The basic connection process for Bose Open earbuds

Bose Open earbuds connect to your phone or device through Bluetooth, the same wireless standard used by most audio devices. The first time you pair them, you'll turn on the earbuds, open your device's Bluetooth settings, and select "Bose Open" from the list of available devices. After that first pairing, the earbuds will reconnect automatically whenever they're powered on and within range of your phone.

The entire process takes about two minutes. You don't need an app to connect them, though Bose does offer one if you want to adjust sound settings or check battery level later.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on the earbuds by pressing and holding the button on the right earbud for three seconds until you see a white light.
  • Go to your phone's Bluetooth settings and look for "Bose Open" in the list of available devices, then tap it to pair.
  • Once paired, the earbuds will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on near your phone.
  • If the earbuds don't appear in your Bluetooth list, reset them by holding the button for ten seconds until the light flashes red and white.
  • The Bose app is optional but useful for checking battery, adjusting EQ, and managing which devices the earbuds remember.

Turning on the earbuds for the first time

Press and hold the button on the right earbud for three seconds. You'll feel a small vibration, and a white light will appear on the earbud. This means they're powered on and ready to pair. The light will stay on for about two minutes while the earbuds search for a device to connect to.

If the light doesn't appear, the battery may be low. Place both earbuds in the charging case for 15 minutes, then try again. The case itself has a small LED on the front that shows charging status—solid amber means charging, solid white means fully charged.

Finding and selecting Bose Open in your device's Bluetooth settings

On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and wait for the list to load. You should see "Bose Open" appear within a few seconds. Tap it once. On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth (or Bluetooth & Device Connection, depending on your phone's version), and look for "Bose Open" in the list of available devices. Tap it to pair.

If you don't see "Bose Open" in the list, make sure the earbuds are still powered on—the white light should still be visible. If the light has gone out, press the button again for three seconds. If you still don't see them after 30 seconds, move closer to your phone and try refreshing the Bluetooth list by turning Bluetooth off and back on.

What happens after you tap "Bose Open"

Your phone will show a "Pairing" message for a few seconds, then display "Connected" next to "Bose Open" in the Bluetooth settings. At the same time, the white light on the right earbud will turn off, and you may hear a tone in the earbuds confirming the connection. This entire step takes about 10 to 15 seconds.

Once connected, you can close the Bluetooth settings and start using the earbuds. Audio from your phone will play through them automatically. If you open a music app, video app, or make a call, the sound will route to the earbuds without any additional steps.

Reconnecting on future uses

The next time you turn on the earbuds near your phone, they'll reconnect automatically. You don't need to go back into Bluetooth settings. Just press the button on the right earbud for three seconds, wait for the white light, and within a few seconds your phone will show "Connected" in the Bluetooth menu. This automatic reconnection works as long as your phone's Bluetooth is turned on.

If the earbuds don't reconnect after 30 seconds, open your Bluetooth settings and tap "Bose Open" again. This usually only happens if your phone's Bluetooth was off when you turned on the earbuds, or if the earbuds were paired with a different device since you last used them.

Resetting the earbuds if they won't pair

If "Bose Open" doesn't appear in your Bluetooth list after waiting 60 seconds, reset the earbuds. Press and hold the button on the right earbud for ten seconds. The light will flash red and white, then turn off. This clears the earbuds' memory of all previously paired devices. Wait five seconds, then press the button again for three seconds to turn them back on. The white light will return, and you can now pair them as if they were brand new.

After a reset, the earbuds will no longer automatically reconnect to your old phone or other devices. You'll need to pair them with your current phone using the Bluetooth settings process described above. If you later want to use them with a different device, you can pair them again—Bose Open earbuds can remember up to eight devices, though they'll only actively connect to one at a time.

Using the Bose app (optional)

The Bose app is not required to use the earbuds, but it adds useful features. read "Bose" from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, open it, and it will automatically detect your connected Bose Open earbuds. From the app, you can check battery percentage, adjust the EQ (bass, treble, and overall sound profile), and manage which devices the earbuds remember.

The app also shows firmware updates if they're available. Firmware updates improve performance and fix bugs, and they install wirelessly while the earbuds are connected to your phone and plugged into power. You don't need to do anything except tap "Update" in the app—the process takes about five minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Bose Open earbuds keep disconnecting from my phone?

Disconnections usually happen when your phone's Bluetooth is turned off, when you move too far away (beyond about 30 feet), or when the battery is very low. Check that Bluetooth is on in your phone's settings, move closer to your phone, and charge the earbuds if the battery is below 20 percent. If disconnections continue, reset the earbuds and re-pair them.

Can I pair Bose Open earbuds with multiple devices at the same time?

The earbuds can remember up to eight devices, but they only connect to one at a time. If you want to switch from your phone to a tablet, you'll need to go into the tablet's Bluetooth settings and tap "Bose Open" to reconnect. The earbuds will disconnect from your phone automatically.

What if I forget which device my Bose Open earbuds are paired with?

Reset the earbuds by holding the button for ten seconds until the light flashes red and white. This erases all previous pairings. Then turn them back on and pair them with your current device using the Bluetooth settings process.

Do I need to charge the earbuds before pairing them for the first time?

Bose Open earbuds come partially charged from the factory, so you can pair them when ready. However, they'll only stay on for about 30 minutes before the battery runs out. Charge them fully in the case for at least two hours before your first real use.