5 Easy Steps to Connect Wireless Headphones on Android

An easy-to-follow guide for pairing wireless headphones to Android using Bluetooth

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: June 9, 2024 Fact Checked

Did you recently buy or get a pair of headphones or earbuds that you want to use with your Android? Fortunately, you can easily connect wireless headphones to your Android device via Bluetooth in the Settings menu. This wikiHow article walks you through how to connect wireless headphones to your Android smartphone or tablet.

How to Pair Earbuds to Android

Swipe down on the top of the screen.
Select and hold the Bluetooth button.
Tap “Pair new device.”
Select the name of your earbuds.

Steps

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1
Turn on your wireless headphones. Make sure they have batteries or a charge and that they're powered on.
- For some earbuds, turning them on is as easy as opening the lid to the case they are in. For most headphones, you'll find a Power button on one of the ear cups.
- Refer to your manual or search the Internet for your earbuds/headphones model for more detail on how to power them off and on as well as how to figure out if they are charged.
2
Put your wireless headphones in pairing mode. Most wireless headphones have a button or combination of buttons you press and hold to put it in pairing mode. Consult the user manual that came with the headphones for specific instructions on how to make your wireless headphones discoverable via Bluetooth.
- You can search the internet for the type of headphones you have if you don't have the user manual.
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3
Tap and hold the Bluetooth icon in the Quick Settings panel. To open the panel, swipe down from the top of your screen. If you don't see the Bluetooth icon, use one finger to swipe down, and then two fingers to swipe again to see the entire menu.
- Alternatively, you can get to Bluetooth Settings by opening the Settings app and tapping Connections or Connected Devices (different Android manufacturers use varying words). Some phones even skip the "Connections" option and offer "Bluetooth" in the main Settings menu that you can click.
4
Tap Scan. It's in the upper-right corner of the Bluetooth settings menu on your Android device. It will start scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices. Your headphones will appear in the list when they are found.
- If Bluetooth isn't on, you won't see Scan. Tap the switch next to "Bluetooth" to enable it.
5
Tap the name of the wireless headphones. When the name of your headphones appears in the list of nearby Bluetooth devices in the menu, tap the headphones' name to begin the pairing process. It will take just a moment for your headphones to pair. Once they have successfully paired with your Android device, you are ready to use your wireless headphones with your Android device.^{[1]
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- If you have devices compatible with Fast Pair (products made by Google), then you just have to tap Tap to pair.

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Question

Can I use wireless earbuds with my phone listening to German language lessons as I walk for exercise?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Wireless headphones are good for exercise because there is not a cord in your way.

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How far away can the phone be for wireless earphones to work? I would like to swim with them.

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Community Answer

Well, most wireless earphones have a specific range. Some can be up to 30 feet. You'll need to check the specifications of what you've bought to know the product and its range.

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Question

Wireless or Bluetooth headphones: which are better?

Community Answer

Most wireless headphones use Bluetooth to connect, so it is hard to compare the two when they are essentially the same thing.

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Tips

If one earbud isn't working or one side of your headphones appears broken, you can take some simple troubleshooting steps to see if the issue is easily fixable.

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If you don't see your headphones in the list of available devices, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot: make sure your headphones have a charge, are on, and pairing. If all that is true, make sure your Android isn't paired with anything else, as that will interfere with pairing with your headphones. For example, if your Android is currently connected and paired with your car, you won't be able to pair it with your headphones. To fix that, turn off all other Bluetooth devices in the vicinity. Finally, make sure your Android is close to your headphones because Bluetooth won't work at a certain distance.

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