The basic pairing process for Beats
Beats headphones connect to your phone, laptop, or tablet through Bluetooth, which means they need to be in pairing mode the first time you use them. Most Beats models enter pairing mode automatically when you turn them on for the first time, or when you hold down the power button for about 10 seconds until you see a flashing light (usually white or blue). Once pairing mode is active, your device will see the Beats in its Bluetooth settings, and you tap the name to connect.
After that first pairing, your Beats will remember your device and reconnect automatically when you turn them on — as long as Bluetooth is enabled on both the headphones and your phone or computer. You do not need to go through the full pairing process again unless you reset the headphones or want to connect them to a different device.
Key Takeaways
- New Beats enter pairing mode automatically on first power-on, or by holding the power button for 10 seconds until the light flashes.
- Your device's Bluetooth settings will show the Beats model name; tap it once to pair, and the connection saves for future use.
- If your Beats do not appear in Bluetooth settings, make sure they are in pairing mode and within 30 feet of your device.
- Beats connected to one device will disconnect when you turn on Bluetooth on a different device, but you can switch back without re-pairing.
- If pairing fails, reset the Beats by holding the power button for 15 seconds, then try pairing again from a clean slate.
Finding Beats in your device's Bluetooth menu
On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is turned on. You should see your Beats model name appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Tap the name, and the pairing happens when ready — you will see "Connected" appear next to it.
On Android, the path is Settings, then Bluetooth (or Connected Devices, depending on your phone). Turn Bluetooth on, wait for the Beats to appear, and tap the name to connect. On a Mac, open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and follow the same steps. On Windows, go to Settings, Devices, Bluetooth & Devices, turn Bluetooth on, and tap the Beats name when it appears.
If the Beats do not show up in the list after 30 seconds, they may not be in pairing mode. Go back to the headphones, hold the power button for 10 seconds, and watch for the light to flash. Then return to your device's Bluetooth menu and look again.
What to do if pairing does not work
The most common reason pairing fails is that the Beats are not actually in pairing mode, or they are already paired to a different device and trying to reconnect to it instead. If you see the Beats in your Bluetooth list but the connection keeps dropping or failing, try forgetting the device first, then pairing again from scratch.
On iPhone, go to Settings, Bluetooth, find the Beats name, tap the info icon next to it, and choose "Forget This Device." On Android, go to Settings, Bluetooth, long-press the Beats name, and tap "Unpair" or "Forget." On Mac, go to System Settings, Bluetooth, click the info icon next to the Beats, and choose "Remove." On Windows, go to Settings, Bluetooth & Devices, find the Beats, click it, and choose "Remove Device." After that, put the Beats back in pairing mode and pair them again as if it were the first time.
If the Beats still will not pair, reset them completely by holding the power button for 15 seconds — you should see the light flash red and white. This wipes all saved pairings and returns the headphones to factory settings. Then put them in pairing mode again and try connecting to your device.
Switching Beats between multiple devices
Once your Beats are paired to one device, you can pair them to other devices too — a phone, a tablet, a laptop, and so on. Each pairing is saved in the Beats' memory, so they will try to reconnect to whichever device they were last used with. If you want to use them with a different device, turn off Bluetooth on the first device, then turn on Bluetooth on the second device. The Beats will disconnect from the first and reconnect to the second within a few seconds.
You do not have to unpair or forget the Beats to switch devices — just manage which device has Bluetooth turned on. If you want to remove a device from the Beats' memory entirely (for example, if you sold an old phone), you can reset the headphones, which clears all pairings at once.
Understanding the pairing light and what it means
The light on your Beats tells you what is happening. A flashing white or blue light means the headphones are in pairing mode and waiting for a connection. A solid light (usually white or blue, depending on the model) means they are connected to a device. A flashing red light usually means the battery is low. A red and white flashing light appears when you reset the headphones.
Different Beats models use slightly different light colors — some use white, some use blue, some use both — but the pattern is the same across the line. If you are not sure what your specific model's lights mean, check the small instruction card that came in the box, or search for your model name plus "pairing light" online.
Why your Beats keep disconnecting
If your Beats connect fine at first but then drop the connection, the most likely cause is that they are moving out of Bluetooth range (more than 30 to 50 feet away from your device, depending on obstacles) or that Bluetooth is being turned off on your device. Try moving closer to your phone or computer and see if the connection comes back.
Another common cause is that your device is trying to connect to multiple Bluetooth devices at once — for example, your car's stereo and your Beats both trying to connect when you get in the car. In that case, go to your device's Bluetooth settings and disconnect the other device, or turn off Bluetooth on it entirely. If disconnections keep happening even when nothing else is paired, try forgetting the Beats and pairing them again from scratch, as described above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my Beats every time I use them?
No. After the first pairing, your Beats will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and Bluetooth is enabled on your device. You only need to pair them again if you reset the headphones, forget the device in your Bluetooth settings, or want to connect them to a completely different device for the first time.
Can I use my Beats with more than one device at the same time?
No, Beats can only play audio from one device at a time. However, they can be paired to multiple devices in their memory, and you can switch between them by turning Bluetooth off on one device and on on another. The Beats will disconnect from the first and reconnect to the second.
Why does my Beats name not show up in Bluetooth settings?
Make sure the Beats are powered on and in pairing mode — hold the power button for 10 seconds until the light flashes. Also check that Bluetooth is turned on in your device's settings. If they still do not appear, try moving closer to your device, as Bluetooth range is limited. If nothing works, reset the Beats by holding the power button for 15 seconds and try again.
What if my Beats are already paired to someone else's phone?
Reset the Beats by holding the power button for 15 seconds until the light flashes red and white. This erases all saved pairings. Then put them in pairing mode and pair them to your device. The previous owner's phone will no longer be able to connect.
Can I pair Beats to a computer and a phone at the same time?
Your Beats can be paired to both devices in their memory, but they will only play audio from one at a time. If your phone and computer both have Bluetooth on, the Beats will usually stay connected to whichever device they connected to first. To switch, turn Bluetooth off on one device and the Beats will reconnect to the other.