How to Put Galaxy Buds in Pairing Mode (All Models)

This guide covers how to put any Samsung Galaxy Buds model into Bluetooth pairing mode so you can connect them to a new phone, tablet, or computer. The steps differ slightly between the older Galaxy Buds and the newer Galaxy Buds+ / Buds Pro / Buds Live / Buds2 / Buds2 Pro / Buds3 series, so we break it down by model. You’ll need your Galaxy Buds, their charging case, and the device you want to pair them with.

What You’ll Need

• Your Galaxy Buds and their charging case
• The device you want to pair to (phone, tablet, PC, etc.)
• Optional: the Samsung Wearable app (for Samsung phones) or the Galaxy Buds app (for other Android phones)

Step-by-Step

For Galaxy Buds (2019) and Galaxy Buds+

1. Place both earbuds in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Wait about 5 seconds, then open the lid. The earbuds should automatically enter pairing mode if they are not already connected to a device.
3. If they don’t enter pairing mode automatically, press and hold the touchpad on both earbuds simultaneously for about 3 seconds until you hear a chime. The LED indicator on the case (or the earbuds themselves) will blink blue to indicate pairing mode.
4. On your target device, go to Bluetooth settings and select “Galaxy Buds” (or “Galaxy Buds+”) from the list of available devices.
5. If prompted, confirm the pairing request on both devices. The earbuds will connect and you’ll hear a confirmation sound.

For Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Buds Pro

1. Put both earbuds in the charging case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid of the case. The earbuds should automatically enter pairing mode if they are not connected to any device.
3. If they don’t, press and hold the touchpad on both earbuds for about 3 seconds until you hear a chime and the LED on the case blinks blue.
4. On your device, open Bluetooth settings and look for “Galaxy Buds Live” or “Galaxy Buds Pro” in the list.
5. Tap to connect. You may need to confirm the pairing code on both screens.

For Galaxy Buds2 and Galaxy Buds2 Pro

1. Place both earbuds in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid. The earbuds will automatically enter pairing mode if they are not already paired to a device.
3. If not, press and hold both touchpads for about 3 seconds until you hear a chime. The case LED will blink blue.
4. On your device, go to Bluetooth settings and select “Galaxy Buds2” or “Galaxy Buds2 Pro” from the list.
5. Confirm the pairing request. The earbuds will connect and you’ll hear a tone.

For Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Buds3 Pro

1. Put both earbuds in the case and close the lid.
2. Open the lid. The earbuds should automatically enter pairing mode if they are not connected to any device.
3. If they don’t, press and hold the touchpad on both earbuds (or the stem, depending on the model) for about 3 seconds until the LED indicator blinks blue.
4. On your device, open Bluetooth settings and look for “Galaxy Buds3” or “Galaxy Buds3 Pro” in the list.
5. Tap to connect and confirm any prompts. The earbuds will connect and you’ll hear a sound.

For All Models (Alternative Method)

1. If the earbuds are already connected to a device, you may need to disconnect them first. You can do this by placing them in the case and closing the lid, then opening it again while the case is near the previously connected device.
2. Alternatively, on the paired device, go to Bluetooth settings and forget the earbuds. This will force them into pairing mode next time you open the case.
3. You can also use the Samsung Wearable app (or Galaxy Buds app) to reset the earbuds, which will put them in pairing mode. In the app, go to the “About earbuds” or “General” section and select “Reset”.

Common Mistakes

• Not closing the case lid: The earbuds need to be in the case with the lid closed for a few seconds before opening to trigger pairing mode. Skipping this can prevent them from entering pairing mode.
• Holding the touchpad too long or too short: The touchpad press-and-hold is about 3 seconds. Holding it for 10 seconds may trigger other functions like volume control or voice assistant.
• Earbuds already connected to another device: If the earbuds are still connected to your phone, they won’t enter pairing mode. You must disconnect or forget them first.
• Case battery dead: If the case has no charge, the earbuds won’t enter pairing mode. Make sure the case has at least some battery.
• Not checking the correct Bluetooth list: Sometimes the earbuds appear as “LE-Galaxy Buds” or similar. Make sure you select the one that matches the model name exactly.

Tips

• Keep the earbuds and case close to the device you’re pairing to (within a few feet) for a stable connection.
• If you’re pairing to a Samsung phone, the Samsung Wearable app will guide you through the process and may offer a quick connect popup when you open the case.
• To switch between devices, you can use the Samsung Wearable app’s “Switch earbuds” feature, or simply put the earbuds in the case, close the lid, and open it again near the new device.
• If the earbuds have been paired before, you may need to reset them. To reset, place them in the case and press and hold the touchpads for 10 seconds until the LED blinks red, then release. This clears all pairings and puts them in pairing mode.
• For Galaxy Buds3 series, you can also use the stem pinch gesture to enter pairing mode: pinch and hold the stem for a few seconds.

Troubleshooting

The earbuds won’t enter pairing mode. Make sure they are charged. If the case battery is low, charge it for at least 10 minutes. Also, try resetting the earbuds as described above.

The earbuds appear in the Bluetooth list but won’t connect. Delete the earbuds from your device’s Bluetooth list and try again. Also, make sure no other device is connected to the earbuds—if you have multiple devices, they may be fighting for connection.

The earbuds connect but immediately disconnect. This often happens when the earbuds are still connected to another device. Go to the other device and disconnect them, or reset the earbuds.

The LED on the case is blinking red. This indicates a low battery or an error. Charge the case and try again. If the issue persists, reset the earbuds.

I can’t find the earbuds in my device’s Bluetooth list. Make sure the earbuds are in pairing mode (LED blinking blue). If they are, try turning Bluetooth off and on on your device, or restart your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need the Samsung Wearable app to pair my Galaxy Buds?
A: No, you can pair them directly via Bluetooth settings. The app is optional and provides extra features like firmware updates and equalizer settings.

Q: Can I pair my Galaxy Buds to multiple devices at once?
A: Galaxy Buds can remember multiple paired devices, but they can only be connected to one device at a time. You can switch between devices by disconnecting from the current one and selecting them on the new device.

Q: How do I reset my Galaxy Buds?
A: Place the earbuds in the case, close the lid, then press and hold the touchpads on both earbuds for about 10 seconds until the LED blinks red. Release and the earbuds will reset and enter pairing mode.

Q: Why are my Galaxy Buds not showing up in the Bluetooth list?
A: Make sure they are in pairing mode (LED blinking blue). If they are, try restarting your device’s Bluetooth or the device itself. Also, check that the earbuds are charged.

Q: Can I pair my Galaxy Buds with a non-Samsung phone?
A: Yes, Galaxy Buds work with any Bluetooth device. You can pair them via Bluetooth settings, and you can use the Galaxy Buds app (available for Android) to manage them.

Q: How long does pairing mode stay active?
A> Pairing mode typically stays active for about 2 minutes. If you don’t connect within that time, the earbuds will turn off. Simply repeat the steps to enter pairing mode again.

Related

• Choose the Right Android TV Box for Streaming and Gaming
• DNS Settings: Step-by-Step Configuration Guide
• Oppo Reno16 5G vs Motorola Edge 70 Max: Key Differences