This article teaches you how to connect Bluetooth headphones to MacBook and other Mac devices and what to do if you can’t connect the headset correctly. It also explains how to remove or unpair a device.
What to Know
- Open System Preferences > Bluetooth > choose the headphones’ name and select Connect.Unpair devices by going to System Preferences > Bluetooth > select X next to device name > Remove.
How Do I Add Bluetooth Headphones to My Mac?
To connect your MacBook Bluetooth headphones to your Mac, you’ll need to place the Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode as well as initiate the search on your Mac. Here’s what to do.
- On your headphones, press the pairing button or take them out of their wireless charging case.
- Different headphones have different methods of pairing. If the above tip doesn’t work, consult the manual for your headphones.
- Click the Apple logo on the desktop.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click Bluetooth.
- Wait for the headphones to appear on the device list, then click Connect.
- Your Bluetooth headphones are now connected to your Mac.
How Do I Add Bluetooth Headphones in macOS Ventura?
The process for adding Bluetooth headphones in Ventura (macOS 13) is similar to older versions of macOS, but slightly different due to the re-designed interface.
On your headphones, press the pairing button or take them out of their wireless charging case.
Different headphones have different methods of pairing. If the above tip doesn’t work, consult the manual for your headphones.
Click the Apple logo on the desktop.
Click System Preferences.
Click Bluetooth.
Wait for the headphones to appear on the device list, then click Connect.
Your Bluetooth headphones are now connected to your Mac.
- Set your headphones to pairing mode.
- Select the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your desktop, then select System Settings.
- Select Bluetooth (you may need to scroll down to find it).
- Locate your headphones under Nearby Devices and move your cursor over their name, then select the Connect button next to it.
How to Connect Your Bluetooth Headphones via the Control Center
If you’d prefer to connect your Bluetooth headphones via the Control Center menu, you can also use your Mac Bluetooth this way. Here’s how to do it.
Set your headphones to pairing mode.
Select the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your desktop, then select System Settings.
Select Bluetooth (you may need to scroll down to find it).
Locate your headphones under Nearby Devices and move your cursor over their name, then select the Connect button next to it.
- Put your Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode.
- Click Control Center.
- Click Bluetooth.
- Click Bluetooth Preferences.
- Click Connect next to the device name.
Why Won’t My Bluetooth Headphones Connect to My Mac?
If your headphones don’t connect to your Mac, there are multiple reasons why this might be the case, with many of them being relatively simple fixes. We have a comprehensive guide on fixing headphones, but the key settings to check that you’ve activated pairing mode and Bluetooth is working on your Mac. It’s also worth checking if your Bluetooth headphones are charged and operating correctly with other devices.
Control Center requires you to have macOS Big Sur installed or above.
Put your Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode.
Click Control Center.
Click Bluetooth Preferences.
Click Connect next to the device name.
In macOS 13 Ventura, the steps are very slightly different. Put your headphones into pairing mode and open Control Center > Bluetooth as before, but then select Bluetooth Settings. From Bluetooth Settings, locate your headphones under Nearby Devices and select Connect.
How to Disconnect Your Bluetooth Headphones From Your Mac
If you wish to unpair your Bluetooth headphones from your Mac, the process is fairly simple. Here’s what to do.
- Click the Apple logo on the desktop.
- Click System Preferences.
- Click Bluetooth.
- Click the x next to your Bluetooth headphones’ name.
- You may need to hover over the device name for the x to appear.
- Click Remove.
How to Disconnect Bluetooth Headphones in macOS Ventura
As with adding headphones, the steps needed to disconnect them in macOS Ventura are slightly different.
To temporarily disconnect them, either switch off your Bluetooth headphones or turn Bluetooth off on your Mac.
Click the Apple logo on the desktop.
Click the x next to your Bluetooth headphones’ name.
You may need to hover over the device name for the x to appear.
Click Remove.
- Select the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the Finder, then System Settings.
- Select Bluetooth from the menu.
- Locate your headphones under My Devices and hover the cursor over their name, then select Disconnect when it appears.
How to Enable Bluetooth on Mac
To connect Bluetooth headphones to your Mac, you need to make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your MacBook or other Mac device so the two can communicate with each other. Here’s what to do:
Select the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the Finder, then System Settings.
Select Bluetooth from the menu.
Locate your headphones under My Devices and hover the cursor over their name, then select Disconnect when it appears.
- Click the Apple logo on the desktop.
- Click System Preferences.
- In macOS 13 Ventura, this option is named System Settings.
- Click Bluetooth.
- Click Turn Bluetooth On.
- In macOS 13 Ventura, the Turn Bluetooth On button has been replaced by a toggle next to the Bluetooth option. Turn the toggle on (it will appear blue) to turn on Bluetooth.
Typically, Macs have Bluetooth enabled by default, but it’s worth double-checking before pairing devices.
In macOS 13 Ventura, this option is named System Settings.
Click Bluetooth.
Click Turn Bluetooth On.
In macOS 13 Ventura, the Turn Bluetooth On button has been replaced by a toggle next to the Bluetooth option. Turn the toggle on (it will appear blue) to turn on Bluetooth.
- How do I connect Bose headphones to my Mac?
- To connect Bose headphones to your Mac, turn on Bluetooth (if it isn’t on already) and long-press the Power button on your headphones. Check your Mac’s Bluetooth devices list and choose the Bose headphones, then select Connect.
- How do I connect Sony headphones to my Mac?
- To connect Sony headphones, earbuds, or speakers to a Mac, turn them on and enter Pairing Mode. Turn on Bluetooth on your Mac, then select the headphones from the list of devices. If you’re asked for a password, use 0000.
To connect Bose headphones to your Mac, turn on Bluetooth (if it isn’t on already) and long-press the Power button on your headphones. Check your Mac’s Bluetooth devices list and choose the Bose headphones, then select Connect.
To connect Sony headphones, earbuds, or speakers to a Mac, turn them on and enter Pairing Mode. Turn on Bluetooth on your Mac, then select the headphones from the list of devices. If you’re asked for a password, use 0000.
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