Owen PalmerBy Owen Palmer

Updated November 2026

To connect Bose headphones to a new device, you put the headphones into pairing mode, then select them from the Bluetooth menu on your phone, tablet or computer. Most Bose models take under a minute once they are in pairing mode. If your headphones are still linked to an old device, you will need to clear that connection first so they stop trying to reconnect to it.

Before You Start

Charge the headphones to at least 50 percent so they do not shut off mid-pairing. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on at the new device, and keep the old phone or laptop nearby but Bluetooth-disabled if it is still active. Bose headphones can hold several paired devices at once, but many models connect to only one at a time, so a stale link to an old device can block the new one.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Beats by Dre Headphones vs Bose: Which Should You Choose? (2026).

  • Headphones charged to at least 50 percent
  • Bluetooth switched on at the new device
  • The old device nearby or turned off, to avoid automatic reconnection

How to Put Bose Headphones in Pairing Mode

Pairing mode is the state where the headphones broadcast themselves to nearby devices. The exact method depends on your model, but most Bose headphones use one of two approaches.

  1. Power the headphones off completely.
  2. Press and hold the Bluetooth button (on many models, the button with the Bluetooth symbol) until you hear a voice prompt or see a light flash. On some models you hold the power button instead.
  3. Wait for the voice prompt saying the headphones are ready to pair. The status light usually blinks blue or white.

If you are unsure which button works for your model, the owner’s guide from Bose lists the correct method for each product line.

How to Select Bose Headphones on the New Device

Once the headphones are in pairing mode, open the Bluetooth settings on the new device and wait for the headphones to appear. The name shown will usually be the product name, such as “Bose QuietComfort Headphones,” though some devices display a generic label.

  1. iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and tap the headphones under Other Devices.
  2. Android: Go to Settings, then Connected devices or Bluetooth, and tap Pair new device.
  3. Windows laptop: Go to Settings, then Bluetooth and devices, select Add device, then Bluetooth.
  4. Mac: Open System Settings, go to Bluetooth, and click Connect next to the headphones.

When the connection succeeds, you will hear a confirmation tone or voice prompt from the headphones. Play a short audio clip to confirm sound is coming through them rather than the device speakers.

What to Do If Bose Headphones Won’t Connect

If the headphones do not appear in the list or keep dropping, the cause is usually an old pairing. Delete the headphones from the old device’s Bluetooth list, then reset the headphones to clear their memory. Owners often find that a reset fixes connections that refused to form for no obvious reason. For a full walkthrough, see How to Reset Bose Headphones: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026).

If you need to remove a previous pairing from the headphones themselves, the process is covered in How to Unpair Bose Headphones: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026). Owners who use Apple devices can also check How to Connect Bose Headphones to iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026) for device-specific steps.

Common Mistakes

  • Pressing the button briefly instead of holding it, which turns the headphones on without entering pairing mode.
  • Leaving the old device connected, so the headphones reconnect to it instead of the new one.
  • Forgetting to turn Bluetooth on at the new device before searching.
  • Pairing while the headphones are still connected to another source, such as a TV or game console.

A phone or laptop with a current Bluetooth version will pair more reliably with Bose headphones, and a short charging cable keeps the battery topped up during setup. A soft carrying case also helps protect the headphones while you move them between devices.

  • A USB-C charging cable matched to your Bose model, useful for topping up before pairing. View on Amazon
  • A hard carrying case sized for over-ear headphones, which protects the ear cups and headband during frequent travel. View on Amazon

FAQ

Can Bose headphones connect to two devices at once?

Many Bose models support multipoint connection, which lets them stay linked to two devices at the same time. Check your model’s specifications to confirm, since some earlier or entry-level models support only one active connection.

Why won’t my Bose headphones show up on my new phone?

The headphones are most likely still connected to an old device or not in pairing mode. Reset them and confirm they are flashing their pairing indicator before searching again.

Do I need to delete the old pairing first?

It is not always required, but removing the old device from the headphones prevents them from reconnecting to it automatically. This is the simplest fix when a new device cannot connect.

Conclusion

Connecting Bose headphones to a new device comes down to three steps: charge the headphones, put them in pairing mode, and select them from the Bluetooth list on the new device. If a connection fails, clearing old pairings and resetting the headphones resolves most problems. Keep the owner’s guide for your model handy, since button combinations vary between product lines.

Ready to choose one?

Owen Palmer

About Owen Palmer

Owen Palmer is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our brand headphones & noise cancelling guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.