Apple headphones connect to your iPhone through Bluetooth, a wireless connection that pairs devices once and then reconnects automatically
When you first turn on AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or Beats headphones near your iPhone, a setup screen appears on your phone asking if you want to connect them. Tap "Connect" and the pairing is done — your headphones will reconnect to that iPhone every time you turn them on, without you having to do anything else. If the setup screen does not appear, or if you are adding headphones to a phone that already has other Apple headphones paired, you go through the Bluetooth settings instead.
The process takes about one minute the first time. After that, your headphones turn on and connect automatically whenever they are near your iPhone and you start playing audio.
Key Takeaways
- New Apple headphones show a setup screen on your iPhone automatically — tap "Connect" and pairing is complete.
- If the setup screen does not appear, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, turn Bluetooth on, and select your headphones from the list.
- Once paired, your headphones reconnect to your iPhone automatically every time you turn them on.
- If your headphones do not appear in the Bluetooth list, make sure they are powered on and in pairing mode, which usually means holding the button on the back for three to five seconds.
The automatic setup screen for new headphones
When you unbox Apple headphones for the first time and turn them on near your iPhone, your phone detects them and displays a setup card on your screen. This card shows the name of the headphones, their battery level, and a blue "Connect" button. Tap that button once.
Your iPhone then pairs with the headphones and confirms the connection with a checkmark and the word "Connected." From that moment on, whenever you turn on those headphones near your iPhone, they will connect automatically without any action from you. The same headphones will also connect to your other Apple devices — iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — if they are signed into the same iCloud account.
Connecting through Bluetooth settings if the setup screen does not appear
If you do not see the automatic setup screen, or if you are adding a second pair of headphones to your iPhone, use the Bluetooth settings. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, scroll down and tap "Bluetooth," then toggle the Bluetooth switch to on if it is off.
Your iPhone will then show a list of available devices. Make sure your headphones are powered on and in pairing mode — for most Apple headphones, this means holding the button on the back or side for three to five seconds until you see a light flash or hear a sound. Once they are in pairing mode, they will appear in the Bluetooth list on your iPhone. Tap the name of your headphones to connect.
After you tap them once, they move to the "My Devices" section at the top of the Bluetooth settings and show "Connected" underneath. You can now close Settings and use your headphones.
What to do if your headphones do not show up in the Bluetooth list
If your headphones are not appearing in the Bluetooth list after you turn them on, the most common reason is that they are not in pairing mode. Check the manual or the Apple Support page for your specific headphones to find the exact button and how long to hold it — for AirPods it is the button on the back of the case, for AirPods Pro it is the button on the stem, and for Beats it varies by model.
If you have already held the button and still do not see them, try turning your headphones off and on again, then putting them back into pairing mode. If they still do not appear, restart your iPhone by holding the power button and swiping to power off, then turning it back on. After your iPhone restarts, turn your headphones on and try again.
If your headphones have been paired to another device recently — another iPhone, a Mac, or an Android phone — they may still be trying to connect to that device instead. Turn off Bluetooth on that other device, or unpair the headphones from it, then try pairing them to your iPhone again.
Reconnecting headphones that were previously paired
Once you have connected your headphones to your iPhone, they stay paired even after you turn them off. The next time you turn them on, they will reconnect automatically as long as Bluetooth is on on your iPhone. You do not need to go back to Settings or do anything at all.
If your headphones do not reconnect automatically, check that Bluetooth is turned on in Settings. If it is on but your headphones still do not connect, open the Bluetooth settings, find your headphones in the "My Devices" list, and tap them once to reconnect manually. If they are no longer in the list, they may have been unpaired — follow the pairing steps above to add them again.
Switching headphones between devices
If you have multiple pairs of Apple headphones, or if you want to use the same pair with both your iPhone and your Mac or iPad, you can switch them by going to Bluetooth settings and tapping the headphones you want to use. Only one pair can be connected at a time, but switching takes just a few seconds.
If your headphones are paired to multiple Apple devices on the same iCloud account, they may try to connect to whichever device you used them with most recently. To force them to connect to your iPhone instead, open Bluetooth settings on your iPhone and tap your headphones, or straightforward start playing audio on your iPhone and they will switch over automatically.
Troubleshooting when headphones connect but sound does not work
If your headphones show as "Connected" in Bluetooth settings but you hear no sound when you play music or a video, first check the volume on your iPhone — press the volume up button on the side of the phone to make sure it is not muted or turned all the way down. Also check the volume on the headphones themselves if they have volume controls.
If volume is not the problem, try disconnecting and reconnecting. Go to Bluetooth settings, tap the information icon next to your headphones, and tap "Forget This Device." Then turn your headphones off and on again, put them in pairing mode, and pair them to your iPhone again from scratch. This usually fixes sound issues that happen after your headphones have been paired for a while.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair my Apple headphones every time I use them?
No. Once you pair them the first time, they stay paired to your iPhone permanently. Every time you turn them on, they reconnect automatically without any action from you. You only pair them once, when they are brand new or when you are adding them to a new iPhone.
Can I use the same Apple headphones with my iPhone and my Mac?
Yes. If both devices are signed into the same iCloud account, your headphones will pair to both. They can only be connected to one device at a time, but you can switch between them by opening Bluetooth settings on whichever device you want to use and tapping your headphones.
What does pairing mode mean?
Pairing mode is a state where your headphones are actively looking for a device to connect to. You put them in pairing mode by holding a button for a few seconds — usually the button on the back or side of the headphones. Once they are in pairing mode, they show up in your iPhone's Bluetooth list so you can select them.
Why do my headphones keep disconnecting from my iPhone?
Disconnections usually happen because Bluetooth is turned off on your iPhone, or because your headphones are running low on battery. Check that Bluetooth is on in Settings and that your headphones have enough charge. If they keep disconnecting even with a full battery, try forgetting them in Bluetooth settings and pairing them again from scratch.
Can I pair non-Apple headphones to my iPhone?
Yes. Any headphones with Bluetooth can pair to an iPhone using the same process — turn them on, put them in pairing mode, open Bluetooth settings on your iPhone, and tap them from the list. The pairing process is identical whether the headphones are made by Apple, Beats, Sony, or another brand.