How to Use a Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

The Bose SoundSport Wireless Headphones are great companions to your on-the-go lifestyle, keeping your music flowing while you work out, or just go about your day.

This guide will take you through the basics of using your headphones.

Bose SoundSport headset.

2. Charge

This device will not function while charging.

  1. Plug the USB cable into the bottom of the right earbud.
USB cable being plugged into Bose headphones.
  1. Plug the other end of the cable into a wall charger powered USB port.
  2. While charging the light will blink amber. When it's fully charged it will change to green.
  3. When using the device, the power will be green, amber, or red depending on the charge.

3. More Information

Using your browser on your computer, visit https://www.bose.com/en_us/support/products/earphones_support/soundsport-wireless.html to view your user manual, order parts or accessories, and visit the community forum.

4. Basic Controls

 

Right Earbud

right earbud

Push once to turn on headset.Push and hold to enter Bluetooth pairing mode.When turned on, push and hold to turn off.In-Line Controls

in-line controls

+ Volume UpIncreases the volume.

Multi-Function button symbol.

Multi-function ButtonTap Once

  • Play or pause music.
  • Answer incoming call.
  • Hang up current call.

2 Quick TapsSkip Forward3 Quick TapsSkip BackwardTap then HoldFast ForwardTap Twice then HoldRewind- Volume DownDecreases the volume.

5. Pairing Mode

  1. Ensure the headset is powered on.
  2. Press and hold the Power/Bluetooth button until you hear "Ready to pair" or the Bluetooth indicator blinks blue.
Headphone showing where the Bluetooth and Power button is located.

6. Pair Bluetooth Devices

Some Bluetooth accessories are configured with a PIN or a passkey that is often listed in its manual. Check your Bluetooth accessory manual for the correct PIN or passkey.

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar to all Android devices and generations.

Use one of the following connection methods:

  • Method 1 - The Drop Down Menu
  • Method 2 - Settings

Drop down menu

  1. Swipe down from the top of the device screen if it's a phone or up from the bottom of the device screen if it's a tablet to access the menu.
  2. Locate the Bluetooth icon.
Bluetooth icon.
  1. Press and hold the Bluetooth icon.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.


  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

Android menu settings

  1. Locate and tap the Apps Menu.
Android apps icon.
  1. Locate and tap the Settings icon.
Android Settings icon.
  1. Select the Bluetooth. You may need to select Connections first.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.
  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

7. Pair Bluetooth Devices

  1. Next to "Bluetooth", slide the switch to the on position.
iOS Bluetooth screen with Bluetooth radio switch in the On position. Screenshot.
  1. Place your accessory in discovery mode and wait for it to appear on your iPod.
  2. If you don't see it or aren't sure how to make it discoverable, check the instructions that came with your accessory.
  3. Wait for the bluetooth device's name to appear in the My Devices list.
iOS Bluetooth screen with list of paired bluetooth devices near top. Screenshot.
  1. Tap your accessory name in the list to connect.
Example of device called Headphones within the available Bluetooth devices list. Screenshot.

  1. You might be asked to enter the PIN or passkey. If you aren't sure what your PIN or passkey is, check the accessory's documentation.

8. Pair Bluetooth Device

Some Bluetooth devices are configured with a PIN or a passkey that is often listed in its information manual. Check your Bluetooth device documentation for the correct PIN or passkey.

  1. Set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
    This process will vary depending on what kind of device you have. Refer to your device's documentation for specifics on how to accomplish this.
  2. Click the Action Center icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Action Center icon highlighted in Windows system tray.
  1. Tap on the All Settings tile after that.
All Settings option highlighted in Action Center panel.
  1. Then go to Devices.
Devices option highlighted in Windows settings.
  1. Select Bluetooth from the left-hand column and ensure the Bluetooth switch is in the On position to the right. Your Windows 10 device will become discoverable and start searching for devices.
Bluetooth switch highlighted in Windows devices settings.
  1. Once you see the device you want to pair the system with, select it then tap on Pair.
Pair option highlighted for discovered Bluetooth device.
  1. If asked to compare the passcode showing up on both devices, do so.
screenshot of a message asking to compair PINs and choose if they match.
  1. After the pairing was successful the device will show the Paired status under its name.
Paired status pointed out for Bluetooth device.

9. Pair Bluetooth Device

  1. Set your device to pairing mode. The way you do this may be differ from device to device.
    In many cases, you can place your device in pairing mode by having the device off, then pressing and holding the power button to start it up. Usually, after a few moments, it will indicate it is in paring mode (flashing its indicator light, for example), and you can release the power button.
  2. On the menu bar, click the Apple menu (1), then System Preferences (2).
Screenshot of the Apple menu, with System Preferences selected.
  1. Select Bluetooth.
System Preferences with Bluetooth highlighted.
  1. Ensure that it says Bluetooth: On. Turn it on with the button if it isn't.
Screenshot of the Bluetooth properties box. Annotation that shows how to turn the Bluetooth radio on.
  1. Your computer will search for any Bluetooth devices in range.
  2. Once your device is located, click Pair.
Bluetooth properties box with directions to click the Pair button next to the device you wish to connect to.
  1. Once the pairing process is complete, your Mac will automatically connect to the device whenever it is in range.

10. Installed Check

Bose Connect provides a number of additional features to your Bose headphones or speaker.

Bose Connect Icon.

