The basic pairing process for any Beats model
Connecting Beats to your phone, computer, or tablet takes about two minutes the first time, then happens automatically afterward. Turn on your Beats, hold the power button until the light flashes (usually 5 to 10 seconds), then open your device's Bluetooth settings and tap the Beats model name when it appears. Your device will confirm the connection, and you're done.
The exact button location and light color vary by model. AirPods Max have a button on the back. Beats Studio Pro have a button on the left ear cup. Beats Fit Pro have a button on the case. Check the quick-start card that came with your Beats or search "[your model] pairing mode" to find the exact spot and what color the light should be.
Once paired, your Beats will reconnect to that device automatically whenever they're powered on and in range. You don't need to repeat the pairing process unless you factory reset the Beats or deliberately unpair them.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on your Beats and hold the power button until the light flashes, which puts them in pairing mode and makes them visible to your device.
- Open your device's Bluetooth settings, find your Beats model in the list, and tap it to complete the connection.
- After the first pairing, your Beats will reconnect automatically to that device whenever you turn them on.
- If your Beats don't appear in the Bluetooth list, make sure they're in pairing mode and that Bluetooth is turned on on your device.
- You can pair the same Beats to multiple devices, but they will only connect to one device at a time.
Where to find Bluetooth settings on different devices
On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure it's turned on. Your Beats will appear in the "Available Devices" section once they're in pairing mode. On Android phones, open Settings, go to Connected Devices or Bluetooth (the exact name varies by phone brand), and turn Bluetooth on. Your Beats will show up in the available list.
On Windows computers, open Settings, go to Devices, then Bluetooth & Devices, and make sure Bluetooth is on. On Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then Bluetooth. In all cases, your Beats must be in pairing mode (flashing light) before they'll show up in the list.
Some devices also let you pair through their own apps. The Beats app on iPhone and Android shows your Beats battery level and lets you adjust sound settings, but you still need to pair through Bluetooth settings first. The app is optional — your Beats will work without it.
Pairing mode: what it is and how to enter it
Pairing mode is a temporary state where your Beats broadcast their presence to nearby devices so they can find and connect to them. Without pairing mode, your Beats stay hidden from devices that haven't connected to them before. Once you've paired your Beats to a device, you don't need to enter pairing mode again for that device — they'll reconnect on their own.
To enter pairing mode, power on your Beats and hold the power button longer than you normally would to turn them on. Most models require 5 to 10 seconds. The light will flash — usually white or blue — which signals that pairing mode is active. The light will stop flashing once a device connects to them.
If your Beats don't appear in your device's Bluetooth list after you've held the power button, they may not be in pairing mode. Try holding the button for a full 10 seconds, or check the manual for your specific model. Some Beats models have a separate pairing button rather than using the power button.
Connecting to multiple devices and switching between them
You can pair the same Beats to as many devices as you want — an iPhone, a Mac, a Windows laptop, and an iPad all at once. However, your Beats will only play audio from one device at a time. When you want to switch, you straightforward play audio on a different device, and your Beats will disconnect from the first one and connect to the second.
Some Beats models, like AirPods Max and Beats Studio Pro, will automatically switch to whichever Apple device you're using if you're signed into the same iCloud account. If you're using non-Apple devices or different accounts, you'll need to manually switch by pausing audio on one device and playing it on another.
If you want to remove a device from your Beats' paired list, go to your Beats' Bluetooth settings on that device and select "Forget" or "Unpair". Then your Beats will no longer automatically reconnect to it. You can pair it again anytime by entering pairing mode.
Troubleshooting: Beats won't show up or won't stay connected
If your Beats don't appear in your device's Bluetooth list, first check that Bluetooth is turned on on your device. Then make sure your Beats are powered on and in pairing mode — the light should be flashing. If the light isn't flashing, hold the power button for a full 10 seconds. Wait 10 seconds and check the Bluetooth list again.
If your Beats still don't appear, try restarting both your Beats and your device. Power off your Beats completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on. Then restart your device. After both have restarted, enter pairing mode on your Beats again and try to connect.
If your Beats connect but then disconnect after a few seconds, they may already be paired to another device that's nearby and trying to connect. Turn off Bluetooth on any other devices in the area, then try pairing again. You can also factory reset your Beats by holding the power button for 15 seconds (the light will flash red, then white), which clears all previous pairings and lets you start fresh.
Pairing Beats with older devices or non-Apple products
Beats work with any device that supports Bluetooth, including older phones, Android tablets, Windows computers, and smart speakers. The pairing process is the same: enter pairing mode on your Beats, open Bluetooth settings on your device, and select your Beats from the list.
Some older devices may take longer to find your Beats, or the Beats name in the list might include numbers or letters you don't recognize. This is normal — select the entry that matches your Beats model. If you're unsure which one is yours, check the model name on the Beats themselves or in the quick-start guide.
If you're pairing Beats to a device that doesn't have a touchscreen (like a car stereo or older laptop), you may need to confirm the pairing on both the device and the Beats. Some devices will ask you to enter a PIN code — try 0000 or 1234, or check the device manual. Once paired, reconnection should be automatic.
What to do if you forget which device your Beats are paired to
If your Beats are already paired to a device you no longer use and won't reconnect to your new device, factory reset your Beats. Hold the power button for 15 seconds until the light flashes red and then white. This erases all previous pairings. Then enter pairing mode again (hold the power button for 5 to 10 seconds until the light flashes) and pair to your current device.
Factory resetting will also clear any custom settings you've made in the Beats app, so you may need to adjust sound or noise cancellation settings again after the reset. However, it's the fastest way to clear old pairings if you can't access the previous device.
If you still have access to the old device, you can unpair your Beats from it instead. Go to Bluetooth settings on that device, find your Beats in the paired devices list, and select "Forget" or "Unpair". Then your Beats will no longer automatically reconnect to it, and you can pair them to your new device without a factory reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Beats keep disconnecting from my phone?
Beats usually disconnect because another device they're paired to is nearby and trying to connect. Turn off Bluetooth on other devices, or unpair your Beats from devices you no longer use. If disconnections happen even when no other devices are around, try moving closer to your phone, as weak signal can cause drops. If the problem persists, factory reset your Beats and pair them again.
Can I use my Beats with two devices at the same time?
No, Beats only play audio from one device at a time. However, you can pair them to multiple devices and switch between them by playing audio on a different device. Your Beats will automatically disconnect from the first device and connect to the second one.
What does the flashing light mean on my Beats?
A flashing light means your Beats are in pairing mode and ready to connect to a device. Once a device connects, the light will stop flashing and may turn solid or off, depending on your model. If the light is red, your battery is low. Check your Beats manual for what other light colors mean on your specific model.
Do I need the Beats app to use my Beats?
No, the Beats app is optional. Your Beats will work without it once they're paired through Bluetooth settings. The app lets you check battery level and adjust sound settings, but basic pairing and audio playback don't require it.
How do I know if my Beats are actually in pairing mode?
Your Beats are in pairing mode when the light is flashing. The color varies by model — it might be white, blue, or another color — but the flashing motion is the key sign. If you hold the power button and the light doesn't flash, try holding it longer, or check your model's manual for the correct button location.