The basic steps to pair Beats with your device

To connect Beats headphones to a phone, tablet, or computer, turn on the headphones, open your device's Bluetooth settings, and select the Beats model from the list that appears. The first time you pair them, the Beats will enter pairing mode automatically — you'll see a flashing light (usually white or blue) on the headphones. After that first pairing, they'll reconnect on their own when you turn them on and Bluetooth is enabled on your device.

The exact steps depend on what you're pairing to. An iPhone or iPad will show a popup asking you to confirm the connection. An Android phone requires you to go into Settings > Bluetooth, turn it on, and tap the Beats name when it appears. A Mac or Windows computer also uses the Bluetooth settings menu, though the path varies slightly between operating systems.

If the Beats don't show up in your device's Bluetooth list, make sure they're charged, powered on, and within 30 feet of the device you're trying to pair with. If they still don't appear after 30 seconds, turn the Beats off and on again — this usually resets them into pairing mode.

Key Takeaways

  • Beats enter pairing mode automatically the first time you turn them on, showing a flashing light on the headphones.
  • After the first pairing, Beats reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and your device's Bluetooth is enabled.
  • If Beats don't appear in your Bluetooth list, restart them and make sure they're charged and within 30 feet of your device.
  • You can pair the same Beats with multiple devices, but they will only connect to one device at a time.
  • Forgetting a pairing and re-pairing fixes most connection problems, including when Beats won't reconnect or keep dropping.

Pairing Beats with an iPhone or iPad

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad, tap Bluetooth, and turn it on if it's off. Your Beats should appear in the list within a few seconds. Tap the Beats name, and a popup will ask you to confirm the connection — tap "Connect" or "Pair". Once connected, you'll see a checkmark next to the Beats name and a small Bluetooth icon in the status bar at the top of your screen.

If you see "Not Connected" next to the Beats name even after tapping them, wait a few seconds and try again. Sometimes the connection takes a moment to establish. If the Beats still don't connect, restart them by holding the power button for 10 seconds until the light flashes, then try pairing again.

Pairing Beats with Android phones

Go to Settings, find Bluetooth (usually under "Connected devices" or "Connections"), and turn it on. Wait for your Beats to appear in the list of available devices — this usually takes 10 to 15 seconds. Tap the Beats name, and your phone will connect. You'll see a checkmark next to the name and a Bluetooth icon in the status bar when the connection is active.

Android phones sometimes show Beats as "unpaired" even after you've connected them once. If this happens, tap the settings icon (usually a gear or three dots) next to the Beats name and select "Forget" or "Unpair". Then turn your Beats off and on again, and pair them fresh. This resets the connection and usually solves the problem.

Pairing Beats with Mac or Windows computers

On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar (top right of the screen) and select "Open Bluetooth Preferences". Make sure Bluetooth is on. Your Beats should appear in the list — click them to connect. On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices, turn Bluetooth on, and click "Add device". Select "Bluetooth" from the popup, wait for your Beats to appear, and click them to pair.

Computers sometimes take longer to recognize Beats than phones do — wait at least 30 seconds before assuming they're not showing up. If your Beats still don't appear, restart them and try again. If you've paired them with your computer before but they won't reconnect, remove them from the Bluetooth list and pair them fresh.

Connecting Beats to multiple devices

You can pair the same Beats with as many devices as you want — a phone, tablet, laptop, and a friend's device all at once. However, Beats can only play audio from one device at a time. When you turn on the Beats, they'll automatically connect to whichever device you used them with most recently.

If you want to switch to a different device, pause or stop playback on the current device, then start playing audio on the device you want to use. The Beats will disconnect from the first device and connect to the second one. This usually happens within a few seconds, though it can take up to 10 seconds on some devices.

Fixing connection problems

If your Beats keep disconnecting, won't reconnect, or connect but produce no sound, the fastest fix is to forget the pairing and pair them again from scratch. On your device, go to the Bluetooth settings, find your Beats, and select "Forget", "Unpair", or "Remove". Then turn your Beats off and on, and pair them as if it's the first time.

If the Beats still won't connect after re-pairing, check that your device's Bluetooth is actually on — it's straightforward to accidentally turn it off. Also make sure the Beats are charged; if the battery is very low, they may not pair reliably. If you're pairing with a computer, restart the computer and try again. If nothing works, reset the Beats by holding the power button for 15 seconds until the light flashes rapidly, then pair them fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Beats keep disconnecting?

Beats usually disconnect when your device's Bluetooth is turned off, when you move more than 30 feet away, or when another device tries to connect to them. If they disconnect randomly while you're close to your device, forget the pairing and re-pair them. If the problem continues, reset the Beats by holding the power button for 15 seconds until the light flashes rapidly.

Can I use Beats with two devices at the same time?

No, Beats can only play audio from one device at a time. You can pair them with multiple devices, but they'll only connect to one. To switch devices, pause playback on the current device and start playing on the device you want to use.

Why don't my Beats show up in the Bluetooth list?

Make sure the Beats are powered on and charged. If the battery is very low, they may not enter pairing mode. Also check that your device's Bluetooth is turned on and that you're within 30 feet of the Beats. If they still don't appear, restart the Beats by turning them off and on again.

Do I have 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 your device's Bluetooth is enabled. You only need to pair them again if you forget the pairing, reset the Beats, or pair them with a different device for the first time.

What does the flashing light on my Beats mean?

A flashing white or blue light means the Beats are in pairing mode and ready to connect to a device. A solid light usually means they're connected. If the light is off or very dim, the battery may be low or the Beats may be powered off.