The basic pairing process for Bose Open Wire earbuds

Bose Open Wire earbuds pair through Bluetooth the same way most wireless earbuds do, but the process has one key difference: these earbuds have a physical button on the charging case rather than touch controls on the earbuds themselves. To connect them to your phone or device, you'll turn on Bluetooth on your device, then hold the button on the case for about three seconds until you see a white light flash. Your device will then detect "Bose Open Wire" in the available Bluetooth list, and you tap it to complete the connection.

The first time you pair is slightly longer than reconnecting later. Once the earbuds have been paired to a device once, they'll automatically reconnect to that same device the next time you turn them on and Bluetooth is active. If you want to pair them to a different device, you'll repeat the button-hold process on the new device.

Key Takeaways

  • The pairing button is on the charging case, not the earbuds — hold it for three seconds until the light flashes white.
  • Your device will show "Bose Open Wire" in the Bluetooth list once the case button is pressed; tap that name to complete pairing.
  • After the first pairing, the earbuds reconnect automatically to that device whenever Bluetooth is on.
  • To pair to a new device, press the case button again and select the new device from its Bluetooth list.
  • If pairing fails, make sure Bluetooth is turned on and no other device is actively connected to the earbuds.

Step-by-step: Pairing to your first device

Start with your earbuds in the charging case and the case closed. On your phone or device, go to Settings and turn on Bluetooth if it isn't already on. You don't need to search for devices yet — just make sure Bluetooth is active.

Now open the Bose Open Wire charging case. You'll see a small button on the back or side of the case (check your manual if you're unsure which side). Press and hold that button for about three seconds. You'll see a white light begin to flash on the case. This means the earbuds are now in pairing mode and broadcasting their signal.

Go back to your device's Bluetooth settings. Within a few seconds, "Bose Open Wire" should appear in the list of available devices. Tap that name. Your device will connect, and the light on the case will stop flashing and turn solid white, which means pairing is complete. You can now close the case and use the earbuds.

Reconnecting to the same device later

Once you've paired the earbuds to a device, they remember that connection. The next time you take the earbuds out of the case with Bluetooth turned on, they'll search for that device automatically. If your phone or device is nearby and Bluetooth is active, the earbuds will connect within a few seconds — no button pressing needed.

If the earbuds don't reconnect automatically after a few seconds, turn Bluetooth off and back on, or take the earbuds out of the case again. If that still doesn't work, check that Bluetooth is actually on and that you're not too far from the device (Bluetooth typically works within 30 feet).

Pairing to a second or third device

Bose Open Wire earbuds can be paired to multiple devices, but they can only connect to one at a time. If you want to use them with a second phone or tablet, you'll pair them the same way you did the first time: press the case button for three seconds until the light flashes, then select "Bose Open Wire" from the new device's Bluetooth list.

Once you've paired to a second device, the earbuds will remember both connections. When you use them, they'll try to connect to whichever device they were last connected to. If you want to switch to the other device, just turn Bluetooth off on the first device and turn it on on the second, then take the earbuds out of the case.

What to do if pairing isn't working

If "Bose Open Wire" doesn't appear in your Bluetooth list after you press the case button, first check that Bluetooth is actually turned on on your device. A common mistake is assuming Bluetooth is on when it's actually off. Go into Settings and confirm the toggle is switched on.

If Bluetooth is on but the earbuds still don't appear, try this: put the earbuds back in the case, close it, wait 10 seconds, then open it and press the button again. Sometimes the earbuds need a moment to reset. If you're trying to pair to a new device and the earbuds are still connected to an old device, disconnect them from the old device first by going into that device's Bluetooth settings and selecting "Forget" or "Remove" next to "Bose Open Wire".

If the light on the case doesn't flash at all when you press the button, the case battery might be low. Plug the case into a USB charger for at least 15 minutes and try again.

Understanding the light signals on the case

The light on the Bose Open Wire case tells you what's happening. A white flashing light means the earbuds are in pairing mode and looking for a device to connect to. A solid white light means the earbuds are connected and ready to use. A red or amber light usually means the battery is low. If the light doesn't turn on at all, the case needs to be charged.

If you see the light flashing but your device still doesn't detect the earbuds after 30 seconds, try moving closer to your device or away from other wireless devices that might be causing interference (like a microwave or Wi-Fi router).

Switching between devices without re-pairing

Once you've paired the earbuds to multiple devices, you don't have to pair them again each time you switch. Just disconnect them from the device you're currently using and connect them to the new one through that device's Bluetooth settings. Take the earbuds out of the case, go to the new device's Bluetooth list, and tap "Bose Open Wire" to connect.

If the earbuds are still trying to connect to the old device, turn Bluetooth off on that device first. The earbuds will then connect to whichever device you turn Bluetooth on for next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to press the button every time I use the earbuds?

No. After the first pairing, you only press the button if you're pairing to a new device. For the device you already paired to, just take the earbuds out of the case and they'll reconnect automatically as long as Bluetooth is on.

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

No, the earbuds can only be connected to one device at a time. You can pair them to multiple devices, but you'll need to disconnect from one and connect to another if you want to switch.

What if the earbuds won't stop trying to connect to my old phone?

Go into your old phone's Bluetooth settings, find "Bose Open Wire" in the list, and select "Forget" or "Remove." This erases that pairing. Then press the case button and pair to your new device instead.

How far away can my device be and still stay connected?

Bluetooth typically works within about 30 feet, though walls and other obstacles can reduce that range. If you move too far away, the connection will drop, but the earbuds will reconnect automatically when you come back in range.

Why does the light on the case keep flashing even after I paired?

If the light keeps flashing after pairing is complete, the connection didn't finish. Put the earbuds back in the case, wait 10 seconds, then open it and try pairing again. Make sure your device's Bluetooth is still on.