.
- After the first pairing, the earbuds automatically reconnect when you open the case near your device, with no manual steps needed.
- If the earbuds don't reconnect automatically, open your Bluetooth settings and tap the earbuds' name to reconnect manually.
- You can pair the earbuds with multiple devices, but they actively connect to only one device at a time.
Pairing with an iPhone or iPad
Start with the earbuds in the charging case. Press and hold the button on the back of the case (the side without the Bose logo) for three to four seconds. You'll see a white light blink inside the case — that means pairing mode is active. The light will blink for about two minutes while the earbuds wait for a connection.
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Bluetooth. Wait a few seconds for the list to refresh. You should see "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds" appear in the list of available devices. Tap that name. Your phone will connect and show "Connected" next to the earbuds' name. The white light in the case will stop blinking and stay solid, then turn off.
The next time you open the case near your iPhone, the earbuds will automatically reconnect without any action from you. If they don't reconnect after a few seconds, go back to Bluetooth settings and tap the earbuds' name again.
Pairing with an Android phone
Place the earbuds in the charging case and hold the button on the back of the case for three to four seconds until you see a white light blink inside. This puts the earbuds in pairing mode for about two minutes.
On your Android phone, open Settings and go to Bluetooth (the exact path varies by phone maker, but it's usually Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth or Settings > Bluetooth). Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Wait for the list of available devices to refresh, then tap "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds." Your phone will connect and show "Connected" next to the name.
From then on, opening the case near your phone will trigger an automatic reconnection. If the earbuds don't reconnect on their own, return to Bluetooth settings and tap the earbuds' name to manually reconnect.
Pairing with a Mac
Put the earbuds in the case and hold the button on the back for three to four seconds until the light blinks white. Open System Settings on your Mac (or System Preferences on older versions), then click Bluetooth in the sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is on. You should see "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds" appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Click the name to connect.
Once connected, your Mac will remember the earbuds and reconnect automatically when they're nearby and Bluetooth is on. If you need to reconnect manually, return to the Bluetooth settings and click the earbuds' name again.
Pairing with a Windows computer
With the earbuds in the case, press and hold the button on the back for three to four seconds until the light blinks white. On your Windows computer, open Settings and go to Bluetooth & devices (or Devices on older versions of Windows). Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Wait a moment for the list to refresh, then click "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds" to connect.
After the first connection, your computer will automatically reconnect to the earbuds when they're in range and Bluetooth is on. If automatic reconnection doesn't happen, go back to Bluetooth settings and click the earbuds' name to reconnect manually.
Connecting to multiple devices and switching between them
You can pair Bose QuietComfort earbuds with as many devices as you want — phone, tablet, computer, and so on. However, the earbuds can only actively play audio from one device at a time. When you open the case near a device you've already paired, the earbuds will reconnect to that device automatically.
If you want to switch to a different device, open the case near that device and the earbuds will disconnect from the previous one and reconnect to the new one. You don't need to unpair or go through the full pairing process again. If automatic switching doesn't happen, manually open Bluetooth settings on the new device and tap or click the earbuds' name.
If you want to completely remove the earbuds from a device so they no longer automatically reconnect, go to that device's Bluetooth settings, find "Bose QuietComfort Earbuds," and choose "Forget" or "Unpair." You'll need to repeat the full pairing process if you want to use them with that device again.
Troubleshooting when the earbuds won't connect
If the light on the case doesn't blink white when you hold the button, the earbuds may not have enough battery. Place the case on a charger for at least 15 minutes and try again. A solid light (not blinking) means the earbuds are already paired to another device — try forgetting them from that device first, then repeat the pairing steps.
If the earbuds appear in your Bluetooth list but won't connect when you tap or click the name, try turning Bluetooth off and back on, then selecting the earbuds again. If that doesn't work, forget the earbuds from that device and repeat the pairing process from the beginning. Make sure the case button is held for the full three to four seconds — holding it too briefly won't set up pairing mode.
If you're pairing with a computer and the earbuds don't appear in the Bluetooth list at all, move the case closer to the computer and try again. Bluetooth has a limited range, usually about 30 feet in open space. If the earbuds still don't appear after moving closer, restart your computer's Bluetooth by turning it off and back on in settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pair the earbuds every time I use them?
No. After the first pairing, the earbuds automatically reconnect whenever you open the case near a device you've already paired them with. You only go through the full pairing process once per device.
Can I use the earbuds with two devices at the same time?
No. The earbuds can be paired with multiple devices, but they actively play audio from only one device at a time. To switch devices, open the case near the device you want to use, and the earbuds will disconnect from the previous one and reconnect to the new one.
What does the light on the case mean?
A blinking white light means the earbuds are in pairing mode and waiting for a connection. A solid light means they're already paired to a device. No light means the case is out of battery or the earbuds are fully charged and not in pairing mode.
Why won't my earbuds reconnect automatically?
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings. If it is, try manually selecting the earbuds from your Bluetooth list. If they still won't connect, forget them from that device and repeat the pairing process. Low battery in the case can also prevent automatic reconnection.
Can I pair the earbuds with a smartwatch or other device?
Yes. Any device with Bluetooth can pair with Bose QuietComfort earbuds using the same process: hold the case button until the light blinks, then select the earbuds from that device's Bluetooth settings. The pairing steps are the same regardless of device type.