News How to pair Bose Bluetooth headphones with any device

In order for your device to recognize your Bose headphones, go to your device’s settings (usually indicated by a gear icon) and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

The key to activating Bose pairing mode is a small switch or button the same color as the hardware.

Over-ear headphones, like the QuietComfort 45s, have a switch on the earcup. Slide the switch to the “On” position until the blue light starts blinking blue.

For earbuds, such as the QuietComfort II Earbuds, the button is located on the back of the housing. Press the button for about 2 seconds. Let go of the button when you see the slow blinking blue light.

On the on-ear and on-ear models, a blue light means you’ve activated Bose’s Bluetooth feature and your headphones are ready to pair.

If the headset is already in your ear, you will also hear a voice saying “Ready to pair”.

After the light starts blinking, release the button and look at the Bluetooth device menu in your phone, tablet or computer settings or the Bose Music app. Your Bose headphones will appear as a connection option in the Bluetooth devices menu.

Tap the Bose option, then put the headphones on or in your ears.

Next, don’t be surprised like a ZDNET editor paired her Bose headphones for the first time. To signal a connection, the earbuds will make a swishing sound, followed by a robotic voice notifying you of a successful connection and updated battery level.

Luckily, the robotic voice doesn’t signal a Terminator-style takeover just yet, just a sign that your headphones are connected and ready to listen.

To make sure your iPhone’s Bluetooth setting is turned on, go to your settings (gear icon), select the Bluetooth option, and make sure the Bluetooth switch at the top is turned on (shown in green).

You can also swipe down from the top right corner of the home screen and tap the Bluetooth switch for quick access.

Press and hold the button on the case of the Bose earbuds or slide the button on the eartips of the circumaural headphones. Wait for the blinking blue light to flash and let go of the button.

The Bose headphones will appear in the Bluetooth menu as a device connection option. Put the earbuds in your ears or put on the earmuffs and select a Bose device. You may have to wait for the phone to buffer, but a robotic voice will tell you “connected successfully” and provide a battery percentage update when pairing is complete.

The same process applies to connecting to an iPad or other iOS device.

The process of pairing your Bose headphones with your Mac is intuitive. In the Mac dock, select the System Preferences icon (gear). Here, select the Bluetooth option and make sure the Bluetooth setting is turned on so your headset can recognize your computer as a connection point.

When pairing your headphones, keep the Bluetooth setting turned on by pressing and holding the connect button on the earbuds or toggling the Bluetooth switch on the earcups until you see a blue light.

Your Mac will recognize your headphones, and your Bose device name will pop up as a device option. Put the headset on or over your ear and select the Connect button.

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After the connection is successful, you will hear a robot voice telling you that the connection is successful, and all listening is waiting.

On your Android device, swipe down on the home screen and select the gear icon in the upper right corner. From there, select the “Connect” option and make sure the Bluetooth switch (the third option down) is turned on.

You can also swipe down twice on the home screen and tap Bluetooth Quick Switch.

Select the Bluetooth option from the Connection menu. Then, press or slide the Bose connect button until you see the blue light start blinking. This may take a few seconds, but you’ll eventually see the name of your Bose headphone pop up under the “Available Devices” menu.

Select your headset and press the “Pair” button when prompted by your Android phone.

Put the headset on or over your ear to hear a connection tone and the headset’s battery percentage.

Find your settings menu on your PC, usually in the dock. Make sure the Bluetooth setting is turned on so your headphones can pair easily.

Just like connecting the headset to other devices, press or turn on the connect button until it starts flashing blue.

Under the Bluetooth menu, select “Add a device” or your PC’s equivalent invitation to connect a new device. Follow the connection prompts until you hear “Connected.”

The Bose Music app, available from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, is the control center for Bose devices. The app allows you to create a fun nickname for your headphones, such as “Earphoria,” adjust the EQ, and quickly pair them.

Download the app to your iOS or Android device and set up an account.

After creating an account, select the “Set up a new product” option. From there, select the “Headphones & Frames” option from the settings menu.

Make sure your Bose headphones are charged, in range and in pairing mode (blinking blue light), the app will recognize your product and invite you to connect.

Select the “Connect” button and wait a few seconds for the pairing process to complete.

The app interface will change from the Connect screen to a widget showing your headset make and model, battery percentage, and connected devices. Tap the widgets to further adjust the EQ or switch between modes as you listen.

From here, all that’s left to do is place the headphones in or over your ears and lock in the sound.