Your Sony headphones are switched on, but your phone or computer still can't find them. The pairing button and hold time depend on your model, and turning them on isn't the same as entering pairing mode. Use the matching controls below, then finish connecting in your device’s Bluetooth settings.
Start with the basic pairing sequence
Make the headphones discoverable first, then select them on the device you want to use.
- 1.Put your Sony headphones into pairing mode using the instructions for your model below.
- 2.Open your phone or computer’s Bluetooth settings and turn on Bluetooth.
- 3.Open the device discovery screen using the Android, iPhone, Windows, or Mac instructions below, then select your Sony model name.
- 4.Complete the pairing prompts. For WH-1000XM6, WH-1000XM5, and WH-CH530 series headphones, enter 0000 only if a passcode is requested.
If your headphones do not appear, check pairing mode
Turning on a previously paired WH-1000XM6 reconnects it to its last source instead of starting pairing with a new device.
For WH-1000XM6, charge the headphones before pairing.
Keep your phone or computer within 1 meter, about 3 feet. With no saved pairings, turning the headphones on starts pairing mode automatically.
For another device, hold the Bluetooth button for approximately five seconds or longer, until the blue indicator repeatedly flashes twice and you hear the pairing announcement.
On WH-1000XM5 and WH-1000XM5SA, hold the power button for approximately five seconds to enter pairing mode.
For WH-CH720N, hold the power button for approximately five seconds or longer, until the blue indicator double-flashes.
With ULT WEAR, 1000X THE COLLEXION, or WH-CH530 series headphones, hold the Bluetooth button for approximately five seconds or longer when pairing another device. ULT WEAR and 1000X THE COLLEXION enter pairing mode automatically on first use.
The WH-1000XM4 needs a longer hold: press its power button for approximately seven seconds.
Select WH-1000XM4 in your device’s Bluetooth list. If LE_WH-1000XM4 appears first, wait for WH-1000XM4; Sony says it may take about 30 seconds to 1 minute to appear.
Use the charging case for newer Sony earbuds
Case-button pairing makes these earbuds discoverable to an additional phone or computer.
For first-time pairing with WF-1000XM6, WF-1000XM5, LinkBuds Fit, LinkBuds Open, LinkBuds Clip, WF-C710N, WF-C700N, or WF-C510, remove both earbuds from the charging case to start pairing automatically.
To pair another device with any of those models, put both earbuds back in the case with the lid open.
Hold the case pairing button for at least five seconds. On WF-1000XM6, WF-1000XM5, LinkBuds Fit, and LinkBuds Open, the blue light double-flashes.
Select your earbuds’ model name in the phone or computer’s Bluetooth device list.
For original LinkBuds WF-L900, seat both earbuds securely in the case.
Close the case lid once.
Reopen the lid.
Hold the case pairing button for approximately five seconds.
Choose LinkBuds on your device’s Bluetooth screen.
Finish connecting on Android or iPhone
On Android, with the headphones in pairing mode, swipe down and touch and hold Bluetooth. Choose Pair new device, then tap your Sony model name. If Pair new device is absent, check Available devices or use More > Refresh.
Fast Pair works with compatible Sony headphones, including WH-1000XM6, on Android 6.0 or later with the required Google services. Enable Bluetooth and Location, keep the headphones near your phone, and put them in pairing mode. Tap Connect in the notification, followed by Set up if offered.
On an iPhone or iPad, put the headphones in pairing mode and open Settings > Bluetooth. Turn on Bluetooth. Tap your Sony model name in the device list.
Sony | Sound Connect is optional for ordinary Classic Bluetooth pairing. INZONE Buds require an LE Audio-compatible source; ordinary Bluetooth audio support alone is insufficient.
Pair with a Windows 11 PC
Put your headphones into pairing mode, then connect through Windows Settings.
- 1.Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
- 2.Turn on Bluetooth.
- 3.Select Add device > Bluetooth.
- 4.Select your Sony model and complete the pairing prompts.
Connect your headphones to a Mac
Make your Sony headphones discoverable using the pairing controls for your model.
Open Apple menu > System Settings > Bluetooth.
Point to your Sony headphones in the device list.
Click Connect.
For a later connection, select an available device from the Bluetooth status menu in Control Center.
When pairing or reconnection still fails
Use the matching fix below when your headphones remain missing, a saved connection stops working, or they connect to the wrong device.
For previously paired WH-1000XM6 headphones, hold the power button for approximately two seconds to turn them on and reconnect to the last source. A fresh pairing is unnecessary for each connection.
If another nearby device captures that connection, disable Bluetooth on that device.
Select the headphones in the intended device’s Bluetooth settings.
To clear a stale pairing on iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Bluetooth.
Tap the information button beside the headphones.
Select Forget this Device.
On Android phones with the Device connection menu, open Settings > Device connection.
Under Saved devices, open the settings icon beside your headphones.
Choose Forget > Forget Device.
For a stale Windows 11 entry, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
Remove the headphones using their More options > Remove device > Yes controls.
After removing a saved entry, put the headphones back into pairing mode.
Repeat the pairing procedure for your phone or computer.
If Windows 11 cannot discover the headphones, open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices.
Set Bluetooth devices discovery to Advanced.
When a paired WH-1000XM6 connects to Windows 11 but has no audio, open Sound settings from the taskbar speaker’s right-click menu.
Select WH-1000XM6 for Output.
Select WH-1000XM6 for Input.
If Sound Connect cannot access your headphones on an iPhone or iPad, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth.
Enable access for Sound Connect. This permission controls the app’s Bluetooth access; it is separate from ordinary Bluetooth audio playback.
Keep two devices connected with multipoint
WH-1000XM6 supports simultaneous connections to two sources. Other Sony models need multipoint support to use this feature.
Pair the headphones separately with each source using the normal pairing procedure.
Connect the phone running Sony | Sound Connect to the headphones.
In Sound Connect, open All device settings > Connection.
Enable Connect to 2 devices simultaneously.
Connect the second source from that device’s Bluetooth settings.
If the second source is connected but silent, stop and close the first source’s playback app before trying playback on the second source again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pair Sony headphones with a computer that has no Bluetooth?
On a Windows computer without built-in Bluetooth, connect a compatible USB Bluetooth adapter. Once Windows recognizes it, use the normal Bluetooth pairing procedure. Adapter compatibility and drivers depend on your computer.
Can I connect Sony Bluetooth headphones directly to a PS5?
PS5 does not directly pair with ordinary Bluetooth audio headphones. An INZONE USB-transceiver connection is a separate wireless method. Sony does not guarantee compatibility with third-party Bluetooth adapters.
Does resetting WH-1000XM6 headphones delete saved pairings?
No. A WH-1000XM6 reset preserves pairing records. Factory initialization deletes all headphone pairing information, and Sony recommends it if resetting does not resolve the problem. Reset and initialization procedures are model-specific.
Can I install Sony Sound Connect on my PC?
No. Sony provides Sound Connect as a mobile app and states that no PC version is available. Use your computer’s Bluetooth settings to pair compatible headphones.