How to Connect and Pair Sony Headphones With Any Device

How to Connect Sony Headphones

To connect Sony headphones, put them in pairing mode, turn on Bluetooth on your device and tap the model name:

1. Put your headphones or earbuds in pairing mode (table below). The indicator (blue) repeatedly flashes twice in a row.
2. On your phone, turn Bluetooth on. Sony's Android example is [Settings] - [Device connection] - [Bluetooth]; on an iPhone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth.
3. Tap the model name, such as WH-1000XM6 or WF-1000XM5.
4. If a passkey is requested, enter 0000. A notification sound (on some models, the voice guidance "Bluetooth connected") confirms the connection.

Sony notes that "The operation above is an example", so menu names can differ on your phone. Every Sony guide we read says the headphones remember up to 8 devices; a 9th replaces the one with the oldest connection date.

Pairing Mode by Sony Model

Each model starts manual pairing mode with its own control and hold time, as named in its Sony Help Guide:

Model	How to start pairing mode	How you know	Help Guide
First pairing (all below)	Turn the headphones on, or take both earbuds out of the case	Pairing mode starts automatically	Each model's pairing page
WH-1000XM6, WH-CH520	Hold the (Bluetooth) button about 5 seconds or more	Indicator (blue) repeatedly flashes twice in a row; voice guidance "Pairing"	WH-1000XM6, WH-CH520
WH-1000XM5	Hold the (power) button about 5 seconds	Same light; "Pairing"	WH-1000XM5
WH-1000XM4	Hold the (power) button about 7 seconds	Same light; "Bluetooth pairing"	WH-1000XM4
WF-1000XM6, WF-1000XM5, WF-C510	Earbuds in the case, lid open: hold the pairing button on the back of the charging case about 5 seconds or more	Case indicator flashes blue twice in a row	WF-1000XM6, WF-1000XM5, WF-C510
WF-C500	Hold the buttons on both earbuds about 5 seconds	Both indicators flash blue twice in a row; "Bluetooth pairing"	WF-C500

Case models don't enter pairing mode "with the charging case lid closed". We haven't read the guides for the WF-1000XM4, LinkBuds, WH-CH720N or ULT WEAR, so check that model's guide at helpguide.sony.net first.

Connect Sony Headphones to Your Device

Only the Bluetooth menu changes from device to device:

Device	After pairing mode	Full steps
iPhone or iPad	Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the model name under My Devices (Apple)	Steps above
Android	Touch and hold Bluetooth, tap Pair new device (Google)	How to Connect Sony Headphones to Android
Windows PC	Windows 11: [Bluetooth & devices] > [Add device] (Sony)	How to Connect Sony Headphones to a Windows PC
Mac	macOS 11 or later. Sony: System Preferences > Bluetooth, click Connect; Apple's current guide says System Settings	Steps above
TV, PS5 or Xbox	See the console and TV guide	Bluetooth headphones for PS5, Xbox and TV

Do You Need the Sony Sound Connect App?

No, the app isn't needed to pair. Every Sony pairing guide we read uses the phone's Bluetooth settings. Sony's WH-1000XM6 guide lists what the app adds, including software updates and multipoint connection to 2 devices. Sony warns the app connection "may become unstable" with some phones; if so, connect from Bluetooth settings.

How to Check Your Sony Headphones Are Connected

Your Sony headphones are connected when they give their model's signal and audio plays through them:

1. Listen: WH-1000XM6, WH-1000XM5 and WH-CH520 play a notification sound; WF-C500 and WH-1000XM4 say "Bluetooth connected".
2. Look at the case: with earbuds inside, the WF-1000XM6, WF-1000XM5 and WF-C510 case indicator flashes blue 10 times.
3. Play audio. If sound stays on your laptop, pick the headphones as the output ([Sound settings] > [Output] on Windows 11, System Settings > Sound on a Mac).