The basic connection process

The Beats Pill connects to your phone or computer using Bluetooth, which means you don't need a cable or internet connection. The speaker turns on, enters pairing mode automatically the first time, and then remembers your device for future use. After the first connection, the Pill will reconnect on its own whenever you turn it on and your phone or computer is nearby.

The connection takes about 30 seconds from start to finish. You'll see a light on the speaker change color to show its status — white means it's ready to pair, and blue means it's connected. Once paired, you can play music, podcasts, or videos through the speaker from up to 30 feet away.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on the Beats Pill and it enters pairing mode automatically the first time, showing a white light.
  • Go to your phone or computer's Bluetooth settings, find "Beats Pill" in the list, and tap or click to connect.
  • After the first pairing, the speaker reconnects automatically whenever both devices are turned on and in range.
  • If the speaker won't connect, restart both the Pill and your device, then try pairing again from Bluetooth settings.
  • You can pair the Pill with multiple devices, but it only plays audio from one at a time.

Pairing with an iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and tap Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you'll see the toggle switch in blue. The Beats Pill should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Tap "Beats Pill" to connect. Your phone will show "Connected" underneath the speaker's name when the pairing is complete.

If you don't see the Beats Pill in the list, make sure the speaker is turned on and the white light is visible. If it's been paired with another device recently, you may need to unpair it from that device first. Once connected, your iPhone or iPad will remember this speaker and reconnect automatically the next time you turn it on.

Pairing with an Android phone

Open Settings on your Android phone and look for Bluetooth — the exact location varies by phone brand, but it's usually under "Connected devices" or "Connections." Turn Bluetooth on if it isn't already. The Beats Pill will appear in the list of available devices. Tap it to connect. You'll see "Connected" or a checkmark next to the speaker's name when pairing is done.

Android phones sometimes ask for permission to access your contacts or location when pairing a Bluetooth device — you can decline these requests without affecting the speaker's ability to play audio. If the Pill doesn't show up, restart the speaker by turning it off and back on, then check the Bluetooth list again.

Connecting to a Mac or Windows computer

On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner of the menu bar. If you don't see it, go to System Settings, click Bluetooth, and turn it on. The Beats Pill will appear in the list. Click it to connect. On Windows, go to Settings, select Devices, then Bluetooth and other devices. Turn Bluetooth on and wait for the Beats Pill to appear in the list, then click it.

After connecting, your computer will remember the speaker. The next time you turn on the Pill and your computer is nearby, they'll reconnect automatically. You can then play audio from any app — a web browser, music player, or video — and it will come through the speaker instead of your computer's built-in speakers.

What to do if the speaker won't connect

If the Beats Pill doesn't appear in your Bluetooth list, turn the speaker off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on. The white light should appear again. If it still doesn't show up, restart your phone or computer as well — this clears temporary connection problems. Then try pairing again from Bluetooth settings.

If the speaker was previously paired with a different device, it may still be trying to connect to that device instead. Unpair it from the old device first by going to Bluetooth settings and selecting "Forget" or "Remove" next to the Beats Pill. Then try pairing with your current phone or computer. If you see a blue light but no sound is coming through, check that your phone or computer's volume is turned up and that the app you're using isn't muted.

Pairing multiple devices and switching between them

The Beats Pill can be paired with up to eight different devices — phones, tablets, and computers. However, it only plays audio from one device at a time. When you turn on the speaker, it automatically connects to whichever paired device is closest or was used most recently.

To switch to a different device, go to that device's Bluetooth settings and select the Beats Pill. The speaker will disconnect from the previous device and connect to the new one. This takes a few seconds. You don't need to unpair anything — just select the speaker from Bluetooth settings on the device you want to use.

Checking battery and connection status

The light on the Beats Pill shows you what's happening. A white light means it's in pairing mode and ready to connect. A blue light means it's connected and playing audio. A red light means the battery is low — usually below 20 percent. If the light is off, the speaker is either turned off or the battery is completely dead.

To check the exact battery level on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone and iPad) or look at the menu bar (Mac) after the speaker is connected. You'll see the Beats Pill listed with a percentage. On Android, the battery percentage usually appears in the Bluetooth settings next to the speaker's name once it's connected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Beats Pill keep disconnecting?

The speaker disconnects if your phone or computer goes to sleep, if you move more than 30 feet away, or if the battery is very low. If it disconnects while you're nearby and the battery is charged, restart both the speaker and your device. If disconnections keep happening, unpair the speaker completely and pair it again from scratch.

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

No, the speaker only plays audio from one device at a time. If you want to switch which device is playing, go to Bluetooth settings on the new device and select the Beats Pill. The speaker will stop playing from the old device and connect to the new one.

What if I forgot which device my Beats Pill is paired with?

Turn on the speaker and it will try to connect to the device it was last used with. If that's not the device you want, go to Bluetooth settings on your current phone or computer and select the Beats Pill from the available devices list. It will connect when ready.

Do I need the Beats app to connect the speaker?

No, the Beats Pill connects through your phone or computer's built-in Bluetooth settings. The Beats app is optional and only adds features like firmware updates and sound adjustments. You can use the speaker without ever installing the app.

How far away can I be from the Beats Pill while it's playing?

The Beats Pill has a Bluetooth range of about 30 feet in open space. Walls, metal objects, and other obstacles can reduce this distance. If you move beyond the range, the speaker pauses and reconnects automatically when you come back within range.