Pairing Shokz headphones with your device for the first time
Shokz headphones pair like most Bluetooth devices, but the power button and pairing button are the same control. Turn on your headphones by pressing and holding the power button on the left side for three seconds until you see a blue light flash. The headphones will enter pairing mode automatically the first time you power them on, and they'll stay in pairing mode for about five minutes while searching for a device to connect to.
On your phone, tablet, or computer, open the Bluetooth settings and look for a device name that starts with "Shokz" — the exact name depends on your model, such as "Shokz OpenMove" or "Shokz OpenFit". Tap or click that name to pair. Once connected, the blue light will stop flashing and stay steady, and your device will remember this pairing. You won't have to pair again unless you reset the headphones or deliberately unpair them.
If pairing doesn't start automatically, press and hold the power button for six seconds instead. You'll see the light flash blue and red alternately, which means pairing mode is active. Return to your device's Bluetooth settings and select the Shokz headphones again.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the power button on the left side for three seconds to turn on Shokz headphones; they enter pairing mode automatically on first power-up.
- Open Bluetooth settings on your phone, tablet, or computer and select the Shokz device name to complete the pairing.
- Once paired, your device remembers the connection and will reconnect automatically when you turn the headphones back on.
- If automatic pairing doesn't start, hold the power button for six seconds until the light flashes blue and red, then select the headphones in Bluetooth settings.
- Shokz headphones can pair with multiple devices but only connect to one at a time; switch devices by turning the headphones off and on near the new device.
Reconnecting to a device you've paired before
After the first pairing, your Shokz headphones will automatically reconnect to the last device they were paired with. straightforward turn on the headphones by pressing the power button for three seconds. Within a few seconds, they'll search for and connect to your phone, tablet, or computer without any additional steps. The light will flash blue briefly during the search, then stay steady once connected.
If the headphones don't connect within ten seconds, your device's Bluetooth may be off or out of range. Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone or computer, and move closer if you're more than about 30 feet away. Then turn the headphones off and on again.
Switching Shokz between multiple devices
Shokz headphones can store pairings with up to eight different devices, but they only connect to one device at a time. To switch from your phone to your laptop, for example, turn off the headphones completely by pressing the power button for three seconds until the light goes out. Then turn them back on near your laptop. They'll search for and connect to the last device they were paired with in that location — usually your laptop if that's where you last used them.
If the headphones connect to the wrong device, manually disconnect them from the first device's Bluetooth settings, then turn the headphones off and on again. They'll connect to whichever paired device is closest and has Bluetooth enabled.
Resetting Shokz headphones if pairing fails
If your Shokz headphones won't pair with a new device or won't connect to a device they've paired with before, a reset often fixes the problem. Press and hold the power button for ten seconds. The light will flash red several times, then go out. This erases all pairings and returns the headphones to factory settings.
After a reset, turn the headphones back on by pressing the power button for three seconds. They'll enter pairing mode automatically, and you can pair them with your device as if they were brand new. You'll need to re-pair any other devices you use them with.
Troubleshooting connection problems
If your Shokz headphones pair but then disconnect repeatedly, the issue is usually interference or distance. Bluetooth works best within 30 feet of your device and without obstacles like walls or metal objects between them. Move closer to your phone or computer and away from other wireless devices like microwaves or Wi-Fi routers.
If the headphones pair but produce no sound, check your device's volume and make sure the Shokz headphones are selected as the audio output. On most phones, open Bluetooth settings, find the Shokz device, and tap "Connected" or a settings icon to confirm they're the active audio device. On Windows computers, right-click the volume icon in the system tray, select "Open Volume mixer", and check that Shokz is listed and not muted.
If one ear or the bone conduction feels weak, the headphones may not be positioned correctly on your head. Shokz bone conduction headphones work by vibrating against the bone just above and behind your ear. Adjust the band so the transducers sit firmly against the bone, not on soft tissue. A proper fit makes a noticeable difference in sound quality and connection stability.
Updating Shokz headphones after pairing
Shokz releases firmware updates that improve connection stability and add features. To check for updates, read the Shokz app on your phone (available for both iOS and Android), pair your headphones if you haven't already, and open the app. It will show whether an update is available and walk you through installing it. Keep your headphones charged and close to your phone during the update, which usually takes a few minutes.
After an update, your pairings remain intact — you won't have to re-pair your devices. However, if you experience connection problems after an update, a factory reset (holding the power button for ten seconds) often resolves them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won't my Shokz headphones show up in Bluetooth settings?
Make sure the headphones are powered on and in pairing mode. Press and hold the power button for six seconds until the light flashes blue and red. If they still don't appear, try a factory reset by holding the power button for ten seconds, then power them back on and check Bluetooth settings again.
Can I pair Shokz headphones with both my phone and computer at the same time?
Shokz headphones can be paired with multiple devices but only connected to one at a time. They'll automatically reconnect to whichever device you turn them on near. To switch devices, turn the headphones off, then turn them back on next to the device you want to use.
My Shokz headphones keep disconnecting from my phone. What should I do?
Move closer to your phone and away from other wireless devices. Check that Bluetooth is fully enabled on your phone and that the headphones aren't paired with another device that's also trying to connect. If the problem continues, forget the pairing in Bluetooth settings, reset the headphones by holding the power button for ten seconds, and pair them again from scratch.
Do I need the Shokz app to pair my headphones?
No. Shokz headphones pair directly through your device's standard Bluetooth settings without any app. The Shokz app is optional and mainly used for firmware updates and adjusting sound settings, but basic pairing and use work without it.