Rumors are running rampant about the new iPhone not having a headphone jack. Whether or not that’ll be the case once the phone ships in the Fall, it’s great to know alternative ways to listen to podcasts, music and more from your devices.
You can set up your iPhone and Apple Watch with a number of Bluetooth accessories, including speakers, headphones, and tons of other devices. I particularly like sending music via Bluetooth from my Mac to the Amazon Echo. Today we’re going to focus on setting up your iPhone and Apple Watch with Bluetooth headphones.
Using Bluetooth headphones gives you the freedom to not have a cord hanging down in front of you if you’re going for a walk, or even better just using your Watch with a set of headphones leaves you with as little gear on you as possible if you’re going for a run.
Setting up your phone and watch with Bluetooth is fairly simple. Here’s how:
How to use Bluetooth headphones with your iPhone
- Open up the Settings app and then tap on Bluetooth.
- Make sure that the Bluetooth is on by switching on the toggle switch.
- Next, place your headphones in discovery mode. Each pair of headphones has a different way of enabling this mode, so make sure to read the documentation that came with your device.
- Once you see your headphones show up in the Bluetooth list, tap on the device name to Pair the headphones with your iPhone.
- You may have to enter a pin for the headphones to pair successfully. Again, make sure you check the documentation that came with your headphones to find out what number this is.
How to use Bluetooth headphones with your Apple Watch
- Place your headphones in discovery mode. Each pair of headphones has a different way of enabling this mode, so make sure to read the documentation that came with your device.
- Press the Digital Crown on your Watch and tap on the Settings app.
- Tap on Bluetooth once you’re in Settings.
- Tap on your headphones’ name once they show up in the Devices list.
- You may have to enter a pin for the headphones to pair successfully. Again, make sure you check the documentation that came with your headphones to find out what number this is.
Send audio to your Bluetooth headphones on iPhone
Once you have paired your iPhone with your headphones, normally it will automatically send audio to that device. However, occasionally if the device is paired but audio is not streaming to that device, you’ll have to select it. Here’s how:
- Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center
- Tap on the Airplay Button
- Tap on your device’s name. Alternatively, if you want to switch back to the iPhone’s internal speaker, tap iPhone.
- Note, you’ll have to make sure you’re already connected to a Bluetooth device for AirPlay to show up in Control Center.
Send audio to your Bluetooth headphones on Apple Watch
- While playing audio, flick up from the bottom of the screen and scroll over to the screen on the left. This will have helpful options such as Airplane Mode, DND, Silent and more.
- Tap on the Airplay Button
- Tap on your device’s name.
What do you listen to your music and other audio on?
We won’t know for sure until the Fall whether or not our devices will lose the headphone jack, but for now you can be prepared by utilizing Bluetooth headphones. Where do you listen to your music, podcasts and more? Let me know in the comments below!
