iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Put your Bose earbuds into Bluetooth pairing mode, then on your Samsung Galaxy phone open Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and select the earbuds when they appear. Confirm Pair if prompted. The Bose app is optional for basic Bluetooth audio; pairing gestures vary by Bose model.
Connect Bose earbuds through Samsung Bluetooth settings
- Charge and prepare the earbuds. Make sure they have enough charge to power on, and keep them near the phone during setup. The instructions cited here do not establish a universal required distance.
- Put the exact Bose model into pairing mode. Use that model’s Bose instructions; the gesture is not the same for every pair of Bose earbuds.
- Open Bluetooth settings on the phone. Go to Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on if needed. Wait for the Bose product name to appear under available devices. Samsung notes that menu names and screens can differ by Galaxy model and software version (Samsung’s Bluetooth connection guide).
- Select the earbuds. Tap the Bose name and approve the pairing prompt if it appears. Samsung says some Bluetooth devices may request a PIN, but a PIN is not established as a routine Bose-earbud requirement; enter one only if your phone asks and follow the device’s instructions.
- Check the connection. Play audio briefly. If you want extra Bose controls or features, open the Bose app and follow its setup for your product after Bluetooth pairing.
Use the right pairing gesture for your Bose model
QuietComfort Earbuds sold from 2024
For these earbuds, Bose instructs users to touch and hold either earbud for four seconds, until they hear “Ready to pair.” Then select the earbuds in the phone’s Bluetooth device list. Bose says the QCE app can be connected for added functionality after the Bluetooth-list connection has been made (Bose QuietComfort Earbuds pairing instructions). This four-second hold is specific to that product generation; do not assume it applies to other Bose models.
Other Bose earbuds
Follow the owner guide or support instructions for the exact model to make it discoverable. If it is not in pairing mode, the Galaxy phone may not find it. Bose’s app supports setup and controls for listed products, but it is not required for basic Bluetooth pairing (Bose app information).
Optional Android Fast Pair for QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Bose documents Android Fast Pair for QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds on Android 6.0 or later, with Bluetooth and Location enabled. This is a model-specific alternative to selecting the earbuds from the Bluetooth list.
#1 Best Overall
- WORLD-CLASS NOISE CANCELLATION: The best noise cancellation of any Bose wireless earbuds is now even better than before. ActiveSense technology smooths spikes in surrounding sound, so even in Aware Mode distractions won’t get in the way.
- CUSTOMTUNE TECHNOLOGY: CustomTune technology analyses your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape. The result? World-class noise cancellation and custom sound for bigger chills every time you press play.
- NOISE CONTROL: Quickly adjust the level of noise cancellation without using Modes, including turning it off completely to conserve battery.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO: Bose Immersive Audio spatialises what you’re hearing by taking it out of your head and placing it beyond your Bluetooth earbuds. It’s like listening from the acoustic sweet spot, where songs sound like the artist intended.
- SECURE FIT AND STABILITY: Choose from nine combos of eartips and stability bands to find the snuggest fit for comfortable earbuds. The soft, umbrella-shaped tips seal the opening of your ear to reduce outside noises while stability bands hug them.
- Put both earbuds in the open charging case.
- Hold the case button until the earbuds’ status light slowly blinks blue.
- Place the case near the Android phone and tap the Fast Pair notification when it appears.
If no notification appears, Bose advises checking whether Google Play Services notifications are enabled. You can instead make the earbuds discoverable and use Settings > Connections > Bluetooth to select them (QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds owner guide). Fast Pair requirements and steps should not be generalized to every Bose product.
Fix common connection problems
The earbuds do not appear in the Bluetooth list
- Confirm that the earbuds are powered on and currently in pairing mode. Exit and re-enter pairing mode using the instructions for that model.
- Keep the earbuds close to the phone while searching. Samsung notes that a Bluetooth device outside pairing mode cannot be detected or connected (Samsung Bluetooth troubleshooting).
- If you are using Fast Pair and its notification does not show, check the Google Play Services notification setting described in the QuietComfort Ultra guide, or use Bluetooth settings instead.
The phone paired before but will not reconnect
Remove the saved Bose connection from the phone’s Bluetooth settings, then put the earbuds back in pairing mode and pair again. Samsung identifies connection-history issues as one possible cause and recommends removing the existing connection before reconnecting. The exact controls and labels vary by Galaxy model and software version (Samsung Bluetooth troubleshooting).
Rank #2
- WORLD-CLASS NOISE CANCELLATION: The best noise cancellation of any Bose wireless earbuds is now even better than before. ActiveSense technology smooths spikes in surrounding sound, so even in Aware Mode distractions won’t get in the way.
