You've got a fantastic pair of Bose QC35 headphones, and now you want to unlock their full potential by pairing them with your iPad for immersive audio. Excellent choice! Whether you're watching movies, listening to music, or taking video calls, the Bose QC35's renowned noise-cancellation and superior sound quality will truly elevate your experience.
But if you're new to Bluetooth pairing, or perhaps just a little rusty, don't worry! This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, ensuring a smooth and successful connection between your Bose QC35 and your iPad.
How to Pair Your Bose QC35 Headphones to Your iPad: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let's get those incredible headphones connected!
Step 1: Power Up Your Bose QC35 Headphones and Enter Pairing Mode
Before your iPad can "see" your Bose QC35, your headphones need to be actively looking for a device to connect to. This is called "pairing mode."
- Locate the Power/Bluetooth Switch: On the right ear cup of your Bose QC35 headphones, you'll find a slider switch. This switch serves dual purposes: powering on your headphones and initiating Bluetooth pairing.
- Turn On Your Headphones: Slide the power switch to the "On" position. You'll likely hear a voice prompt indicating that the headphones are on and the battery level.
- Activate Pairing Mode: Now, here's the crucial part for pairing. From the "On" position, slide the power switch all the way to the right, towards the Bluetooth symbol, and hold it there for about 2-3 seconds.
- You'll hear a voice prompt say, "Ready to pair" (or something similar, depending on your firmware version).
- You'll also notice the Bluetooth indicator light on the headphones begin to blink blue. This blinking blue light is your visual confirmation that your Bose QC35 are now in discoverable pairing mode, eagerly waiting for your iPad to find them!
- Release the switch once you hear the voice prompt or see the blinking blue light.
Step 2: Prepare Your iPad for Bluetooth Connection
Now that your Bose QC35 are broadcasting their presence, it's time to tell your iPad to start listening for them.
- Go to the Settings App: On your iPad's Home screen, locate and tap the "Settings" app icon. It typically looks like a set of gray gears.
- Navigate to Bluetooth Settings: In the left-hand column of the Settings app, tap on "Bluetooth."
- Ensure Bluetooth is On: On the right side of the Bluetooth screen, you'll see a toggle switch next to "Bluetooth." Make sure this switch is green. If it's gray, simply tap it to turn Bluetooth on. Your iPad will now begin scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices.
Step 3: Select Your Bose QC35 on Your iPad
With both your headphones and iPad ready, it's time to make the connection!
- Look for "Bose QC35": Under the "Other Devices" section on your iPad's Bluetooth screen, you should see "Bose QC35" (or "Bose QC35 II" if you have that model) appear in the list of available devices. It might take a few seconds for it to show up.
- Tap to Connect: Once you see "Bose QC35" in the list, tap on it.
- Confirm Pairing (if prompted): In most cases, the pairing will happen automatically. However, your iPad might occasionally prompt you to confirm the pairing. Just tap "Pair" or "Connect" if a pop-up appears.
- Confirmation of Connection:
- You'll hear a voice prompt from your Bose QC35 saying, ***"Connected to [Your iPad's Name]"***.
- On your iPad, the text next to "Bose QC35" in the Bluetooth list will change from "Not Connected" to ***"Connected"***.
- The Bluetooth indicator light on your Bose QC35 will turn a solid white for a few seconds and then turn off, indicating a successful connection.
Step 4: Enjoy Your Audio!
Congratulations! Your Bose QC35 headphones are now successfully paired with your iPad.
- You can now open any audio or video app on your iPad (like Apple Music, YouTube, Netflix, or a podcast app) and the sound will automatically route through your Bose QC35 headphones.
- Adjust the volume using the physical buttons on your Bose QC35 headphones or the volume controls on your iPad.
Troubleshooting Tips for a Stubborn Connection:
Sometimes, technology can be a bit finicky. If you're having trouble pairing, try these solutions:
- Restart Both Devices: A simple restart of both your Bose QC35 and your iPad can often resolve minor glitches. Turn your headphones off and then back on, and restart your iPad.
- Clear the Bluetooth Device List on Your Bose QC35: Your Bose QC35 can remember several paired devices. If you've paired it with many devices in the past, its memory might be full or confused.
