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How to set up Bluetooth multipoint on your headphones
Bluetooth headphones make it easy to listen to music or podcasts almost anywhere. But if you’re the kind of person who jams out to tunes while working and doesn’t want to miss your Slack calls, take advantage of Bluetooth multipoint.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on September 15, 2023 to update formatting.
What is Bluetooth multipoint?
Bluetooth might be most well-known for its nearly effortless ability to connect headphones to a computer or smartphone. Multipoint extends this capability to more than one device at a time. It gets more complicated than that, though. For an in-depth look, check out our guide to multipoint.
The advantage of this becomes evident if you think of an everyday use case. For example, if you’re listening to music from your phone with wireless earbuds and a Slack call comes in on your laptop, multipoint will deliver that alert without any hassle and will (usually) let you switch devices seamlessly. Typically, multipoint involves a main device and a secondary one, but again this varies. Not every headset model supports multipoint, but some of the most well-known do. We’ll get into some specifics about the most popular brands of headphones shortly.
What’s the difference between simple and advanced multipoint?
Simple Bluetooth multipoint drops a call on one device if another arrives elsewhere. Advanced, on the other hand, maintains both and puts the previous one on hold. Furthermore, some devices support the ability to push through notifications from one device, like a computer, without completely stopping music playback through another, such as a phone. The specifics depend on your model of headphones and playback devices.
Keep in mind that your ears can only listen to one stream of information at a time. If you’re mastering multiple audio tracks across files and devices, multipoint (or even Bluetooth headphones in general) may not be the solution for you.
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint?
While the specific instructions for using Bluetooth multipoint with your headphones will vary, we’ll cover some of the most popular brands, and go over the basic phone and computer scenario here. However, know that plenty of other options exist. Check the manual or manufacturer’s website to see if your favorite headphones support Bluetooth multipoint.
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint with Sony headphones?
Sony’s most well-known model of noise canceling Bluetooth headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4, supports multipoint. To use it:
- Pair the headphones to a computer and phone
- Open the Sony Headphones Connect app
- Under the System tab, enable “Connect to 2 devices simultaneously”
- Under the Status tab, tap on the name of the currently connected device
- From the list of available devices, select the other one you wish to connect
- Ensure both devices now appear under “Device Currently Being Connected”
- You can now listen to music from either source and switch to an incoming call by tapping the touch sensor twice quickly
Bluetooth multipoint only works with the AAC Bluetooth codec. So, don’t expect the ultimate in audio quality—especially on Android devices. But it works well enough for casual listening at your desk or the gym.
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint with Bose headphones?
Bose’s flagship wireless headphones model, the Bose Noise Canceling 700, supports Bluetooth multipoint. To use it:
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- Open the Bose Music app
- Tap on the name of your headphones
- Tap on Source
- Already configured devices should sync automatically, but if not, tap the slider next to their name to do so
- To add a new device while synced to another, select “Add new”
The Bose Noise Canceling 700 keeps a list of up to eight devices, but only two will work with Bluetooth multipoint simultaneously. Play music or videos on one, then pause and switch between them as desired.
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint with Jabra headphones?
The Jabra Elite 75t and Active 75t, Elite 45h, Elite 85h, and Elite 85t support Bluetooth multipoint. Jabra calls it “Multiuse.” The process works the same way as syncing a new Bluetooth device. Two devices may connect simultaneously, and you can store a list of up to eight within the Jabra Sound+ app.
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint with Jaybird headphones?
Jaybird headphones, including the Freedom, Freedom 2, X4, and many others, support Bluetooth multipoint. The specific steps vary between models, but in general:
- Connect to one device via Bluetooth
- Put your headphones back into pairing mode
- Pair up the second device
- One device can now play music and movies, and the other is the secondary for taking calls or answering notifications
Playing music on one device will pause it on the other and vice versa. Receiving a call means the music pauses so that you can answer.
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint with Anker headphones?
Some models of Anker Soundcore headphones, including the Life Q35 and Q30, support Bluetooth multipoint. Check your manual to be sure, but in general:
- Connect to one device via Bluetooth
- Enter Bluetooth sync mode as if you were adding a new device
- Connect to your Anker headphones on another device
- The first device is the main, and the other becomes a secondary
The main device is the one you’ll play music and movies on. It will take priority unless a phone call comes in, which supersedes all other content. To switch between devices, pause playback on one and then start it on the other.
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint with Samsung Galaxy Buds?
Things get a bit more interesting if you own the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, Galaxy Buds 2, Galaxy Buds Live, or Galaxy Buds Plus and a compatible Samsung device. None of these models support Bluetooth multipoint, but each headset can automatically switch devices as soon as you hit play on any device, as long you sync them properly on each. There is no need to swipe, tap, or dive into settings menus. Be sure you’re signed in to the same Samsung account on all your Galaxy devices so that this feature works correctly.
If you’ve got the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro but no other compatible Galaxy device, you can still switch between sources manually:
- Open the Galaxy Wearable app
- Tap the Menu icon (three vertical lines)
- The currently connected device appears at the top of the list
- Tap another device to connect to two devices at once
Of course, this method means no automatic switching. Instead, you’ll have to start and stop music yourself on each device.
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint with Sennheiser headphones?
Certain Sennheiser headphones models support Bluetooth multipoint, including the HD 450BT, HD 350BT, MOMENTUM 3 Wireless, and PXC 550 II. The level to which it works varies, but you’ll find the setting in the Sennheiser Smart Control app under “Connection.”
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint with V-Moda headphones?
Select models of V-Moda headphones support Bluetooth multipoint, including V-Moda Crossfade 2 Wireless and Crossfade 2 Wireless Codex Edition. Use the V-Moda app on Android or iOS to add devices and connect to two at the same time.
How do you use Bluetooth multipoint with Apple AirPods earbuds?
If you’re already in Apple’s cozy ecosystem, then you’ll be happy to hear that the AirPods and the AirPods Pro can switch automatically between devices. Much like the Samsung Galaxy Buds, this requires compatible Apple devices to work. Similarly, you must use the same Apple ID across all these devices. Calls take precedence; the earbuds will switch to your iPhone if one comes in. This won’t work with any other brands’ devices. We don’t recommend that you try, anyway.
Bluetooth multipoint can help make your listening experience seamless. As you switch between tasks and devices, your wireless headphones can do so, too. For example, think of keeping a TV show going in the background while working from home yet still getting notifications of incoming calls. The possibilities are nearly endless, and the right multipoint pair of Bluetooth headphones could change the entire way you listen to music.