To connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds, turn on Bluetooth, open the case, enter pairing mode, and select them on your device.
Learning how to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds is simple once you know where pairing mode starts. The exact button may differ between Beoplay EX, EQ, E8, and other models, but the process follows the same Bluetooth steps. This guide explains setup, app use, device switching, common problems, and reliable fixes based on standard B&O pairing guidance and hands-on troubleshooting.
Before you connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds
Before learning how to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds, prepare both the earbuds and your phone, tablet, or computer. Good preparation prevents most pairing errors.
Charge the earbuds and charging case first. Low battery power can stop pairing mode or cause the connection to drop. You do not need a full charge, but a case with at least some power is helpful.
Also keep the earbuds close to the device. Bluetooth usually works well across a room, but the first connection is more reliable when the earbuds are within a few feet.
Check these points before you begin:
• Remove the earbuds from any device they already use.
• Turn off Bluetooth on nearby phones, tablets, or laptops for a moment.
• Make sure the earbuds sit correctly in the charging case.
• Install the Bang & Olufsen app if you want firmware updates and sound controls.
• Keep your phone or computer’s operating system updated.
Most Bang & Olufsen earbuds use Bluetooth for audio and calls. The Bang & Olufsen app adds useful features, but you normally pair the earbuds through the device’s Bluetooth menu first.
How to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds to an iPhone or Android phone
The easiest way to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds is through your phone’s Bluetooth settings. The names of the menus may vary slightly between iPhone and Android.
Follow these steps:
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Place both earbuds in the charging case.
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Open the case lid.
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Press and hold the pairing button, if your model has one.
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For some touch controlled models, touch and hold both earbuds at the same time.
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Keep holding until the indicator light flashes blue or shows the pairing signal.
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Open Settings on your phone.
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Select Bluetooth.
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Turn Bluetooth on.
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Wait for your Bang & Olufsen model to appear in the list.
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Tap the name, such as Beoplay EX, Beoplay EQ, or Beoplay E8.
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Accept the pairing request if your phone displays one.
After pairing, place the earbuds in your ears and play a short song. This confirms that both earbuds connect and that the left and right channels work correctly.
When learning how to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds, do not open the B&O app before the phone’s Bluetooth connection is complete. The app may detect the earbuds, but the phone still needs to create the main audio connection.
On Android, you may also see separate options for calls, media audio, or contacts. Allow media audio if you want music playback. Allow call access only if you want to use the earbuds for phone calls.
How to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds to a computer
You can connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds to a Windows PC or Mac just like any other Bluetooth headphones. This is useful for video calls, music, online classes, and travel.
Connect to a Windows PC
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Put the earbuds into pairing mode.
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Open the Windows Start menu.
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Select Settings.
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Choose Bluetooth & devices.
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Turn Bluetooth on.
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Select Add device.
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Choose Bluetooth.
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Select your Bang & Olufsen earbuds from the list.
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Wait for Windows to confirm the connection.
If Windows connects the earbuds but produces no sound, open the sound settings. Select the Bang & Olufsen earbuds as the output device. During calls, Windows may show two audio options: a high quality stereo mode and a hands free mode. The hands free option may reduce music quality because it activates the microphone.
Connect to a Mac
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Enter pairing mode on the earbuds.
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Open the Apple menu.
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Select System Settings.
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Choose Bluetooth.
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Find your Bang & Olufsen earbuds.
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Click Connect.
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Open the sound menu if you need to select them as the output device.
A common mistake is choosing the earbuds for output but not for microphone input. Open the Mac sound settings and select the earbuds under both Output and Input when you want to use them for calls.
I have found that computers often remember older Bluetooth profiles longer than phones do. If your earbuds appear connected but do not play sound, remove them from the computer’s Bluetooth list and pair them again. This small reset solves many computer connection issues.
How to use the Bang & Olufsen app
The Bang & Olufsen app is not always required to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds. However, it can improve the setup experience and provide access to extra controls.
Use the app to:
• Check battery levels.
• Install firmware updates.
• Adjust sound with an equalizer.
• Change touch controls.
• Manage transparency and noise cancellation features.
• Rename the earbuds.
• Review supported settings for your model.
