The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →iTechGuides is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 iPhone go to Settings > Bluetooth, turn Bluetooth on, and tap the Bose name when it appears. The pairing control depends on the earbud model, so use the steps for your specific pair rather than assuming every Bose model uses the same gesture.
Pair Bose QuietComfort Earbuds sold from 2024
-
For the first connection, open the charging case and wait for its status light to glow before removing the earbuds.
-
Touch and hold either earbud for four seconds, until you hear “Ready to pair.” Bose gives this instruction specifically for QuietComfort Earbuds sold from 2024.
PerformancePC Slower Than It Used to Be?DriversOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownPerformanceWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
On your iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth and make sure Bluetooth is on.
#1 Best Overall
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) - Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds with Mic, Immersive Audio, USB-C Charging, Up to 6 Hours Battery, IPX4 Rating, Black- 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.
-
Tap Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, or the displayed Bose name, in the device list. Bose says to connect through the iPhone’s Bluetooth list before connecting with the Bose QCE app.
Pair other Bose earbud models
Do not use the four-second touch-and-hold instruction as a universal Bose pairing method. Bose publishes model-specific connection instructions, including for QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). Check the model name in the Bose app, on the case, or in the product documentation, then follow that model’s guide to enter pairing mode. Once the earbuds are discoverable, use Settings > Bluetooth on the iPhone and tap their name. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds troubleshooting and the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) owner’s guide are model-specific resources.
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.
Confirm that iPhone audio is playing through the earbuds
After pairing, start audio on the iPhone. If it is playing through another output, select the earbuds as the playback destination using the playback destination control, the Lock Screen, or Control Center. See Apple’s instructions for choosing where iPhone audio plays.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix Bose earbuds that do not appear or connect
Check that the earbuds are powered on
For QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, Bose suggests putting the earbuds in their charging case, then removing and wearing them to check for welcome tones. If they do not power on, they cannot enter pairing mode. Follow your model’s instructions if this check does not match your earbuds.
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
Put the earbuds back into discovery mode
Confirm Bluetooth is on in Settings > Bluetooth, then put the earbuds into their model-specific pairing mode again. Keep the iPhone close during pairing: Apple advises keeping it within about 10 metres of the Bluetooth accessory. Apple’s pairing instructions explain the discovery-mode and Bluetooth steps.
Forget the old iPhone entry and pair again
-
On the iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth.
-
Tap the information control beside the Bose entry, then tap Forget This Device.
Rank #4
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) - Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds with Mic, Immersive Audio, USB-C Charging, Up to 6 Hours Battery, IPX4 Rating, Midnight Violet - Limited Edition Color- 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 the earbuds into pairing mode again and select them from the Bluetooth device list. Apple documents this removal step in its Bluetooth accessory connection guidance.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallSpecial offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Remove stale entries for QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
If you have QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and pairing still fails, Bose recommends removing all Bose entries from the iPhone’s Bluetooth menu, including duplicates whose names begin with “LE,” and trying again. The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) guide also lists toggling Bluetooth, clearing earbud memory, reseating the earbuds in the case, and resetting as troubleshooting options. Use the guide for your exact model; Bose distinguishes resetting from restoring factory settings.
Restart the iPhone before trying a model-specific reset
Bose recommends rebooting the personal device and trying again for QuietComfort Ultra connection problems. If that does not help, consult the instructions for your model before clearing earbud memory or resetting it; do not assume reset and factory restore are interchangeable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can Bose earbuds connect to more than one device?
Bose says QuietComfort Earbuds sold from 2024 can maintain active connections to two devices through multipoint, but audio plays from only one device at a time. If two devices are already connected and a third connects, it replaces the older connection. This behavior is documented for that model family; check your own model’s instructions before relying on it. See Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds multipoint guidance.
Quick Recap
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.
