A Step-by-Step Walkthrough to Pair Sony Headphones to Mac

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An easy-to-follow guide for connecting Sony headphones to a Mac with troubleshooting steps

Co-authored by Darlene Antonelli, MA Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: December 6, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Connecting via Bluetooth
|
• Disconnecting and Unpairing
|
• Troubleshooting
|
• Tips

|Show more |Show less

Do you want to listen to your Sony headphones on your Mac? Luckily, pairing them is an easy process! This wikiHow article guides you step-by-step through the process of connecting your Sony headphones to a Mac as well as listing some troubleshooting steps that you can use if your headphones are cutting in and out or not connecting to your Mac.

Connecting Sony Bluetooth Headphones or Speakers with Your Mac

1. Put your Sony headphones in pairing mode.
2. Go to "System Preferences/System Settings > Bluetooth" on your Mac
3. Select "Connect" next to your headphones.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Connecting via Bluetooth

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1. 
   1
   Click the Apple icon

   

   . The icon looks like an apple in the top left corner of our screen.
2. 
   2
   Click System Settings. If you're using an older OS, like macOS 12 Monterey, this will say System Preferences instead.
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3. 
   3
   Click the Bluetooth icon

   

   . It's the blue icon that has a symbol that resembles a jagged "B" with a bracket behind it.

   • Alternatively, you can click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen, and then click Bluetooth Settings....
4. 
   4
   Toggle Bluetooth on if needed. The toggle will be colored if Bluetooth is on. If it's already on, skip this step.
5. 
   5
   Press and hold the "Power" button on your headphones. You'll find it on the left earcup.

   • For some Sony headphones, like the WH-1000XM3 and the WH-1000XM4, you need to hold the "Power" button for about 7 seconds.
   • If this is a sliding button, slide and hold it to the right, towards the Bluetooth symbol, until the lights blink.
   • Let go of the button when the Bluetooth light begins flashing. You'll hear "Bluetooth Pairing."
6. 
   6
   Click Connect next to your Sony headphones on your Mac. When your Mac discovers your Bluetooth headphones, they will appear in the list of available devices.

   • Once connected, you'll see your Sony headphones move from the bottom section of the "Devices" box to the top, indicating that you've connected.
   • Change your output volume from your speakers to your newly connected Sony headphones in the menu bar. Click your headphones under "Output Device."
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Disconnecting and Unpairing

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1. 
   1
   Open Bluetooth Settings. You can either click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar and select Bluetooth Settings... or you can click the Apple logo and select System Preferences/System Settings > Bluetooth.
2. 
   2
   Hover your mouse over your Sony headphones and select Disconnect. If you want to keep the pairing, but stop using the headphones for the moment, simply click Disconnect.

   • You can also click the Bluetooth icon on the top right side of your screen, then click the blue icon next to your headphones in the list of connected devices to disconnect.
3. 
   3
   Click

   

   next to your headphones to see options to unpair them. The "Info" button looks like a lowercase "i" inside a circle.
4. 
   4
   Click Forget This Device to unpair them. In this case, your computer will forget that pairing so you will have to restart the pairing process again to use your Sony headphones.

   • This step is great for troubleshooting if you're experiencing connectivity or sound issues with your headphones.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Troubleshooting

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1. 
   1
   Remove the device and add it again. Go to Bluetooth Settings and click the i next to your Sony headphones, then click Forget This Device. Once your Mac forgets that connection, pair them again using the first method.

   • This is the most reliable and easiest fix for any sound issues that you may have, so it should be the first thing that you try.
2. 
   2
   Make sure they are selected as the output source. Go to System Preferences/System Settings > Sound > Output and make sure Sony is the output device.
3. 
   3
   Make sure the headphones are charged. If you're not seeing them in your "Devices" list on your Mac, make sure that your headphones actually have enough charge to stay on and pair. You can plug them in and look at the charging light to see if they are good or not (blinking white/amber means they are charging and solid white/green means that the battery is full).
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Tips

• The Sony headphones will exit pairing mode automatically if they aren't paired to anything within 5 minutes. So if the process takes more than 5 minutes, try again.
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• You can pair up to 8 devices with many Sony headsets.
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