How can I pair / connect bluetooth speakers to my Mac?

My brother sent me some really cool wireless bluetooth speakers for my computer and I can't figure out how to make them work. Is there some secret to getting a MacBook to use a bluetooth speaker system?

Dave's Answer:

Actually, there is a nuance involved with bluetooth speakers based on my experience because pairing them to your Mac doesn't automatically mean that they're selected as audio output devices. It's a two step process and the Bluetooth Setup Assistant doesn't make that clear at all.

A few weeks ago YUBZ sent me a pretty cool bluetooth speaker called a MAGNUM and I went through the same confusion it sounds like you're having.

The first step with bluetooth devices of any sort is to put them into "pairing" or "discoverable" mode, which in this case involves pushing and holding the power button for about ten seconds.

Then, on your Mac, go to "System Preferences..." --> "Bluetooth":

Make sure you have Bluetooth turned on (e.g. that box checked), then click on "Set Up New Device..." which actually launches the Bluetooth Setup Assistant:

Hopefully your device shows up here: if it doesn't then double-check that it's in pairing mode (check the manual if it's not obvious). In this case, the generically named "Headset" is actually the remote speaker we want to connect.

Choose it and click "Continue"...

What you should see next is that the computer has figured out some information about the device, it's "discovered" it:

As you can see, it's now paired, but it's not connected. Confusing. In fact, it sounds like this is where you got without being able to proceed further. No surprise, this is where you seem to need insider info.

See the little gear button on the bottom? You need to click it:

Ahhh... that's what we want: "Use as Audio Device". Choose stereo if it is indeed a stereo device (it probably is) or mono otherwise. Now it's all good:

That's all there is to it. You have to take that second step for it to work or you'll have the bluetooth pairing but it won't actually be used as a speaker. That'll get you working, so have fun!

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Categorized: Mac OS X Help (Article 9478, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: bluetooth headsets, bluetooth pairing, bluetooth speakers, imac, macbook pro
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Reader Comments To Date: 19

ranjani said, on July 1, 2010 12:05 AM:

hi,
I have connected my digital camera to my pc through usb cable but there was no pop up menu/window has been shown on my pc. So i want to ask what to do in this situation.

Morag said, on September 29, 2011 2:12 PM:

Thank you! I could not get my iMac to link to my new Bose wireless portable speaker and could not find help anywhere but your extra steps lead me to a solution...

Chris said, on December 30, 2011 6:40 PM:

Thank you so much for helping me to properly pair my Bose SoundLink to my MacBook.

Helpful with light humor involved is always appropriate.

Happy New Year!

solomon said, on January 4, 2012 11:21 PM:

I am trying to set up bluetooth speakers on my macbook pro os 10.4.11. It pairs, but it cannot connect, and there is no connect button or icon in the bluetooth setup. I also cannot find the bluetooth speakers in the audio out options. Does only OS 10.5+ support bluetooth speakers? If only OS 10.5+ supports bluetooth speakers, then why are bluetooth headphones an option in the bluetooth setup menu?

Nate said, on February 18, 2012 10:37 AM:

Dave,

Thanks for your post, it worked right away. The only difference on my computer was that when I paired the device and went to the gear at the bottom of the screen, I had to select 'Show more info' and the 'Update User Device'. Great walk through on this, you put me on the right track.

Cheers

Thitsa said, on May 11, 2012 11:22 AM:

thank you so much- so simple- you would think they would have a forced action for you to take to activate. my headphones work great now!!!

Phil said, on August 30, 2012 12:15 PM:

Having spent 2 1/2 hours scouring the web for a solution, finally come across this which DOES allow playback through Bose Soundlink... Genius!

ben Que said, on November 13, 2012 12:32 PM:

thank you so much

Jamireau said, on November 25, 2012 6:50 AM:

Hi Dave, in fact I did all the above but still no connection although my Macbookpro is paired to my Paranello speaker. Is there any reason you can think of that may cause no connection ?

Crystal said, on December 3, 2012 3:04 PM:

THANK YOU. Very helpful.

Peter Douglas said, on December 18, 2012 9:22 PM:

Yet another step for me, I had to go back into Settings - Sound, Output tab and select the device for sound output.

Debbie said, on January 6, 2013 1:11 PM:

Thank you so very much....couldn't figure out how to do this anywhere else! Happy again!

kamil said, on January 15, 2013 9:04 AM:

thankyou, i had no clue!

saltan said, on February 4, 2013 9:13 PM:

thanks man

Nkanyiso Ngcobo said, on February 9, 2013 9:05 AM:

Thanks Dave< I've been frustrated for days as I couldn't connect to my Samsung Soundbar. You have certainly made my weekend.

adam said, on March 14, 2013 6:47 PM:

I did everything. I'm trying to get my laptop to play on my JBL OnBeat Awake http://eu.jbl.com/jbl_product_detail_eu/jbl-onbeat-awake-black.html but no sound will come out even though fully synced.

Dave Taylor said, on March 14, 2013 10:20 PM:

adam, are you sure that you've selected the JBL's as your audio output device? I've seen the smarter and more capable the device, the harder time the computer or gadget has figuring out what exactly it should be sending to the device.

Greg said, on April 17, 2013 8:40 PM:

Thank you so much! You're the first post in many to clear up this issue.

Axel said, on April 19, 2013 7:28 AM:

Works great! I just paired the JBL Charge. And do not forget to push the button "use as audio device"
Also a fine tool for presentations with audio :-)

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How can I pair / connect bluetooth speakers to my Mac?

Reader Comments To Date: 19

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

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