The basic connection process for Beats
To connect Beats to a Bluetooth device, put your Beats into pairing mode, then find them in your device's Bluetooth settings and select them. Most Beats enter pairing mode automatically the first time you turn them on. After that, they remember your device and connect on their own when you power them on — you only need to manually pair once per device.
The exact steps depend on whether your Beats are wireless earbuds, over-ear headphones, or a Pill speaker, and whether you're pairing to a phone, computer, or tablet. The core idea is the same: make your Beats discoverable, then tell your device to connect to them.
Key Takeaways
- Most Beats enter pairing mode automatically when you turn them on for the first time, and you'll see a light flash or hear a voice prompt telling you they're ready.
- On your phone or computer, go to Bluetooth settings, look for your Beats model name, and tap or click to connect.
- Once paired, your Beats will reconnect automatically when you turn them on near that device — you don't repeat the pairing steps.
- If your Beats don't appear in Bluetooth settings, hold the power button or pairing button longer, or reset them by holding the button for 10 to 15 seconds.
- You can pair one set of Beats to multiple devices, but they connect to only one at a time.
Pairing Beats to an iPhone or iPad
Open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and turn it on. Your Beats should appear in the list within a few seconds if they're in pairing mode. The name will match your Beats model — for example, "Beats Solo 3" or "Beats Studio Pro". Tap the name to connect.
If you see "Not Connected" next to the name, tap it again. If the Beats don't appear at all, make sure they're powered on and close to your iPhone or iPad. Hold the power button on your Beats for 10 seconds until you see the light flash white and red alternately — this forces them back into pairing mode.
Once connected, you'll see a checkmark next to the Beats name in Settings. Your iPhone will remember this pairing, so next time you turn on your Beats nearby, they'll connect without you doing anything.
Pairing Beats to an Android phone
Open Settings, go to Connected Devices or Bluetooth (the exact name varies by phone brand), and turn Bluetooth on. Your Beats will show up in the list if they're in pairing mode. Tap the name to connect.
Android phones sometimes take a few seconds longer to find Beats than iPhones do. If your Beats don't show up after 30 seconds, power them off completely, then turn them back on. Most Beats will enter pairing mode automatically when powered on for the first time, or when you hold the power button for several seconds.
After you connect once, your Android phone saves the pairing. The next time you turn on your Beats, they'll connect on their own if Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.
Pairing Beats to a Mac or Windows computer
On a Mac, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar (top right), or go to System Settings, then Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth on if it's off. Your Beats should appear in the list. Click the name to connect.
On Windows, go to Settings, then Bluetooth & Devices, and turn Bluetooth on. Click "Add Device" or "Add Bluetooth Device", then select your Beats from the list that appears.
Computers sometimes take longer to discover Beats than phones do. If your Beats don't appear after 30 seconds, make sure they're powered on and in pairing mode. You can force pairing mode by holding the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the light flashes white and red.
What to do if your Beats won't appear or won't stay connected
If your Beats don't show up in Bluetooth settings, they may not be in pairing mode. Power them off completely, then turn them back on. If they still don't appear, hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the light flashes white and red — this resets them to pairing mode.
If your Beats connect but then disconnect after a few seconds, they may be trying to connect to a different device they've paired with before. Check the Bluetooth settings on your other devices and disconnect your Beats from them. Then try pairing to your main device again.
If you've paired your Beats to many devices and they're acting unpredictably, reset them completely. Hold the power button for 15 seconds until the light turns off, then wait 10 seconds and turn them back on. This erases all previous pairings and puts them in pairing mode fresh.
Pairing multiple devices to the same Beats
You can pair one set of Beats to as many devices as you want — a phone, tablet, and computer all at once. Repeat the pairing steps on each device. Your Beats will remember all of them.
However, your Beats can only play audio from one device at a time. When you turn on your Beats, they'll connect to whichever device they were last used with. If you want to switch to a different device, go to that device's Bluetooth settings and select your Beats again. The connection will switch within a few seconds.
Some newer Beats models support multipoint connection, which means they can stay connected to two devices at once and automatically switch when you start playing audio on a different one. Check your Beats model's specifications to see if this feature is available.
Reconnecting Beats after they've been paired
Once you've paired your Beats to a device, you don't need to repeat the pairing process. Just turn on your Beats and make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your device. They'll connect automatically within a few seconds.
If your Beats don't reconnect automatically, check that Bluetooth is turned on. On phones, swipe down to the quick settings menu and make sure the Bluetooth icon is active. On computers, check the Bluetooth menu in your system settings.
If Bluetooth is on but your Beats still won't connect, forget the pairing and pair again. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Beats, tap the info icon, and select "Forget This Device". On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices, find your Beats, and tap "Forget". Then repeat the pairing steps from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my Beats keep disconnecting from my phone?
Beats usually disconnect if Bluetooth is turned off, if you move too far away from your phone, or if another device is trying to connect to them. Check that Bluetooth is on, stay within 30 feet of your phone, and make sure your Beats aren't paired to another device that's also trying to connect. If the problem continues, forget the pairing and pair again.
Can I use my Beats with two phones at the same time?
You can pair your Beats to multiple phones, but they'll only play audio from one at a time. If both phones have Bluetooth on, your Beats will connect to whichever one they were last used with. To switch, go to the other phone's Bluetooth settings and select your Beats again.
What if I lost my Beats and want to pair them to a new device?
If your old Beats are out of range, you can still pair new Beats to your device. Turn on the new Beats and they'll enter pairing mode automatically. Go to your device's Bluetooth settings and select them. If you later find your old Beats, they'll still be paired to your device — you can disconnect them by forgetting the pairing in Bluetooth settings.
Do I need to pair my Beats every time I use them?
No. Once you pair your Beats to a device, they remember that pairing. The next time you turn on your Beats, they'll connect automatically as long as Bluetooth is enabled on your device. You only pair once per device.
Why won't my Beats show up in Bluetooth settings?
Your Beats may not be powered on, or they may not be in pairing mode. Turn them on and hold the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the light flashes white and red. If they still don't appear, try restarting your phone or computer's Bluetooth by turning it off and back on in settings.