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To pair Bluetooth earbuds, put them into the model’s pairing mode, open Bluetooth settings on your phone or computer, and select the earbuds when they appear. If they were paired before, select them from saved devices instead. If they fail, first check pairing mode, charge, range, and whether they are still connected to another device; the right next step depends on whether they are missing, won’t connect, or connect without playing sound.

Pairing versus connecting: what to expect

Pairing is the initial setup that saves the earbuds to a phone or computer. The earbuds must be discoverable during that step. Afterward, they may reconnect automatically, or you can select them from the host’s saved-device list. On Android, Google says paired devices remain paired until you unpair them. Google’s Android Bluetooth instructions and Microsoft’s Windows pairing guide explain the platform steps.

The action that puts earbuds into pairing mode differs by model; it may involve a case button or another manufacturer-specific control. Use the earbuds’ manual rather than guessing a button-hold duration. Microsoft’s concise requirement is: “Your Bluetooth device must be in pairing mode and within range of your PC.” Microsoft Support

Pair earbuds with your device

Android

  1. Swipe down from the top of the screen, then touch and hold Bluetooth.
  2. Choose Pair new device. If that option is absent, check Available devices or choose More > Refresh, as Google describes.
  3. Put the earbuds in pairing mode, tap their name when it appears, and follow any prompts.
  4. For earbuds paired previously, turn on Bluetooth and select the disconnected item under Saved devices.

Android menus can vary by version and device; Google notes that some instructions apply only to Android 15 and later or require supporting hardware. If a passcode prompt appears, use the earbuds’ manual rather than assuming a code. Google Android Help

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iPhone or iPad

  1. Use the earbud maker’s instructions to put the earbuds in discovery mode.
  2. Open Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.
  3. Tap the earbud name when it appears. If asked for a PIN or passcode, consult the manual.

To erase an existing pairing, open the accessory’s information control and choose Forget This Device, then repeat setup. Apple notes that forgetting an accessory can unpair it from devices signed in to the same Apple Account. Apple’s instructions for connecting third-party accessories

Windows 11 or Windows 10

  1. Confirm that the PC supports Bluetooth and that Bluetooth is enabled.
  2. Put the earbuds in pairing mode according to their model’s instructions.
  3. In Windows 11, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices and add the earbuds, or use the taskbar Bluetooth quick setting. Supported nearby accessories may also offer Swift Pair.
  4. In Windows 10, use Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices > Add Bluetooth or other device.
  5. If a saved entry exists but will not connect, remove it and add the earbuds again.

Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so Windows 11 is the current route; the Windows 10 path is included for legacy systems. If the computer lacks Bluetooth hardware, Microsoft says a USB Bluetooth adapter can add it. Microsoft Windows pairing instructions

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Fix the problem that matches what you see

The earbuds do not appear in the list

  • Charge the earbuds and case, keep them close to the host, and confirm they are actually in discovery mode. Apple gives an approximate pairing distance of about 33 feet (10 meters) in its current iPhone user guide; walls, interference, and the particular devices can affect usable range, so treat that as guidance rather than a guarantee. Apple iPhone user guide
  • Check the earbud manual for the model-specific pairing action, then refresh the available-device list if the platform provides that option.
  • If Bluetooth itself is missing or cannot be enabled on a Windows PC, investigate host Bluetooth hardware, drivers, or operating-system support rather than the earbud pairing gesture. An adapter is relevant only if the PC lacks Bluetooth. Microsoft Windows Bluetooth troubleshooting

The earbuds appear but will not connect

  • Remove or forget the old earbud entry on the phone or computer, then put the earbuds back in pairing mode and add them again. Microsoft recommends removing and re-adding a device when Windows cannot connect. Microsoft connection troubleshooting
  • If they connect to another phone or computer but not the device you want, disconnect or unpair them from the other device while setting up the intended connection. Apple specifically recommends unpairing the accessory from other devices and trying again. Apple accessory troubleshooting

The connection drops after pairing

Start with charge and proximity. On Windows, Bluetooth drivers, services, or updates can also be involved; use Microsoft’s troubleshooting and update guidance rather than treating one suspected cause as certain. Microsoft connection troubleshooting

The device says connected, but there is no sound

On Windows, select the earbuds as the sound output and check volume. If sound still does not play, investigate drivers and audio compatibility. Microsoft lists 2-channel, 16-bit, 48 kHz as an output-format troubleshooting option and recommends checking A2DP support for higher-quality audio streaming. These are Windows-specific checks, not universal Bluetooth settings. Microsoft connected-but-no-sound guidance

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Only one earbud plays on Windows 11

For a possible one-channel pairing problem, remove the saved device, put both earbuds in their charging cradle, enter pairing mode as the manufacturer directs, and add them together when prompted. Microsoft documents this procedure for one-channel Bluetooth audio and identifies LE Audio pairing as one possible context; it does not establish that every one-sided audio fault has the same cause. Microsoft one-channel troubleshooting

When an adapter is—and is not—the answer

A USB Bluetooth adapter has a specific role: adding Bluetooth to a Windows computer that does not have it. It does not address earbuds that are out of charge or range, are not in pairing mode, or have an old saved pairing that needs to be removed. Check the PC’s Bluetooth capability before considering an adapter. Microsoft Windows pairing instructions

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What the support guidance does not establish

Official platform support pages describe setup steps and possible causes, not a published failure rate for Bluetooth-earbud pairing. A specific percentage of failed pairings cannot be inferred from those instructions.

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