How to Connect Bose Headphones to Your iPhone

All Bose wired headsets can connect to iPhones equipped with a traditional audio jack, but recent iPhones don't have audio jacks, and many headphones are wireless.

Bose headphones connect to iPhones using the Bluetooth options in the iOS Settings or Bose's own Bose Connect app. Each method works well for making the initial connection, but the Bose Connect app tends to be more popular because it enables more functionality after the pairing is complete.

How to Connect Bose Headphones to iPhone Using Bose Connect App

The Bose Connect app is a free iOS app created by Bose for pairing the company's headphones and speakers to Apple iPhones and other iOS mobile devices.

Besides simplifying the entire connection process, the Bose Connect app installs firmware updates, which can add support for new features and fix audio bugs or glitches.

1. Download the Bose Connect app to your iPhone from the App Store.

2. Turn your Bose Bluetooth-compatible headset on by flicking the switch from red to green on the right earpiece. 

3. Open the Bose Connect app.

   Make sure you have Bluetooth enabled on your iPhone.

4. The Bose Connect iPhone app should automatically detect the Bose headphones. When it does, you see an image of your headphones and the text "Drag To Connect." Swipe down on the screen to begin connecting your Bose headset to your iPhone. If your headphones aren't detected, you see a screen offering several tips for helping your iPhone find them.

   

   If you wear the Bose headphones during this process, you hear audio confirmation of the connection when it's complete.

5. The Bose Connect app begins to sync with your iPhone, and the word "Connecting" appears at the bottom of the screen.

6. After the connection is confirmed, tap Ready To Play at the bottom of the screen. You can now use your Bose Bluetooth headset to listen to all audio on your iPhone.

   

   You may also see a "Preparing product update" message along the top of the Bose Connect app. This notice means the app is downloading an update that it sends wirelessly to your Bose headphones.

How to Pair Bose Headsets With iPhone Settings

While the Bose Connect app is the recommended method for pairing Bose headphones to an iPhone, you can also connect a Bose headset using the iOS Settings app.

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth on the iPhone. Bluetooth must be turned on for this method to work.

2. Turn on your Bose headphones by turning the switch on the right earpiece from red to green.

3. Under Other Devices, tap the headphones you want to use. When the connection to Bluetooth is made, the headphones move to the My Devices section with a status of Connected.

   

   The name of your headphones has "Bose" in it somewhere.

Your Bose headphones are now connected to your iPhone.

How to Disconnect Bose Headphones From an iPhone

Turning off your Bose Bluetooth headphones is simple. Just flick the switch on the right earpiece from green to red.

If you want to disconnect the headphones from your iPhone while still using them on another device, you can do that, too. Open the Bose Connect app, tap the image of your headphones, then tap Disconnect. You can also turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone to disable the wireless connection.

To remove Bose headphones from an iPhone altogether to prevent them from pairing automatically in the future, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the i symbol next to the headphones' name and then tap Forget This Device.