How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to an iPhone or Android

To connect Bluetooth headphones to your phone, put the headphones in pairing mode and tap their name in the phone’s list of devices. On Android, swipe down from the top of the screen, touch and hold the Bluetooth icon and tap Pair new device. On an iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth and tap the headphones’ name. The step that trips most people up is pairing mode, which differs from one pair of headphones to the next, so it comes first below.

First, put the headphones in pairing mode

New headphones usually go into pairing mode on their own the first time you turn them on. If they were connected to another device before, you may have to start pairing mode by hand. Every maker does it differently, and the manual is the right source. Apple says the same: if the accessory doesn’t show up in the list, check its instructions for making it discoverable.

Google’s Android help notes that a blue light often signals pairing mode. Some accessories, like folio keyboards, have to be connected to the phone first.

Keep the headphones close to the phone while you pair. For iPhone, Apple’s user guide puts the maximum pairing distance at about 33 feet (10 meters).

AirPods: the gesture depends on the model

AirPods have two methods, according to Apple. With the case open, double-tap the front of the case until the status light flashes white on AirPods 4 (both versions), AirPods 5 (both versions) and AirPods Pro 3. On every other model, press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the light flashes white. Apple doesn’t give a hold time, so keep pressing until the light changes.

How to connect Bluetooth headphones on Android

Menu names vary a little between phone brands, but stock Android works like this:

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen.
2. Touch and hold the Bluetooth icon.
3. Tap Pair new device. If you don’t see it, look under “Available devices,” or tap More and then Refresh.
4. Tap the headphones’ name.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions. If it asks for a passcode and you don’t have one, Google suggests trying 0000 or 1234.

If a pairing notification pops up, Fast Pair can connect the accessory automatically. For Fast Pair to work, Google says to stay within 0.5 meters (1.6 feet) of the headphones, turn on Bluetooth and Location, and keep the phone connected to Wi-Fi or a mobile network.

How to reconnect paired headphones on Android

With Bluetooth on, touch and hold its icon in Quick Settings and, under Saved devices, tap the disconnected headphones. Once it says “Connected,” you’re set. The same screen has a gear icon next to each device with options to rename, disconnect or forget it.

How to connect Bluetooth headphones on an iPhone

1. Open Settings and tap Bluetooth. Make sure it’s on.
2. Under My Devices, find your headphones. If they don’t appear, put the headphones in pairing mode.
3. Tap the headphones’ name. If the phone asks for a PIN or passcode, it’s in the accessory’s documentation.
4. To pair another pair, repeat the steps.

When several Bluetooth devices are paired, you choose which one gets the audio.

How to forget headphones on an iPhone

Open Settings > Bluetooth, tap the More Info button (the “i”) next to the headphones and choose Forget this Device. Apple says this unpairs the accessory on every device signed in to your Apple Account. You can pair it again at any time.

Headphones won’t show up or connect: what to try

Apple and Google each publish a short list. This order combines both.

1. Turn the phone’s Bluetooth off and on, and restart the phone and the headphones.
2. Check the charge. Apple says to make sure the accessory is fully charged or plugged in.
3. Move closer. Apple recommends keeping the accessory near the iPhone.
4. If the headphones were paired with this phone before, forget them and pair again. On Android, go to Settings > Connected devices > Saved devices (or tap Bluetooth, depending on the phone), tap the gear next to the headphones and choose Forget. On an iPhone, use the steps above.
5. If the headphones pair with other devices but not yours, unpair them from the others and try again, as Apple advises.
6. On iPhone, if the accessory uses an app, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth and check that the app has permission.
7. Clear out devices you no longer use. Google suggests removing old devices from the phone as part of troubleshooting.

If Bluetooth is grayed out on the iPhone, or no accessory connects, Apple says to contact Apple Support. Google points to support too for problems the tips don’t fix.

Connected, but there’s no sound

If the headphones connect and the audio still plays from the phone’s speaker, Google suggests checking these, in order:

• The volume on the phone and on the headphones.
• Whether another paired device is playing the audio.
• Under Settings > Connected devices > Bluetooth > Saved devices, tap the gear next to the headphones and turn on Media audio. For calls, turn on Phone audio.

Frequently asked questions

Can I connect two Bluetooth headphones to one phone?

You can pair several, and the phone remembers them all. Apple explains that when multiple Bluetooth devices are paired, you pick which one provides the audio.

Do AirPods work with an Android phone?

Yes. Apple has a support page on using AirPods as a Bluetooth headset with a non-Apple device, and Google has its own guide. The pairing gesture follows the model rules described above.

What is the passcode to pair Bluetooth headphones?

Most don’t ask for one. If yours does, the manual has it. When you don’t have the code, Google suggests 0000 or 1234 on Android.

Should I leave Bluetooth on all the time?

No. Google advises turning it off when you aren’t using it to save battery. For more ideas, see our guide on making your phone battery last longer. If what you want is to share your phone’s connection with another device, our guide to using your phone as a hotspot covers that.