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How to Pair Earbuds

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Written by:

Lawrence Bonk
Updated February 10, 2023

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If you are new to the world of teeny-tiny headphones, you may wonder how to pair earbuds. Some of the best headphones, after all, are earbuds, and wireless models must be paired to an audio device. So what are the steps to successfully pair the best wireless earbuds with your audio device of choice? Keep reading to find out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Wireless earbuds are of no use if they are not successfully paired with your mobile device via Bluetooth.
  • Luckily, this is a simple and streamlined process, no matter what type of connected device or earbud you are using.
  • Activate the earbud Bluetooth receiver, turn on Bluetooth on the audio device settings menu, and pair the two gadgets.

How Do You Pair Wireless Earbuds?

After learning how to turn on AirPods, among other models of earbuds, you need to learn how to pair wireless earbuds. Luckily, modern earbuds offer a streamlined pairing process, which is not the same when learning how to reset earbuds. Additionally, pairing your earbuds with an audio device, such as a mobile phone, is much easier than finding a lost pair of earbuds.

Here are the general steps to pair your earbuds with your audio device of choice.

Insider Tip

Most earbuds should stay paired on their own, but you may have to repeat this process every once in a while.

STEP 1 Charge the Earbuds and Turn Them On

  1. Earbuds will not pair if they are not sufficiently charged.
  2. Plug them into a power outlet until fully charged. This is particularly important if it is your first time using them.
  3. While you are at it, make sure the audio device is charged, too, such as your smartphone or laptop.
  4. Power the earbuds on via the manufacturer’s instructions.

STEP 2 Ready the Earbuds for Pairing

  1. This step varies depending on your specific earbuds, so check the instructions.
  2. In most cases, you will do this by holding down the power button until an LED light blinks on the earbuds or it emits a noise indicating it is ready for pairing.
  3. In some cases, there will be a dedicated Bluetooth pairing button.

STEP 3 Enable Bluetooth on Your Device

  1. This step also varies depending on what device (and what type of device) you are using as an audio source. In other words, the process differs slightly when using a laptop over, say, a smartphone or tablet.
  2. Head into your settings tab and look for Bluetooth settings.
  3. Turn Bluetooth on; you should see a list of devices available to be paired.
  4. If you do not see your earbuds in this list, perform the previous step once again to ready them for pairing.

STEP 4 Pair the Earbuds

  1. Once Bluetooth is turned on, and the earbuds are available for connection, it is time to engage.
  2. Simply swipe or push to connect the earbuds. You should receive some sort of notification to indicate a successful pairing.

STAT: AirPods are wireless Bluetooth earbuds designed by Apple Inc. They were first announced on September 7, 2016, alongside the iPhone 7. (source)

Earbud Pairing FAQs

How do you link wireless earbuds on Android?

Android devices make it easy to connect earbuds. Just head to the settings menu of your mobile device and look for Bluetooth. Turn it on, connect, and there you have it. You will be able to listen to music, make phone calls, and more.

How do you connect Bluetooth headphones to a Mac computer?

This is a similar process to connecting headphones to your cell phone or any nearby devices, including mobile devices. Head into System Preferences and turn on Bluetooth. Remember to do the same with your earbuds via the pairing button.

How do you connect your Galaxy Buds?

Samsung Galaxy Buds easily connect to many mobile devices, as these are some of the more popular wireless headphones. Hold down the pairing button, look for a blue light or voice prompt, and navigate the drop-down menus of your audio device.
Lawrence Bonk Profile image
Lawrence Bonk
Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.