How to connect wireless & bluetooth headphones, headsets & earbuds

How wireless headphones work and how to connect

From call centers to fitness centers, wireless headphones are used by millions of people every day for work and play. For example, wireless headphones are popular with gamers, since it frees you to move around without having to worry about a cord. People doing a workout at the gym or in front of their TV in the living room love the freedom of wireless headphones. They are also perfect for people who want to watch late-night television without disturbing others.

Wireless headphones are headphones that connect to a device, such as a smartphone, stereo speaker, television, gaming console, computer, or other electronic devices without using a wire or cable. Wireless headphones work by transmitting audio signals through either radio or IR (infrared) signals, depending on the device.

Wireless headphones work by connecting, or pairing, with the device you want to use, through a radio or infrared signal. Many devices use Bluetooth technology to make connecting easier for the user. Devices with Bluetooth technology can connect and exchange data over very short distances using radio transmissions. Headphones with Bluetooth also let you connect to multiple devices simultaneously.

A product with Bluetooth technology has a tiny computer chip inside that contains the Bluetooth radio, and software that makes connectivity between devices possible. So when Bluetooth-enabled products, such as a cell phone and headphones, are in close proximity to each other, they connect, or pair. This enables you to talk on the phone or listen to music without wires.

Connecting a wireless headphone differs depending on the device you are using, but it’s easy once you know how. Here is a list of the most popular devices that people use with wireless headphones and how to connect them.

Step 1. Enter the headphones into pairing mode

Follow this procedure for a headband or in-ear headphones. For more details, refer to the Help Guide.
Note: For Truly Wireless headphones, refer to the model-specific Help Guide.

• When you pair the headphones with a device for the first time or after initializing, the headphones automatically enter the pairing mode when you remove them from the charging case. If you put on the headphones, you will hear a notification sound and the voice guidance saying Bluetooth pairing from the left unit.
• To pair the headphones with a second device:
  1. Press and hold the Power button for at least 7 seconds.
     
  2. The indicator flashes and you will hear the voice guidance saying Bluetooth pairing.
     

  Note: If the pairing is not finished within 5 minutes, the pairing mode on the headphones is canceled. If this happens, place the headphones into the charging case again and start the operation from the beginning.

Step 2. Pair the devices

Select your source device from the following list to confirm the pairing procedure:

Note: Not all Sony Android TVs can be used with Bluetooth headphones or speakers. Verify your TV supports Bluetooth using the article Can I use Bluetooth headphones, speakers, and soundbars with my Android TV or Google TV?

If the issue is not resolved

If the issue is still not resolved, refer to the article Troubleshooting Bluetooth pairing issues.