- To clear the list: Turn your headphones on. Then, slide the Power switch to the Bluetooth icon and hold it there for 10 seconds until you hear "Bluetooth device list cleared." Then, try pairing again from Step 1.
- "Forget This Device" on Your iPad: If you've previously paired your Bose QC35 with your iPad but it's not reconnecting, your iPad might have a corrupted connection record.
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPad.
- Tap the blue "i" icon next to "Bose QC35" in the "My Devices" list.
- Tap "Forget This Device," then confirm.
- Now, go back to Step 1 and try pairing from scratch.
- Ensure No Other Devices are Connected: The Bose QC35 supports connecting to two devices simultaneously, but sometimes interference can occur. Make sure no other previously paired devices are actively connected to your headphones (e.g., your smartphone or laptop). Turn off Bluetooth on those devices temporarily if needed.
- Move Closer: While Bluetooth has a decent range, being closer to your iPad during the initial pairing process can help ensure a strong signal.
- Charge Your Headphones: Low battery on your Bose QC35 can sometimes interfere with pairing. Ensure they have sufficient charge.
- Update Firmware: Occasionally, outdated firmware on your Bose QC35 can cause connectivity issues. You can check for and install firmware updates using the Bose Connect app (see FAQ section for more).
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my Bose QC35 headphones are charged?
You can check the battery level by sliding the power switch to the "On" position. A voice prompt will announce the battery percentage, and the battery indicator light will glow green for a full charge, amber for medium, and red for low.
How to switch between paired devices on Bose QC35?
If you have multiple devices paired with your Bose QC35, you can slide the power switch to the Bluetooth icon and quickly release it. A voice prompt will announce the currently connected device. Slide and release it again within two seconds to cycle through other remembered devices until you hear the name of the device you want to connect to. The headphones will then attempt to connect to that device.
How to download and use the Bose Connect app?
The Bose Connect app is available on the Apple App Store. Simply search for "Bose Connect," download, and install it. Once installed, open the app, and it should automatically detect your powered-on Bose QC35 headphones. The app allows for easier management of paired devices, firmware updates, and personalization of settings.
How to factory reset Bose QC35 headphones?
To factory reset your Bose QC35, power off the headphones. Then, connect them to a wall outlet using a USB charger. Wait 5 seconds, then disconnect the USB cable. Wait 1 minute, and then power on your headphones. This process will reset internal settings but usually doesn't clear the Bluetooth device list (for that, follow the "Clear the Bluetooth Device List" instruction above).
How to know if my Bose QC35 is truly off?
When you slide the power switch to the "Off" position, you will hear a distinct "power off" tone, and all indicator lights on the headphones will turn off.
How to use the auxiliary cable with Bose QC35?
The Bose QC35 comes with a 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable. Simply plug the smaller 2.5mm end into the port on the left ear cup of your headphones and the standard 3.5mm end into your iPad's headphone jack (if your iPad has one; newer iPads may require a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter). The headphones will function in wired mode even if they are turned off or out of battery.
How to update the firmware on my Bose QC35?
You can update the firmware using the Bose Connect app. Connect your headphones to the app, and if an update is available, the app will prompt you to install it. Alternatively, you can visit btu.bose.com on a computer, connect your headphones via a USB cable, and follow the on-screen instructions.
How to troubleshoot if my iPad doesn't detect my Bose QC35?
Ensure your Bose QC35 is in pairing mode (blinking blue light, "Ready to pair" voice prompt). Restart both devices. Make sure Bluetooth is on on your iPad. Try clearing the Bluetooth list on your headphones and "forgetting" the device on your iPad if it was previously paired.
How to improve Bluetooth connection stability?
Keep your iPad and Bose QC35 close to each other. Avoid physical obstructions (like walls or large metal objects) between them. Minimize interference from other wireless devices (like Wi-Fi routers or other Bluetooth devices) if possible.
How to connect Bose QC35 to multiple devices (multi-point pairing)?
The Bose QC35 supports connecting to two devices simultaneously. Once your headphones are paired with your iPad, you can put them back into pairing mode and connect them to a second device (like your smartphone). The headphones will then remember both connections and intelligently switch between them when audio is played from either source.
