The basic pairing process for Beats Studio
To connect Beats Studio headphones to your device, turn them on, hold down the power button until the LED light flashes red and white, then go to your device's Bluetooth settings and select "Beats Studio" from the list. The headphones enter pairing mode automatically the first time you power them on, or you can force them back into pairing mode by holding the power button for 15 seconds until you see that red-and-white flash.
Once you select them in your Bluetooth menu, the connection completes in a few seconds. Your device will remember this pairing, so the next time you turn on the headphones near that device, they should connect without you doing anything — as long as Bluetooth is on and no other device is actively using them.
The process is the same whether you're pairing with an iPhone, Android phone, Mac, Windows computer, or tablet. The only difference is where you find the Bluetooth settings, but the headphones themselves behave identically.
Key Takeaways
- Beats Studio enter pairing mode when you hold the power button for 15 seconds until the light flashes red and white.
- Once paired, the headphones automatically reconnect to devices they have seen before, as long as Bluetooth is turned on.
- If the headphones connect to the wrong device, you can manually select them in Bluetooth settings or forget the pairing and start over.
- The Beats app on your phone or computer can show battery level and let you rename the headphones, but pairing works without it.
What to do if they won't enter pairing mode
If the LED light doesn't flash red and white after holding the power button, the battery may be too low. Plug the headphones into a USB-C charger for at least 15 minutes, then try again. A completely dead battery can take 30 minutes to hold enough charge for pairing to work.
If the light still doesn't flash after charging, try a force restart: hold the power button down for 30 seconds without releasing, even if the light turns off. This clears the headphones' memory and forces them back to factory settings, which means you'll need to pair them again with all your devices.
If you've already paired the headphones with another device and they keep reconnecting to that device instead of entering pairing mode, forget the pairing on the old device first. Go to that device's Bluetooth settings, find "Beats Studio" in the list of paired devices, and select "Forget" or "Remove." Then try pairing with your new device.
Connecting to a second or third device
Beats Studio can remember up to eight different devices. Once you've paired them with your phone, you can pair the same headphones with your laptop, tablet, or a friend's phone — the headphones store all these pairings in memory.
To pair with a new device without erasing the old pairing, straightforward turn on the headphones and go to the new device's Bluetooth settings. The headphones should appear in the list without needing to hold the power button again. Select them, and they connect to the new device while keeping the old pairing intact.
When you have multiple devices paired, the headphones will try to reconnect to whichever device they were last used with. If you want them to connect to a different device, manually select "Beats Studio" in that device's Bluetooth menu. The headphones will switch over when ready.
Using the Beats app to manage your headphones
The Beats app (available on iPhone, iPad, and Android) shows your headphones' battery level, lets you rename them, and provides firmware updates. You don't need the app to pair or use the headphones — pairing through Bluetooth settings works completely on its own.
If you read the app, it will find your headphones automatically once they're paired via Bluetooth. The app's main use is checking battery without turning on the headphones and updating the firmware when Apple releases new versions. Firmware updates usually add small improvements or fix bugs, but they're not required for basic use.
The app also lets you customize sound settings like bass and treble, and it shows you which device the headphones are currently connected to. If you lose the headphones, the app can play a sound to help you find them, though this only works if they're already paired and within Bluetooth range.
Troubleshooting a weak or dropping connection
Bluetooth range is typically 30 feet in an open space, but walls, metal, and other wireless devices can reduce this. If your connection drops when you move to another room, move closer to your device or remove obstacles between the headphones and the source.
If the connection drops even when you're close, try forgetting the pairing and pairing again from scratch. Go to your device's Bluetooth settings, select "Beats Studio," and choose "Forget." Then hold the power button on the headphones for 15 seconds to re-enter pairing mode, and pair them again. A fresh pairing often fixes intermittent drops.
If drops continue, check whether other Bluetooth devices nearby are interfering. Microwaves, Wi-Fi routers, and other wireless headphones all use the same frequency as Bluetooth. Try using the headphones in a different location, or turn off other Bluetooth devices temporarily to see if the connection stabilizes.
Connecting to devices without Bluetooth
Beats Studio have Bluetooth only — they do not have a 3.5mm headphone jack or wired connection option. If you need to use them with a device that has no Bluetooth (an older laptop, a car stereo, or a gaming console), you would need a separate Bluetooth adapter, which plugs into the device's USB port or headphone jack and creates a Bluetooth receiver.
These adapters are inexpensive and widely available, but they add an extra step. For most modern devices — phones, tablets, laptops, and newer cars — Bluetooth is built in and pairing is straightforward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Beats keep connecting to my old phone instead of my new one?
The headphones remember all paired devices and try to reconnect to the last one they used. Forget the pairing on your old phone by going to its Bluetooth settings, finding "Beats Studio," and selecting "Forget." Then manually select the headphones in your new phone's Bluetooth menu to make them connect there instead.
Can I use my Beats Studio with two devices at the same time?
No, Beats Studio can only play audio from one device at a time. They can be paired with multiple devices, but they actively connect to just one. To switch, manually select them in the other device's Bluetooth menu, and they disconnect from the first device and connect to the second.
Do I need to pair my Beats every time I use them?
No. Once paired, they automatically reconnect to any device they've seen before, as long as Bluetooth is on. You only need to manually pair them the first time, or if you forget the pairing and start over.
What does the LED light color mean?
Red and white flashing means pairing mode is active. Solid white or blue means they're connected. Red or orange usually means low battery. If the light doesn't turn on at all, the battery is dead and needs charging.
Can I pair my Beats with a smartwatch?
Yes, if the smartwatch has Bluetooth. The pairing process is the same: hold the power button until the light flashes, then select "Beats Studio" in the watch's Bluetooth settings. Keep in mind that smartwatches have smaller screens, so navigating Bluetooth settings may be slower than on a phone.