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How to Pair Aftershokz Air: A Definitive Guide

Pairing your Aftershokz Air headphones is a quick and straightforward process that unlocks a world of audio enjoyment, allowing you to stay connected and aware of your surroundings. This guide provides a comprehensive step-by-step walkthrough, troubleshooting tips, and answers to frequently asked questions to ensure seamless connectivity with your devices.

Initial Pairing: Getting Started

The first time you use your Aftershokz Air headphones, they’ll automatically enter pairing mode. This makes the initial setup incredibly simple.

Step-by-Step Pairing Process

Power On: Press and hold the power/volume+ button until the LED indicator flashes red and blue. This signifies that the headphones are in pairing mode. You may hear the voice prompt say “Pairing.”
Activate Bluetooth: On your smartphone, tablet, computer, or other Bluetooth-enabled device, navigate to the Bluetooth settings.
Search for Devices: Initiate a search for available Bluetooth devices.
Select Aftershokz Air: In the list of available devices, you should see “Aftershokz Air” or a similar designation. Select it.
Pair and Connect: Your device may prompt you to confirm the pairing. Follow the on-screen instructions. Once successfully paired, the LED indicator will flash blue, and you will likely hear a voice prompt confirm the connection.
Enjoy! You are now ready to listen to music, podcasts, or take calls using your Aftershokz Air headphones.

What to Do if Pairing Fails

Occasionally, the pairing process might encounter a hiccup. Don’t worry! Here are some troubleshooting steps:

Ensure Headphones are in Pairing Mode: The LED indicator MUST be flashing red and blue. If it’s not, power off the headphones and then power them back on, holding the button until the correct flashing sequence begins.
Check Bluetooth on Your Device: Verify that Bluetooth is enabled on your device and that it’s discoverable.
Move Closer: Bring your headphones and device closer to each other to minimize potential interference.
Restart Your Device: Sometimes, a simple restart of your smartphone, tablet, or computer can resolve Bluetooth connection issues.
Forget the Device: If you’ve previously paired the headphones with your device, try “forgetting” or “unpairing” the device in your Bluetooth settings and then repeating the pairing process.
Factory Reset (Last Resort): If all else fails, perform a factory reset on your Aftershokz Air. To do this, power off the headphones. Then, press and hold both the volume+ and volume- buttons simultaneously until you hear two beeps and feel the vibration. This resets the headphones to their original factory settings. You will then need to re-pair with your device.

Connecting to Multiple Devices (Multipoint Pairing)

Aftershokz Air headphones support multipoint pairing, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously. This is incredibly convenient for switching between your phone and laptop, for example.

Setting Up Multipoint Pairing

Pair with the First Device: Follow the initial pairing steps outlined above to connect your headphones to your first device.
Power Off: Turn off your Aftershokz Air headphones.
Enter Pairing Mode Again: Power on the headphones and hold the power/volume+ button until the LED indicator flashes red and blue.
Pair with the Second Device: Repeat the initial pairing process to connect your headphones to your second device.
Reconnect to the First Device: After successfully pairing with the second device, power off and then power on the headphones again. They should automatically reconnect to both previously paired devices (if both devices have Bluetooth enabled). If not, manually select the headphones in the Bluetooth settings of the first device.

Understanding Multipoint Functionality

Seamless Switching: Multipoint allows you to listen to audio from one device and seamlessly switch to the other. For example, if you’re listening to music on your laptop and receive a phone call, the headphones will automatically switch to your phone audio.
Simultaneous Connections, Not Simultaneous Audio: While connected to two devices, you cannot listen to audio from both simultaneously. The headphones will prioritize the audio source that initiates playback or receives a call.

Troubleshooting Common Pairing Issues

Even with clear instructions, occasional problems can arise. Here’s how to address some common pairing issues:

Interference: Bluetooth signals can be affected by interference from other electronic devices, walls, and even the human body. Try moving to a less congested area or repositioning your devices.
Outdated Firmware: Ensure your Aftershokz Air headphones have the latest firmware installed. Check the Aftershokz website or app for updates.
Low Battery: A low battery can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth connectivity. Charge your headphones fully and try pairing again.
Bluetooth Driver Issues (Computer): If you’re having trouble pairing with a computer, ensure your Bluetooth drivers are up to date.
Incorrect Bluetooth Profile: Certain devices might require a specific Bluetooth profile (e.g., A2DP for audio streaming, HFP for phone calls). Check your device’s documentation to ensure compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about pairing Aftershokz Air headphones:

1. How do I know if my Aftershokz Air headphones are in pairing mode?

The LED indicator light will flash red and blue alternately when the headphones are in pairing mode. You should also hear a voice prompt saying “Pairing.”

2. My Aftershokz Air headphones won’t connect to my phone, even though they are paired. What should I do?

First, ensure that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and that the headphones are powered on. Try turning Bluetooth off and then back on again on your phone. If that doesn’t work, “forget” or “unpair” the headphones from your phone’s Bluetooth settings and then re-pair them following the initial pairing steps.

3. Can I pair my Aftershokz Air headphones with more than two devices?

While Aftershokz Air supports multipoint pairing for two devices simultaneously, it remembers pairings with multiple devices. However, you can only actively connect to two at a time. To connect to a new device, you may need to “forget” one of the previously paired devices.

4. How far away can I be from my device and still maintain a connection?

The Bluetooth range for Aftershokz Air headphones is typically around 33 feet (10 meters) in open space. However, walls, other electronic devices, and other obstructions can reduce this range.

5. My Aftershokz Air headphones are connected, but the audio is cutting out. What’s happening?

This could be due to interference, a weak Bluetooth signal, or a low battery. Try moving closer to your device, reducing interference, or charging your headphones. Ensure your device’s Bluetooth is properly configured for optimal audio streaming.

6. How do I reset my Aftershokz Air headphones to factory settings?

Power off the headphones. Then, press and hold both the volume+ and volume- buttons simultaneously until you hear two beeps and feel the vibration. This will reset the headphones to their original factory settings, clearing all paired devices.

7. Are Aftershokz Air headphones compatible with all Bluetooth devices?

Aftershokz Air headphones are compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and smartwatches. However, compatibility can vary depending on the device’s Bluetooth version and profile support.

8. I am having trouble with multipoint pairing. Is there a specific order I need to pair the devices in?

While there isn’t a strict order, it’s generally recommended to pair the device you use most frequently first. This can help ensure that the headphones prioritize that device when switching between connections.

9. My computer isn’t recognizing my Aftershokz Air headphones. What should I do?

Ensure your computer’s Bluetooth drivers are up to date. You may also need to manually install the Aftershokz Air drivers from the Aftershokz website if they are not automatically installed.

10. Can I use my Aftershokz Air headphones for phone calls?

Yes, Aftershokz Air headphones have a built-in microphone and are designed for phone calls.

11. How do I switch between devices when using multipoint pairing?

The headphones will typically switch automatically to the device that is actively playing audio or receiving a call. If it doesn’t switch automatically, you may need to pause the audio on the first device to allow the second device to connect seamlessly.

12. My headphones are showing up as “LE-Aftershokz Air” in my Bluetooth list. Should I connect to that?

No. The “LE” version is the Bluetooth Low Energy connection for the find-my-device feature of some phones. It’s not for audio pairing. Ensure you select the standard “Aftershokz Air” option for proper audio connectivity. Using the LE connection will not allow you to listen to music or take calls.

How to Pair Aftershokz Air?