The basic pairing process for Beats

To connect Beats wireless headphones to your phone, tablet, or computer, turn on the headphones and hold the power button until the LED light flashes white or red. This puts the Beats into pairing mode. Then go to your device's Bluetooth settings, find the Beats model name in the list, and tap it. The connection usually happens within a few seconds.

The first time you pair a device, it takes a few extra seconds because your phone and the Beats are introducing themselves to each other. After that first pairing, they remember each other. The next time you turn on the Beats near that phone, they reconnect automatically without you doing anything.

If the Beats don't appear in your Bluetooth list, make sure Bluetooth is actually turned on in your device settings. On iPhones, swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the Bluetooth icon. On Android phones, go to Settings, then Connected Devices or Bluetooth. On Windows computers, go to Settings, then Devices, then Bluetooth.

Key Takeaways

  • Hold the power button on your Beats until the LED flashes white or red to enter pairing mode, then select them from your device's Bluetooth list.
  • After the first pairing, your Beats reconnect automatically when you turn them on near the same device.
  • If your Beats don't show up in Bluetooth settings, check that Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings menu.
  • Beats can pair with multiple devices, but they only connect to one at a time — to switch, disconnect from one device and turn the Beats off and back on near the new device.
  • If pairing fails, forget the Beats from your device's Bluetooth settings and start the pairing process over from the beginning.

Pairing Beats with an iPhone or iPad

iPhones and iPads are designed to pair with Beats quickly because Apple owns both companies. When you turn on Beats near an iPhone that has never paired with them before, you may see a pairing notification pop up on your screen. Tap "Connect" and the pairing happens when ready.

If that notification doesn't appear, go to Settings on your iPhone, tap Bluetooth, make sure it's turned on, and wait a few seconds for your Beats to show up in the list. Tap the Beats model name. Once paired, your Beats will appear under "My Devices" in that same Bluetooth menu.

If you want to unpair your Beats from an iPhone, go back to Settings, Bluetooth, find your Beats in the list, tap the info icon next to them, and select "Forget This Device." This removes them from your iPhone's memory, so the next time you want to use them you'll need to pair again.

Pairing Beats with Android phones

Android phones don't have the same automatic pairing notification that iPhones do, so you'll need to go into settings manually. Open Settings, look for "Connected Devices," "Bluetooth," or "Connections" depending on your phone brand, and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Your Beats should appear in the list within a few seconds of entering pairing mode.

Tap your Beats model name to connect. Once paired, they'll stay in your Bluetooth list and reconnect automatically when you turn them on. If you need to unpair them, go back to that same Bluetooth menu, find your Beats, and tap "Forget" or the settings icon next to them.

Some Android phones have a slightly different layout — Samsung phones, for example, use "Connections" instead of "Bluetooth" in the main settings menu. The steps are the same once you find the Bluetooth section, but the menu names vary by manufacturer.

Pairing Beats with Windows and Mac computers

On a Windows computer, go to Settings, select Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Hold the power button on your Beats until the LED flashes, then click "Add Bluetooth or other device" and select Bluetooth. Your Beats should appear in the list — click them to pair.

On a Mac, go to System Preferences, click Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is on. Hold the power button on your Beats until the LED flashes. Your Beats will appear in the list on the left side of the Bluetooth window. Click "Connect" next to them.

Once paired with a computer, your Beats will reconnect automatically when you turn them on and Bluetooth is enabled. If you need to disconnect them, click the X or "Disconnect" button next to the Beats name in your Bluetooth settings, but don't forget them unless you want to remove them completely.

Switching Beats between multiple devices

Beats can pair with as many devices as you want, but they only play audio from one device at a time. If you want to switch from your phone to your computer, turn off the Beats or go into your phone's Bluetooth settings and tap "Disconnect" next to the Beats name. Then turn the Beats back on near your computer.

The Beats will look for the last device they were connected to first. If that device is nearby and Bluetooth is on, they'll reconnect to it automatically. To force them to connect to a different device, disconnect them from the first device before turning them on near the second one.

Some Beats models have a multipoint feature that lets them stay connected to two devices at once and switch between them automatically when you start playing audio on a different device. Check your Beats model's manual or the Beats app to see if yours supports this — if it does, you can turn it on in the app settings.

Troubleshooting when Beats won't pair

If your Beats don't show up in your Bluetooth list, start by making sure Bluetooth is actually turned on in your device settings. Then turn the Beats off completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. Hold the power button for about 10 seconds until you see the LED flash white and red — this resets them to pairing mode.

If they still don't appear, forget the Beats from your device's Bluetooth settings and try pairing again from scratch. On iPhones, go to Settings, Bluetooth, tap the info icon next to the Beats, and select "Forget This Device." On Android, find the Beats in your Bluetooth list, tap the settings icon, and select "Forget." On Windows, go to Settings, Devices, Bluetooth, find the Beats, and click "Remove Device."

If pairing still fails, the Beats may need a full reset. Most Beats models have a small reset button you can press with a paperclip, or you can hold the power button for 15 to 20 seconds until the LED turns off completely, then turn them back on. Check your specific Beats model's manual for the exact reset steps, as they vary by model.

Using the Beats app for easier management

The Beats app, available on both iPhone and Android, makes pairing and managing your Beats simpler. When you open the app near unpaired Beats, it often detects them automatically and offers to pair them with one tap. The app also shows you battery level, lets you adjust sound settings, and tells you which device your Beats are currently connected to.

On iPhones, the Beats app integrates with Apple's ecosystem, so you can see your Beats battery in the Control Center and switch between devices more easily. On Android, the app gives you similar controls but the integration depends on your phone manufacturer.

You don't need the app to use your Beats — they work fine with just Bluetooth pairing. But if you have trouble pairing or want to adjust settings like noise cancellation or transparency mode, the app is worth downloading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Beats keep disconnecting from my phone?

Beats disconnect when they go out of Bluetooth range, when Bluetooth is turned off on your device, or when the battery is very low. If they disconnect even when you're close to your phone, try forgetting them from your Bluetooth settings and pairing again. If the problem continues, reset the Beats by holding the power button for 15 to 20 seconds.

Can I pair my Beats with two phones at the same time?

Beats can be paired with multiple devices in their memory, but they only connect to one at a time. To switch between phones, disconnect from one and turn the Beats off and back on near the other phone. Some newer Beats models support multipoint connection, which lets them stay connected to two devices and switch automatically — check your model's manual to see if yours has this feature.

What does the LED light color mean on my Beats?

A white flashing LED means the Beats are in pairing mode and ready to connect. A red flashing LED usually means the battery is low. A solid white or blue light means they're connected. If the LED doesn't light up at all, the battery may be completely dead and you need to charge them.

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

No. After the first pairing, your Beats remember your device. When you turn them on near that device with Bluetooth enabled, they reconnect automatically. You only need to pair again if you forget the Beats from your device's Bluetooth settings or if you're connecting to a completely new device.

Why won't my Beats show up in Bluetooth settings even though they're in pairing mode?

Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings — it's straightforward to miss. Also check that your Beats have enough battery to enter pairing mode. If the battery is completely dead, charge them for at least 15 minutes before trying again. If they still don't appear, reset the Beats by holding the power button for 15 to 20 seconds and try pairing once more.