- CUSTOMTUNE TECHNOLOGY: CustomTune technology analyses your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape. The result? World-class noise cancellation and custom sound for bigger chills every time you press play.
- NOISE CONTROL: Quickly adjust the level of noise cancellation without using Modes, including turning it off completely to conserve battery.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO: Bose Immersive Audio spatialises what you’re hearing by taking it out of your head and placing it beyond your Bluetooth earbuds. It’s like listening from the acoustic sweet spot, where songs sound like the artist intended.
- SECURE FIT AND STABILITY: Choose from nine combos of eartips and stability bands to find the snuggest fit for comfortable earbuds. The soft, umbrella-shaped tips seal the opening of your ear to reduce outside noises while stability bands hug them.
It connects, but audio or calls do not work as expected
Open the connected Bose device’s Bluetooth settings on the phone and check the available audio and call permissions. Samsung notes that Bluetooth permissions can affect uses such as calls; the controls may differ by software version (Samsung’s Bluetooth connection guide).
Pairing still fails
Restart the phone and earbuds, then check for software updates. Samsung lists outdated software and Bluetooth configuration among possible causes. Avoid a factory reset until you have checked the instructions for your exact Bose model, since reset procedures vary by product (Samsung Bluetooth troubleshooting).
Rank #3
- OPEN YOUR EARS TO THE WORLD: Hear all of what’s around you while enjoying rich, private sound; the wireless earbuds' open ear design says, “I can still hear you” while OpenAudio technology provides you with high-quality, private sound
- BE IN THE MUSIC, ANYWHERE EVERYWHERE: With Bose Immersive Audio spatialized sound, these Bluetooth earbuds feel, look good, and bring you closer to your music, so you’re not only listening, you’re in it
- FEELS GOOD, STAYS PUT: The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds feature a flexible joint and a light-as-air-grip, simply hook it gently around the back of your ear and you’ll stay open to the world around you with these comfortable earbuds
- WATER RESISTANCE WITH IPX4: Get splashed on, dripped on, sprayed on. No worries here. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds can handle it. Acoustic mesh keeps out moisture and debris, so you can keep on listening
- NEVER MISS A BEAT: With up to 7 hours of play time (up to 4 hours with Immersive Audio)*, up to 48 hours of standby***, and the included charging case provides up to an extra 2.5 full charges of power**, you’re equipped with long-lasting battery life
Do you need the Bose app?
No. You can pair Bose earbuds directly in Samsung’s Bluetooth settings for basic Bluetooth audio. The Bose app is an optional companion for setup, controls, or other features supported by the particular product. For the QuietComfort Earbuds sold from 2024, Bose specifically instructs users to connect through the phone’s Bluetooth device list before connecting the QCE app for added functionality (Bose app information; Bose pairing instructions).
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- WORLD-CLASS NOISE CANCELLATION: The best noise cancellation of any Bose wireless earbuds is now even better than before. ActiveSense technology smooths spikes in surrounding sound, so even in Aware Mode distractions won’t get in the way.
- CUSTOMTUNE TECHNOLOGY: CustomTune technology analyses your ears and adapts your in-ear headphones to their shape. The result? World-class noise cancellation and custom sound for bigger chills every time you press play.
- NOISE CONTROL: Quickly adjust the level of noise cancellation without using Modes, including turning it off completely to conserve battery.
- IMMERSIVE AUDIO: Bose Immersive Audio spatialises what you’re hearing by taking it out of your head and placing it beyond your Bluetooth earbuds. It’s like listening from the acoustic sweet spot, where songs sound like the artist intended.
- SECURE FIT AND STABILITY: Choose from nine combos of eartips and stability bands to find the snuggest fit for comfortable earbuds. The soft, umbrella-shaped tips seal the opening of your ear to reduce outside noises while stability bands hug them.
Bluetooth settings or Fast Pair?
| Route | Model applicability | How it works | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Bluetooth settings | General route for Bose earbuds that support Bluetooth pairing | Make the earbuds discoverable, then select their name under Settings > Connections > Bluetooth. | Bluetooth enabled on the phone; earbuds in their model’s pairing mode. Samsung menu labels can vary by model and software. |
| Android Fast Pair | Documented here for QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | Put both earbuds in the open case, hold the case button until the light slowly blinks blue, then tap the nearby phone’s notification. | Android 6.0 or later, with Bluetooth and Location enabled. If the prompt is absent, check Google Play Services notifications or use Bluetooth settings. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