The Bose Connect app may ask you to perform basic connection steps if your Bose device has not already been paired via Bluetooth with the device you intend to use it with.

11. Setup App

Update firmware:

  1. Launch the Bose Connect app from your home screen.
Bose Connect app icon.
  1.  
  2. If you have an available update, you will seen an icon indicating a firmware update. Tap the icon to start the update process.
Bose Connect App screen with download update button highlighted.
  1. Once the update is done downloading, it will start updating your headset.
Updating your product screenshot.

Modify Settings:

  1. Open the Bose Connect app from the home screen.
Bose Connect app icon.
  1. Tap on the settings cog.
Bose Connect App screen with Settings gear highlighted.
  1. You can now modify settings for your headphones.
Bose Connect App settings screen.

12. Android or iOS

The next steps depend on what kind of mobile device you use.

13. Install Android App

  1. Open Play Store.
Google Play Store icon.
  1. Type Bose Connect in the search bar and tap Install.
Bose Connect app page with install highlighted.
  1. Once installed, tap Open to proceed to the setup.
Bose Connect app page with open highlighted.

14. Install iOS App

  1. Open the App Store.
iOS App Store icon.
  1. Type in "Bose Connect" in the search bar.
  2. Find Bose Connect in the search results and tap on GET.
iOS app store showing the Bose Connect app with the get button highlighted.
  1. Tap on Install to start download.
Install button.

15. Update Firmware

Updating the firmware on your headphones or speaker can help provide a number of enhancements to your listening experience, or help solve problems you may have with your device.

The Bose Connect app takes care of updating the firmware for you.

Bose Connect Icon.

16. Installed Check

Bose Connect provides a number of additional features to your Bose headphones or speaker.

Bose Connect Icon.

The Bose Connect app may ask you to perform basic connection steps if your Bose device has not already been paired via Bluetooth with the device you intend to use it with.

17. Setup App

Update firmware:

  1. Launch the Bose Connect app from your home screen.
Bose Connect app icon.
  1.  
  2. If you have an available update, you will seen an icon indicating a firmware update. Tap the icon to start the update process.
Bose Connect App screen with download update button highlighted.
  1. Once the update is done downloading, it will start updating your headset.
Updating your product screenshot.

Modify Settings:

  1. Open the Bose Connect app from the home screen.
Bose Connect app icon.
  1. Tap on the settings cog.
Bose Connect App screen with Settings gear highlighted.
  1. You can now modify settings for your headphones.
Bose Connect App settings screen.

18. Android or iOS

The next steps depend on what kind of mobile device you use.

19. Install Android App

  1. Open Play Store.
Google Play Store icon.
  1. Type Bose Connect in the search bar and tap Install.
Bose Connect app page with install highlighted.
  1. Once installed, tap Open to proceed to the setup.
Bose Connect app page with open highlighted.

20. Install iOS App

  1. Open the App Store.
iOS App Store icon.
  1. Type in "Bose Connect" in the search bar.
  2. Find Bose Connect in the search results and tap on GET.
iOS app store showing the Bose Connect app with the get button highlighted.
  1. Tap on Install to start download.
Install button.

21. Pairing Mode

  1. Ensure the headset is powered on.
  2. Press and hold the Power/Bluetooth button until you hear "Ready to pair" or the Bluetooth indicator blinks blue.
Headphone showing where the Bluetooth and Power button is located.

22. Pair Bluetooth Devices

Some Bluetooth accessories are configured with a PIN or a passkey that is often listed in its manual. Check your Bluetooth accessory manual for the correct PIN or passkey.

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar to all Android devices and generations.

Use one of the following connection methods:

  • Method 1 - The Drop Down Menu
  • Method 2 - Settings

Drop down menu

  1. Swipe down from the top of the device screen if it's a phone or up from the bottom of the device screen if it's a tablet to access the menu.
  2. Locate the Bluetooth icon.
Bluetooth icon.
  1. Press and hold the Bluetooth icon.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.


  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

Android menu settings

  1. Locate and tap the Apps Menu.
Android apps icon.
  1. Locate and tap the Settings icon.
Android Settings icon.
  1. Select the Bluetooth. You may need to select Connections first.
  2. Swipe the switch to your right to set the Bluetooth accessory in pairing/discovery mode.
  3. A list of nearby devices and previously paired devices will be shown.
  4. In the list of Available Devices, choose the Bluetooth accessory you wish to pair with.
Android bluetooth menu showing the bluetooth switch in the on position and a list of bluetooth devices currently in range.
  1. If you are prompted for a passkey, put it in. If there is no passkey, then your Bluetooth accessory should be paired now.

23. Pair Bluetooth Devices

  1. Next to "Bluetooth", slide the switch to the on position.
iOS Bluetooth screen with Bluetooth radio switch in the On position. Screenshot.
  1. Place your accessory in discovery mode and wait for it to appear on your iPod.
  2. If you don't see it or aren't sure how to make it discoverable, check the instructions that came with your accessory.
  3. Wait for the bluetooth device's name to appear in the My Devices list.
iOS Bluetooth screen with list of paired bluetooth devices near top. Screenshot.
  1. Tap your accessory name in the list to connect.
Example of device called Headphones within the available Bluetooth devices list. Screenshot.

  1. You might be asked to enter the PIN or passkey. If you aren't sure what your PIN or passkey is, check the accessory's documentation.