The basic connection process for Beats

Connecting Beats headphones to your phone, computer, or tablet takes about two minutes and works the same way across all devices. Turn on your Beats, hold down the power button until you see a flashing light (usually white or red), then open your device's Bluetooth settings and select your Beats from the list. Your device will remember the connection after the first time, so you won't have to repeat these steps every time you use them.

The exact location of the power button and the color of the light varies by model — some Beats have the button on the left ear cup, others on the right. Check the small instruction card that came in the box if you're not sure where to look. Once paired, your Beats will automatically connect to that device whenever they're turned on and in range.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on your Beats and hold the power button until the light flashes, then select them from your device's Bluetooth settings.
  • The first pairing takes a few minutes, but your device remembers the connection after that.
  • Beats can pair with multiple devices, but will only connect to one at a time.
  • If your Beats won't show up in Bluetooth settings, restart both the headphones and your device, then try again.
  • Older Beats models may need to be held in pairing mode longer or have a dedicated pairing button instead of a power button.

Connecting Beats to an iPhone or iPad

On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap Bluetooth, and make sure it's turned on. Your Beats should appear in the list of available devices within a few seconds. Tap the name of your Beats to connect. You'll see a checkmark next to them once they're paired, and a small Bluetooth icon will appear in the top right corner of your screen.

If your Beats don't appear in the list, make sure they're in pairing mode — the light should be flashing. If the light isn't flashing, hold down the power button for about 10 seconds. Wait a few seconds, then check the Bluetooth list again. If they still don't show up, restart your iPhone or iPad by powering it off and back on, then repeat the process.

Connecting Beats to an Android phone

On Android, open Settings and look for Bluetooth or Connected Devices (the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer). Turn Bluetooth on if it isn't already. Your Beats should appear under "Available devices" within a few seconds. Tap the name to connect.

Some Android phones show a pairing request on screen after you tap the name — if yours does, confirm the pairing. Once connected, you'll see your Beats listed under "Paired devices" or "Connected devices." If your Beats don't appear, make sure the light is flashing and try restarting your phone.

Connecting Beats to a Windows or Mac computer

On a Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then click Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is on, and your Beats should appear in the list. Click "Connect" next to your Beats' name. On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings, click Devices, then Bluetooth & Devices. Turn Bluetooth on and wait for your Beats to appear, then click to connect.

Computers sometimes take longer to find Beats than phones do — wait at least 30 seconds before assuming they won't show up. If your Beats still don't appear, restart your computer and try again. Make sure your Beats are in pairing mode (flashing light) before you start.

What to do if your Beats won't connect

The most common reason Beats won't connect is that they're not in pairing mode. The light needs to be flashing, not solid. Hold down the power button for 10 to 15 seconds — you should see the light change from solid to flashing. If the light never flashes, your Beats may be out of battery. Plug them in and try again after a few minutes.

If the light is flashing but your Beats still don't show up, restart both your Beats and your device. Turn off your Beats completely, wait 10 seconds, then turn them back on. At the same time, restart your phone or computer. Once both are back on, put your Beats in pairing mode again and check your device's Bluetooth settings.

If you've already paired your Beats with another device, they may be trying to connect to that device instead. Turn off Bluetooth on any other devices nearby, or go into their Bluetooth settings and "forget" your Beats. Then try pairing with your current device again.

Pairing Beats with multiple devices

Beats can be paired with several devices at once, but they'll only actively connect to one. Once you've paired them with your iPhone, you can also pair them with your Mac, iPad, or Android phone by repeating the pairing process on each device. Your Beats will remember all of them.

When you turn on your Beats, they'll automatically connect to whichever device they were last used with. If you want to switch to a different device, turn off Bluetooth on the current device or move far enough away that they disconnect, then turn on Bluetooth on the device you want to use. Your Beats should connect within a few seconds.

Resetting your Beats if pairing still won't work

If you've tried restarting and your Beats still won't pair, you can reset them to factory settings. The reset process is different for each model — some use a button combination, others require holding a button for 15 to 20 seconds. Look up your specific Beats model online or check the instruction card to find the exact reset steps.

After a reset, your Beats will no longer be paired with any device. You'll need to pair them from scratch using the steps at the top of this guide. A reset usually solves connection problems, but it will erase any custom settings you've saved, like volume limits or sound adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Beats keep disconnecting?

Beats disconnect when they go out of Bluetooth range (usually 30 feet or more), when the battery gets very low, or when another device tries to connect to them. If they disconnect frequently even when you're close to your device, restart both your Beats and your phone or computer. If the problem continues, try forgetting your Beats in your device's Bluetooth settings and pairing them again from scratch.

Can I use my Beats with two devices at the same time?

No, Beats can only play audio from one device at a time, even if they're paired with multiple devices. If you want to switch between devices, you'll need to disconnect from one before connecting to another. Some newer Beats models have a feature that lets you switch between two devices quickly, but you still can't hear both simultaneously.

What if I forgot which device my Beats are paired with?

Turn on your Beats and they'll automatically connect to the device they were last used with. If you're not sure which one that is, check the Bluetooth settings on your phone, tablet, and computer — one of them will show your Beats as "connected." Once you find it, you can disconnect and pair with a different device instead.

Do I need to unpair my Beats before selling them?

Yes, you should forget your Beats from all your devices' Bluetooth settings before giving them away or selling them. This removes your pairing information and makes it easier for the new owner to pair them with their own devices. You can also reset your Beats to factory settings to clear all pairing data at once.

Why is the Bluetooth light on my Beats not flashing?

A solid light means your Beats are on but not in pairing mode. Hold down the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the light starts flashing. If the light doesn't turn on at all, your Beats are out of battery — plug them in and wait a few minutes before trying again.