After you pair the earbuds with your phone, open the app and follow the setup instructions. The app may ask for Bluetooth, local network, or notification permissions. These permissions can help the app find and manage the earbuds.
Keep the app open during firmware updates. Do not close the case or move the earbuds far from the phone until the update finishes. An interrupted update can cause temporary connection problems.
App features vary by model. For example, active noise cancellation and advanced control settings may be available on Beoplay EX or EQ but not on older Beoplay E8 models.
How to put different Bang & Olufsen models into pairing mode
The basic method for how to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds is similar across models, but the control method can change.
Beoplay EX and Beoplay EQ
Place both earbuds in the case and open the lid. Use the pairing control shown in the model’s quick start guide, then wait for the Bluetooth light to flash. Select the earbuds from your phone’s Bluetooth menu.
Some newer models use touch surfaces instead of a large physical button. Touch controls can be sensitive, so keep your fingers still while activating pairing mode.
Beoplay E8 models
Older E8 versions may use touch controls on both earbuds. With the earbuds out of the case, touch and hold the correct areas until the indicator shows pairing mode. The timing can vary by generation, so check the instructions for your exact E8 version.
Beoplay Eleven and newer models
Newer models generally use the charging case or touch controls to start pairing. Open the case, make sure the earbuds have charge, and follow the light signal before selecting them in Bluetooth settings.
The most important lesson is to identify the exact model. The product name may appear on the case, inside the app, or on the original packaging. Pairing instructions can differ between generations, even when the earbuds look similar.
How to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds to a second device
Many Bang & Olufsen earbuds support more than one remembered device. Some models also support multipoint Bluetooth, which allows two active connections at once. Support depends on the model and firmware version.
To connect a second device:
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Disconnect the earbuds from the first device, or turn off Bluetooth on it.
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Place the earbuds in pairing mode.
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Open Bluetooth settings on the second device.
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Select the Bang & Olufsen earbuds.
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Test audio on the new device.
If your model supports multipoint, reconnect the first device after pairing the second one. You may then switch between a phone and a computer without pairing again.
There is an important difference between remembered devices and active multipoint connections. An earbud may remember several devices but connect actively to only one. If sound does not switch automatically, pause audio on the first device and select the earbuds manually on the second.
I once spent several minutes trying to connect earbuds to a laptop while a nearby phone kept taking control. Turning off Bluetooth on the phone immediately solved the issue. This is one of the simplest and most overlooked tips for how to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds.
What to do when Bang & Olufsen earbuds will not connect
If the earbuds do not appear in Bluetooth settings, start with the simple fixes. Most connection problems come from an incomplete pairing mode, a low battery, or an old saved Bluetooth record.
Try these steps in order:
• Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid.
• Wait about 10 seconds.
• Open the case and activate pairing mode again.
• Move the earbuds close to the phone or computer.
• Turn Bluetooth off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
• Remove the old Bang & Olufsen entry from Bluetooth settings.
• Restart the phone, tablet, or computer.
• Check that the earbuds and case have enough charge.
• Open the B&O app and check for a firmware update.
If the earbuds show as connected but there is no sound, check the selected audio output. Your device may still use its built in speaker or another wireless device.
If only one earbud works, return both earbuds to the case. Clean the charging contacts with a dry, soft cloth. Then charge them and try again. Dirt on the contacts can prevent one earbud from charging or syncing.
Avoid pressing random buttons repeatedly. Some controls start pairing, while others reset the earbuds or change noise control settings. Use the instructions for your exact model when a normal reconnection does not work.
How to reset Bang & Olufsen earbuds
A reset can help when learning how to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds after a failed pairing attempt. It removes stored connections and returns the earbuds to a fresh setup state.
The reset process varies by model. In many cases, you place both earbuds in the case or wear them, then touch or hold specific controls for several seconds. Other models use a button on the charging case.
Before resetting, remember:
• A reset may erase saved Bluetooth devices.
• You may need to set up the earbuds in the app again.
• Personalized controls may return to their default settings.
• Firmware usually remains installed, but the earbuds may need to reconnect to the app.
After the reset, remove the old earbuds entry from every device you use. Then restart Bluetooth and pair again as if the earbuds were new.
Do not reset the earbuds as your first step if the problem is only low volume or weak noise cancellation. A reset is more useful for repeated pairing failures, one earbud not responding, or a connection that drops immediately.
