The basic pairing process for Beats headphones
To connect Beats headphones to a phone, tablet, or computer, turn on the headphones, go to your device's Bluetooth settings, and select the Beats model from the list of available devices. The headphones will stay paired after the first connection, so you won't have to repeat this process every time — they'll reconnect automatically when you turn them on and your device's Bluetooth is active.
The exact steps differ slightly depending on whether you're using an iPhone, Android phone, Mac, Windows computer, or iPad, but the underlying principle is the same: your Beats headphones broadcast a signal, your device listens for it, and once they find each other, they exchange a small piece of information that lets them recognize each other in the future.
Key Takeaways
- Most Beats headphones power on automatically when you open the case or press the power button, and they enter pairing mode for the first 15 minutes.
- On iPhone and iPad, Beats headphones often appear in a popup window the moment you open the case, rather than requiring you to dig into settings.
- Android phones require you to manually open Bluetooth settings and select the Beats model from the available devices list.
- Once paired, your Beats will reconnect to the same device automatically each time you turn them on, as long as Bluetooth is enabled.
- If your Beats won't connect, the most common fix is to forget the device in your Bluetooth settings and pair them again from scratch.
Pairing Beats with an iPhone or iPad
Open the case of your Beats headphones or press the power button. On most models, a popup window will appear on your iPhone or iPad screen within a few seconds, showing the Beats model name and a Connect button. Tap that button, and the pairing is complete.
If no popup appears, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, make sure Bluetooth is turned on, and look for your Beats model in the list of available devices. Tap the name to connect. The first time you pair, your device and headphones exchange information; after that, they'll recognize each other automatically.
If you're pairing a second device — say, you want the same Beats to work with both your iPhone and your Mac — repeat the same process on the second device. Your Beats will remember both devices and will connect to whichever one you use them with most recently.
Pairing Beats with an Android phone
Turn on your Beats headphones by pressing the power button or opening the case. Most Beats enter pairing mode automatically for the first 15 minutes after powering on; you'll usually see a light on the headphones blinking or changing color to indicate they're ready to pair.
On your Android phone, open Settings, tap Connected Devices or Bluetooth (the exact name varies by phone brand), and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Wait a few seconds for your phone to scan for nearby devices. Your Beats model should appear in the list. Tap it to connect.
Android phones don't always show a popup the way iPhones do, so you may need to actively look for your Beats in the settings menu. Once you tap the name, the pairing happens in the background, and you should see a Connected label appear next to the Beats model name.
Pairing Beats with a Mac or Windows computer
Turn on your Beats headphones. On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the top-right corner of the screen, or go to System Settings, then Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is on. Your Beats should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Click the name to connect.
On a Windows computer, go to Settings, then Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on, and your Beats should appear in the list. Click the name to pair. Windows computers sometimes take a few extra seconds to recognize Bluetooth devices, so if your Beats don't appear when ready, wait 10 to 15 seconds and refresh the list.
Computers remember paired Beats the same way phones do. Once you've paired them once, they'll reconnect automatically the next time you turn on the headphones and have Bluetooth enabled on the computer.
What to do if your Beats won't connect
If your Beats appear in the available devices list but won't actually connect, or if they connected once but won't reconnect, the fastest fix is to forget the device and pair again from scratch. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, Bluetooth, find your Beats in the list, tap the i icon next to the name, and select Forget This Device. Then turn your Beats off and on again, and pair them as if for the first time.
On Android, the process is similar: go to Bluetooth settings, find your Beats, tap and hold the name (or look for a settings icon), and select Forget or Unpair. On Mac or Windows, right-click or tap and hold the Beats name in Bluetooth settings and select Remove or Forget.
If your Beats still won't connect after forgetting and re-pairing, make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on (not just available), that your Beats have enough battery, and that you're not trying to pair with a device that's too far away. Bluetooth typically works within 30 feet, though walls and other electronics can reduce that range.
Switching your Beats between devices
Once your Beats are paired with multiple devices, they'll automatically connect to whichever device you used them with most recently. If you want to switch to a different device, turn off Bluetooth on the current device, then turn on Bluetooth on the device you want to use. Your Beats should connect within a few seconds.
Some Beats models, particularly the AirPods Pro and newer models, can switch between Apple devices automatically if you're signed into the same iCloud account. This means if you're using your Beats with your iPhone and then pick up your Mac, they may switch over without you having to do anything. This automatic switching only works between Apple devices that share the same account.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Beats stay in pairing mode?
Most Beats headphones stay in pairing mode for 15 minutes after you turn them on. If you don't connect them to a device during that window, they'll exit pairing mode and you'll need to turn them off and on again to pair with a new device. Some models have a dedicated pairing button you can hold to re-enter pairing mode at any time.
Can I use the same Beats with multiple people's devices?
Yes. Your Beats can be paired with as many devices as you want — a phone, tablet, computer, or even multiple phones. They'll remember all of them and reconnect to whichever one you use most recently. If someone else wants to use your Beats, you'll need to forget them from your device first, then have the other person pair them to their own device.
Why do my Beats keep disconnecting?
Disconnections usually happen because your device's Bluetooth is turning off, your Beats' battery is low, or something is physically blocking the signal between the two devices. Check that Bluetooth is still on, charge your Beats, and move closer to your device. If disconnections keep happening with one specific device, try forgetting and re-pairing.
Do I need to unpair my Beats before selling them?
Yes. Go to your Bluetooth settings, find your Beats in the list, and select Forget or Remove. This erases the pairing information from your device. You should also reset the Beats themselves to factory settings so the new owner can pair them to their own devices. Check your Beats model's manual for the reset process, as it varies by model.
What's the difference between pairing and connecting?
Pairing is the one-time process of introducing your Beats to a device so they can recognize each other in the future. Connecting is what happens every time you turn on your Beats and they automatically link to a device they've already been paired with. You only pair once per device; you connect every time you use them.