The basic steps to pair Beats with your phone or computer

Beats wireless headphones connect through Bluetooth, a short-range wireless standard that lets devices talk to each other without cables. The first time you pair them, you'll turn on Bluetooth on both your headphones and your phone or computer, then confirm the connection on your device's screen. After that first pairing, your Beats will usually reconnect automatically when you turn them on.

The exact steps depend on whether you're using an iPhone, Android phone, Mac, Windows computer, or something else. But the core idea is the same: make your Beats discoverable, find them in your device's Bluetooth settings, and tap to connect.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on your Beats headphones and hold the power button until the LED light flashes white, which means they're ready to pair.
  • On your phone or computer, open Bluetooth settings, look for your Beats model name in the list of available devices, and tap it to connect.
  • Once paired, your Beats will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on and Bluetooth is enabled on your device.
  • If your Beats don't show up in the Bluetooth list, restart both the headphones and your device, then try again.
  • You can pair the same Beats headphones with multiple devices, but they'll only connect to one device at a time.

Pairing Beats with an iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap Bluetooth, then make sure the toggle is turned on (it should be green). Your Beats headphones should appear in the list of available devices — look for the model name, like "Beats Studio Pro" or "Beats Fit Pro".

Tap the name of your Beats in the list. Your iPhone will show "Connecting" for a moment, then "Connected" once the pairing is complete. You'll also see a small Bluetooth icon appear in the top right corner of your screen. From now on, when you turn on your Beats with Bluetooth enabled on your iPhone, they'll reconnect on their own.

Pairing Beats with Android phones

The process is similar on Android, but the exact location of Bluetooth settings varies by phone maker. On most Android phones, swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open Quick Settings, then tap Bluetooth to turn it on. On some phones, you may need to go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth instead.

Once Bluetooth is on, your Beats should appear in the list of available devices. Tap the name to pair. Android will show "Pairing" and then "Connected" once it's done. Like with iPhone, your Beats will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on.

Pairing Beats with Mac computers

Click the Apple menu in the top left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs). Click Bluetooth in the left sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you'll see a toggle at the top of the window.

Your Beats should appear in the list of available devices. Click the name of your Beats, then click Connect. Your Mac will show "Connected" once the pairing is complete. You can also click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen to see your connected devices and switch between them.

Pairing Beats with Windows computers

Click the Windows Start button and go to Settings. Select Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices. Make sure the Bluetooth toggle is on. Click Add device, then select Bluetooth from the menu that appears.

Windows will search for nearby Bluetooth devices. Your Beats should appear in the list — tap the name to pair. Windows will show "Pairing" and then "Connected" once it's done. After the first pairing, your Beats will reconnect automatically when you turn them on and Bluetooth is enabled on your computer.

What to do if your Beats won't show up or won't stay connected

If your Beats don't appear in the Bluetooth list, the most common fix is to restart both devices. Turn off your Beats completely, wait 10 seconds, then turn them back on. At the same time, turn off Bluetooth on your phone or computer, wait a few seconds, then turn it back on. Try pairing again.

If your Beats keep disconnecting, check that they're fully charged — low battery can cause connection problems. Also make sure your phone or computer isn't too far away; Bluetooth typically works best within 30 feet. If you're in a place with a lot of other wireless devices (like an office or apartment building), interference from WiFi or other Bluetooth devices can also cause drops. Try moving closer to your device or moving away from other electronics.

If the problem continues, you may need to "forget" the Beats on your device and pair them again from scratch. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Beats in the list, tap the info icon next to the name, and select Forget This Device. On Android, go to Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth, long-press your Beats, and select Unpair. Then repeat the pairing steps above.

Pairing the same Beats with multiple devices

You can pair your Beats with as many devices as you want — your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows computer all at once. However, your Beats can only play audio from one device at a time. When you turn on your Beats, they'll connect to whichever device they were last used with.

To switch to a different device, open the Bluetooth settings on that device and tap your Beats in the list. The connection will switch over. Some Beats models, like the AirPods Pro, have a quick switcher in iOS that lets you change which device is playing without opening Bluetooth settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Beats headphone LED light keep flashing white?

A flashing white light means your Beats are in pairing mode and waiting to connect to a device. This is normal when you first turn them on. Once they pair successfully, the light will turn off or change color. If the light keeps flashing after you've tapped to connect, the pairing didn't go through — try restarting both devices and pairing again.

Can I use my Beats with two devices at the same time?

No, Beats can only play audio from one device at a time. However, some Beats models support "multipoint" connection, which means they can stay paired to two devices and automatically switch when you start playing audio on a different one. Check your Beats model's manual to see if this feature is available.

What if I forgot which device my Beats are paired with?

Turn on your Beats and they'll automatically connect to the device they were last used with. If you want to connect them to a different device instead, open Bluetooth settings on that device and tap your Beats in the list. The connection will switch over when ready.

Do I need to pair my Beats every time I use them?

No. Once you pair your Beats with a device, they'll reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on — as long as Bluetooth is enabled on your device. You only need to pair them once, unless you forget the device or reset your Beats to factory settings.

Why won't my Beats connect even though they're in pairing mode?

Make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on in your device's settings — sometimes it looks on but isn't. Also check that your Beats are fully charged and within 30 feet of your device. If you've already paired these Beats with another device, they might be trying to reconnect to that one instead. Forget the Beats on all your other devices first, then try pairing with your current device.