Auto connect between Sony bluetooth headphones, Mac, and iPhone?

September 14, 2024 5:54 PM

I have a Macbook Air and and an iPhone. Both are several generations old but in decent shape. I recently bought new Sony bluetooth headphones. I can connect them with the Mac OR with the iPhone, but if I want to switch between them, I need to go through the pairing process each time (including going to Bluetooth Preferences and clicking "Forget" for the headphones, etc.) Shouldn't it be smart enough to "remember" the headphones on both devices (this is how I'm told Air Pods work)?
posted by O Time, Thy Pyramids to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Some Bluetooth devices allow you to connect to multiple devices, others don't. Which model of Sony headphones do you have? Check the specs to see if they allow multi device pairing.
posted by Runes at 7:26 PM on September 14

Some (higher-end) Sony headphones allow second-device connections, but some don't.

It's odd that you have to "forget" one pair to pair another, though. What happens when you simply "disconnect?"
posted by praemunire at 7:54 PM on September 14 [1 favorite]

Have you considered TURNING OFF Bluetooth on the device you're NOT using to force a disconnect, if disconnect didn't work?
posted by kschang at 8:24 PM on September 14 [2 favorites]

Well yeah, if you’re clicking “forget” then you’re specifically telling your computer not to remember them.

You SHOULD be able to switch from Device A to Device B by turning off Bluetooth on Device A, then selecting the headphones as an output on Device B. Does that work for you?
posted by mekily at 12:36 AM on September 15 [1 favorite]

Check in the device manual that your headphones have Multipoint connect and you have the Sony Headphone Connect app on one of the devices as per https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/00249936.

I have seen Shokz headsets which pair with a primary and secondary device without an app, so maybe you don't need the Sony app.
posted by k3ninho at 2:49 AM on September 15