The basic connection process

Connecting a Sony Bluetooth speaker takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you're using an iPhone, Android phone, Windows computer, or Mac. The speaker needs to be in pairing mode, your device needs to have Bluetooth turned on, and then you select the speaker from the list of available devices. After that first connection, your phone or computer will remember the speaker and reconnect automatically whenever both are nearby.

Before you start, make sure your Sony speaker is fully charged or plugged in. A low battery can cause connection problems. Also check that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone or computer's settings — this is the most common reason people get stuck before they even begin.

Key Takeaways

  • Put your Sony speaker into pairing mode by holding the power button for about three seconds until you see a blinking light or hear a tone.
  • On your phone or computer, go to Bluetooth settings and look for your speaker's model name in the list of available devices.
  • Tap or click the speaker name to complete the pairing, which usually takes 10 to 20 seconds.
  • Once paired, your device will reconnect to the speaker automatically the next time you turn it on, as long as Bluetooth stays enabled.

Putting your Sony speaker into pairing mode

Most Sony Bluetooth speakers enter pairing mode when you hold down the power button for about three seconds. You'll see a blinking blue light or hear a tone that sounds like a chirp or beep. The speaker will stay in pairing mode for about five minutes, so you have time to find your phone or computer and start the connection process.

If holding the power button doesn't work, check the back or bottom of your speaker for a dedicated Bluetooth button — some Sony models have a separate button marked with the Bluetooth symbol. Press and hold that button instead for about three seconds. If you're unsure which button to use, the manual that came with your speaker will show you exactly where it is and how long to hold it.

If your speaker has been paired with another device before, you may need to unpair it first. Look in that other device's Bluetooth settings, find your speaker in the list of paired devices, and select "Forget" or "Unpair." Then put the speaker back into pairing mode and try connecting with your new device.

Connecting on iPhone or iPad

Open the Settings app and tap Bluetooth. Make sure the toggle at the top is turned on — it should be green or blue. Wait a few seconds for your phone to scan for nearby devices. Your Sony speaker should appear in the list with its model name, like "SRS-XB13" or "SRS-XE200." Tap the speaker name to connect.

Your phone will show "Connecting" for a few seconds, then change to "Connected" once the pairing is complete. You may see a popup asking you to confirm the connection — tap "Pair" if it appears. After this first connection, your iPhone or iPad will automatically reconnect to this speaker whenever Bluetooth is on and the speaker is nearby and powered on.

Connecting on Android phone or tablet

Open Settings and look for Bluetooth — on most Android phones it's under "Connected devices" or "Connections." Turn Bluetooth on if it isn't already. Your phone will start scanning for nearby devices. Your Sony speaker should show up in the list within 10 seconds. Tap the speaker name to pair.

Android will show "Pairing" while it connects, then change to "Connected" once it's done. Some Android phones ask you to confirm a pairing code — if you see a popup, just tap "Pair" to confirm. Like with iPhone, your Android phone will remember this speaker and reconnect automatically in the future.

Connecting on Windows computer

Click the Windows Start button and type "Bluetooth settings" into the search box, then open the Bluetooth settings page. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on — you'll see a toggle switch at the top. Click "Add device" or "Add Bluetooth or other device." Windows will start searching for nearby devices. Select your Sony speaker from the list and click "Done."

Windows may ask you to enter a PIN code — if it does, try entering 0000 or 1234, which are the default codes for most Sony speakers. If neither works, check your speaker's manual for the correct PIN. Once connected, your computer will remember the speaker and reconnect automatically when both are powered on and in range.

Connecting on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older Macs). Click "Bluetooth" in the sidebar. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Your Mac will show a list of nearby Bluetooth devices. Find your Sony speaker in the list and click "Connect" next to it.

Your Mac may ask for a confirmation code — if it does, try 0000 or 1234. Once you see "Connected" next to your speaker's name, the pairing is complete. Your Mac will automatically reconnect to this speaker whenever both are turned on and in range.

Troubleshooting when the speaker won't connect

If your Sony speaker doesn't show up in the list of available devices, make sure it's actually in pairing mode — look for the blinking light or listen for the tone. If you don't see or hear anything, try holding the power button down for a full five seconds instead of three. Some Sony models need a longer press to enter pairing mode.

If the speaker appears in the list but won't connect, try turning the speaker off completely, waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on. Then put it into pairing mode again and try connecting. If your phone or computer has been paired with this speaker before, forget or unpair it first, then try pairing it fresh.

If you're still stuck, restart your phone or computer entirely. This clears out temporary Bluetooth problems that sometimes prevent connection. After the restart, turn Bluetooth back on, put your speaker into pairing mode, and try connecting again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Sony speaker keep disconnecting?

The most common cause is that Bluetooth is turned off on your phone or computer, or the speaker is out of range. Keep your device within 30 feet of the speaker and make sure Bluetooth stays enabled. If disconnections happen even when you're close by, try forgetting the speaker from your device's Bluetooth settings and pairing it again from scratch.

Can I connect my Sony speaker to multiple devices at once?

Most Sony speakers can pair with multiple devices but only play audio from one at a time. You can pair your speaker with your phone, tablet, and computer, and it will remember all of them. When you want to switch which device is playing through the speaker, just start playing audio on that device and the speaker will switch over automatically.

What if I forgot which device my Sony speaker is paired with?

Put the speaker into pairing mode and try connecting it to your current device. If it won't pair, it's probably still connected to another device. Go to that other device's Bluetooth settings, find the speaker, and select "Forget" or "Unpair." Then try pairing with your current device again.

Do I have to pair my Sony speaker every time I use it?

No. After the first pairing, your device remembers the speaker. The next time you turn on both the speaker and your phone or computer, they'll reconnect automatically as long as Bluetooth is enabled. You only need to pair manually if you're connecting to a new device or if you've unpaired them.

Why is the sound coming from my phone speaker instead of the Sony speaker?

Your phone is connected to the speaker but hasn't switched audio output to it yet. Open your phone's Bluetooth settings and make sure the Sony speaker shows as "Connected." Then open the app you're using to play audio — music, video, or podcast — and look for an audio output button (usually a speaker icon). Tap it and select your Sony speaker from the list.