How to improve the Bluetooth connection
Knowing how to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds is only part of a reliable setup. Your surroundings and device settings also affect Bluetooth performance.
Keep the phone on the same side of your body as the earbud when possible. Your body can block some wireless signals, especially when the phone is in a back pocket or bag.
Avoid using the earbuds near heavy wireless traffic. Crowded airports, gyms, offices, and train stations can create more interference. This does not mean your earbuds are faulty. It means many wireless devices are sharing the same space.
For a stronger connection:
• Keep the earbuds within a normal Bluetooth range.
• Avoid covering the phone with metal objects.
• Update the earbuds and companion app.
• Keep only the needed Bluetooth devices connected.
• Use the correct audio output on your computer.
• Charge both earbuds evenly.
Bluetooth performance can also change with walls, appliances, and older computers. If the connection works well with your phone but not your laptop, the laptop’s Bluetooth driver or hardware may be the cause.
Common mistakes to avoid
Small mistakes can make how to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds seem harder than it is. Avoid these common errors during setup.
Pairing without entering pairing mode
Opening the case does not always make the earbuds discoverable. You may need to hold a case button or touch both earbuds first.
Leaving an old device connected
The earbuds may connect to the last phone they used. Turn off Bluetooth on that device before pairing with a new one.
Ignoring the charging case
The case is part of the pairing system for many B&O models. If it has no power, the earbuds may not enter pairing mode correctly.
Pairing through the app only
The app helps manage the earbuds, but your phone’s Bluetooth menu usually creates the primary connection. Pair there first.
Resetting too soon
A reset can remove useful settings and saved devices. Try a Bluetooth restart, device removal, and fresh pairing before using a full reset.
Using the wrong model instructions
Beoplay EX, EQ, E8, and other models may use different touch patterns or case buttons. Confirm the model before following a reset or pairing sequence.
Frequently asked questions about how to connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds
How do I put Bang & Olufsen earbuds in pairing mode?
Place the earbuds in or near their charging case and use the case button or touch controls required by your model. Wait for the Bluetooth indicator to flash, then select the earbuds in your device’s Bluetooth settings.
Why are my Bang & Olufsen earbuds not showing up on Bluetooth?
They may not be in pairing mode, or they may still be connected to another device. Charge them, turn off Bluetooth on nearby devices, restart pairing mode, and search again.
Do I need the Bang & Olufsen app to connect the earbuds?
No. You can usually connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds through your phone or computer’s Bluetooth menu. The app is useful for updates, equalizer settings, battery checks, and device management.
How do I connect Bang & Olufsen earbuds to a new phone?
Turn off Bluetooth on the old phone or remove the earbuds from its saved devices. Put the earbuds into pairing mode, open Bluetooth on the new phone, and select the Bang & Olufsen model.
Can Bang & Olufsen earbuds connect to two devices?
Some models support multipoint connections, while others only remember several devices and connect to one at a time. Check your model’s specifications and update its firmware for the latest supported features.
How do I reset Bang & Olufsen earbuds?
The reset method depends on the model and may involve holding the case button or both earbud touch controls. Check the instructions for your exact model, then remove the old Bluetooth entry and pair again.
Why does only one Bang & Olufsen earbud connect?
One earbud may not be charged, or the earbuds may have lost their internal sync. Place both in the case, clean the charging contacts, charge them fully, and try pairing again.
Conclusion
Connecting Bang & Olufsen earbuds usually takes only a few steps: charge the case, activate pairing mode, open Bluetooth settings, and select the correct model. The Bang & Olufsen app can then add firmware updates, sound controls, and battery information.
If pairing fails, remove the old Bluetooth record, disconnect nearby devices, restart Bluetooth, and reset the earbuds only when needed. Use the instructions for your exact model, since touch controls and reset steps can vary.
Set up your earbuds today, test both audio and calls, and explore the app to get the best experience. If you found a useful pairing tip, share it in the comments or explore more device setup guides.
Everett Ashford is a tech reviewer at mytechgrid.com specializing in SSDs, cameras, TVs, earbuds, headphones, and other consumer electronics. He provides honest, data-driven reviews based on hands-on testing and real-world performance analysis. Everett simplifies complex tech details to help readers make smart, confident buying decisions.
