The basic steps to pair Beats with your device
To connect Beats to your phone or computer, you turn on Bluetooth on both devices, put your Beats into pairing mode, and select them from the Bluetooth menu. The exact steps depend on whether you own AirPods, Beats Studio Pro, Beats Fit Pro, or another Beats model — the pairing button location and how long you hold it varies — but the overall process is the same across all of them.
Most Beats models pair once and then reconnect automatically when you turn them on near your device. You only go through the full pairing steps the first time, or if you want to connect to a different device.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on Bluetooth in your device settings before you start, or your Beats will not appear in the list.
- Each Beats model has a different pairing button — check the manual or the bottom of the device to find yours.
- Hold the pairing button until you see a light flash (usually white or amber), which means the Beats are ready to connect.
- Once paired, your Beats will reconnect automatically when you turn them on, so you rarely need to repeat these steps.
How to put your Beats into pairing mode
Pairing mode is the state where your Beats are broadcasting their signal and waiting for a device to find them. To enter pairing mode, you hold down a specific button on the Beats themselves — not on your phone or computer. The button location and how long you hold it depends on your model.
For AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, hold the button on the back of the case (not the earbuds) for about 15 seconds until the light inside the case flashes white. For Beats Studio Pro, hold the power button for about 5 seconds until you see an amber light. For Beats Fit Pro, hold the button on the left earbud for about 5 seconds until the light flashes. If you own a different Beats model, the manual that came with them will show you exactly which button and how long to hold it.
The light flashing is your signal that pairing mode is active. If the light does not flash, release the button and try again — you may not have held it long enough.
Finding and selecting your Beats in the Bluetooth menu
Once your Beats are in pairing mode, open the Bluetooth settings on your phone or computer. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and toggle Bluetooth on if it is not already. On an Android phone, go to Settings, then Connected Devices or Bluetooth (the exact path varies by phone brand), and turn Bluetooth on. On a Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then Bluetooth. On Windows, click the Start menu, go to Settings, then Bluetooth & Devices.
Your Beats should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. The name will be something like "AirPods Pro," "Beats Studio Pro," or "Beats Fit Pro" — sometimes with a number at the end if you own multiple pairs. Tap or click the name to connect.
Your device will confirm the connection with a message or a checkmark next to the Beats name. This usually takes 5 to 10 seconds. Once connected, you can close the Bluetooth menu and start using your Beats.
What to do if your Beats do not appear in the Bluetooth list
If you do not see your Beats in the available devices list, the most common reason is that they are not actually in pairing mode. Go back and hold the pairing button again — hold it longer this time, until you definitely see the light flash. Some people release too early.
The second most common issue is that Bluetooth is turned off on your device. Double-check that Bluetooth is toggled on in your settings. On iPhones, also check that Bluetooth is not disabled in Control Center — swipe down from the top right corner and make sure the Bluetooth icon is not crossed out.
If your Beats are still not showing up, try restarting both devices. Turn off your Beats completely, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on. Then restart your phone or computer. After both devices restart, put your Beats back into pairing mode and check the Bluetooth menu again.
Reconnecting Beats you have already paired
Once you have paired your Beats to a device, they will reconnect automatically the next time you turn them on near that device. You do not need to go through the pairing steps again. Just turn on your Beats, wait a few seconds for them to connect, and you are ready to use them.
If your Beats do not reconnect automatically, make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your device settings. If Bluetooth is on but the Beats still do not connect, turn your Beats off and back on, or restart your device. Automatic reconnection usually works within 5 to 10 seconds of turning on your Beats.
Connecting the same Beats to a different device
Your Beats can be paired to multiple devices at once, but they can only play audio from one device at a time. If you want to switch which device your Beats are playing from, open the Bluetooth menu on the new device and select your Beats from the list. They will disconnect from the old device and connect to the new one.
You do not need to unpair your Beats from the first device to do this. They stay paired to both devices in the background. The next time you turn on your Beats near the first device, they will reconnect to it automatically unless you have them connected to the second device at that moment.
If you want to completely remove your Beats from a device so they no longer reconnect to it, go to the Bluetooth settings, find your Beats in the list of paired devices, and select "Forget" or "Remove." You will need to go through the full pairing steps again if you want to use them with that device in the future.
Troubleshooting connection problems after pairing
If your Beats are paired but the sound is cutting out, stuttering, or not playing at all, the issue is usually interference or distance. Bluetooth works best when your Beats and device are within 30 feet of each other and there are no thick walls or metal objects between them. Move closer to your device and away from other electronics like microwaves or Wi-Fi routers.
If sound is still not working, check that your Beats are actually selected as the audio output device. On iPhones, open Control Center and long-press the audio card in the top right — your Beats should be listed under "Audio" with a checkmark. On Android, go to Settings, Connected Devices, and make sure your Beats are listed as the active device. On computers, check the sound settings to confirm your Beats are set as the default output.
If your Beats keep disconnecting and reconnecting, try "forgetting" them from your device and pairing them again from scratch. This clears out any corrupted pairing information. The process takes about two minutes and often solves the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pair my Beats every time I use them?
No. Once you pair them the first time, they remember your device and reconnect automatically when you turn them on. You only pair once per device, unless you forget the pairing and start over.
Can I use my Beats with multiple devices at the same time?
Your Beats can be paired to multiple devices, but they can only play audio from one at a time. To switch which device they play from, select your Beats in the Bluetooth menu of the new device. They will disconnect from the old device and connect to the new one.
Why does my device not see my Beats in the Bluetooth list?
The most common reason is that your Beats are not in pairing mode. Hold the pairing button longer — you need to see the light flash. Also check that Bluetooth is turned on in your device settings. If neither of those works, restart both your Beats and your device.
What if my Beats were paired to someone else's device?
You can still pair them to your own device. Put your Beats into pairing mode and select them from your Bluetooth menu. They will pair to your device without affecting the old pairing. If you want to remove the old pairing, the other person would need to forget your Beats from their device settings.
How do I know if my Beats are actually connected?
On iPhones, open Control Center and look at the audio card — your Beats should be listed with a checkmark. On Android, go to Settings and Connected Devices — your Beats should show as "Connected." On computers, check the Bluetooth menu or sound settings. You can also play audio and listen for sound coming from your Beats instead of your device speaker.