How to connect Bluetooth earbuds to a phone, on iPhone and Android
Pairing and connecting: the difference
Pairing is done once: the phone and the earbuds recognise each other and keep each other's details. Connecting happens every time you use them and, after the first pairing, usually happens by itself: you take the buds out of the case and the phone picks them up within seconds.
Once you see the difference, many problems become simple. Buds that do not "appear" are usually already paired with another device or not in pairing mode, not broken.
Pairing mode
The earbuds have to be in pairing mode for the phone to find them the first time. On many true wireless earbuds, opening the case with the buds inside is enough: the Buds4, for example, go into pairing mode by themselves when you open the case. On other models you hold a button on the case or the buds' touch area for a few seconds until the light blinks.
Pairing mode usually lasts a few minutes. If you have not found them by then, close the lid and start again.
On iPhone
Open Settings, then Bluetooth, and make sure it is on. Put the buds in pairing mode and keep them close to the phone. Their name appears under "Other Devices"; tap it. After a few seconds it moves to "My Devices" marked "Connected".
For calls, the iPhone uses the earbuds' microphone automatically, if they have one. For music, you can also switch the sound output from Control Centre by tapping the AirPlay icon next to the song.
On Android
Open Settings, then Connections or Connected devices, then Bluetooth; menu names differ a little between Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other phones. Tap "Pair new device" or "Scan", with the buds in pairing mode. When their name appears, tap it and confirm the pairing.
Some Android phones show a pop-up offering to connect as soon as you open the case. It is a shortcut: the result is the same.
Day to day
After the first pairing you no longer go into settings: take the buds out of the case and they connect by themselves to the last device used. If you used them with the laptop in the meantime, they may connect there. In that case, pick them in the phone's Bluetooth list by tapping their name.
Earbuds with multipoint, such as the Pro2, can stay connected to two devices at once, a phone and a laptop for example, so you do not have to choose each time. The GTA18 also show their battery right on the case, so you know whether to charge them before you leave.
If they do not appear in the list
The most common cause: the earbuds are already connected to another device nearby. Switch off Bluetooth on the laptop, the tablet or the old phone and try again. Then check that they are charged: a flat case does not start the buds.
If they were paired with your phone before and now will not connect, remove them from the list ("Forget This Device" or "Unpair") and pair them again. If that still does not work, our guide to resetting Bluetooth earbuds has the next steps.
Calls, microphone and sound
Once connected, the phone sends music, videos and calls to the buds automatically. If during a call the voice still comes from the phone's speaker, tap the audio icon on the call screen and pick the buds. On earbuds that have a microphone, the phone uses it automatically during the call.
Volume has two levels: the phone's and, on some earbuds, the buds' own. If the sound seems quiet, check both. Some Android phones have a setting called "absolute volume" in the developer options; leave it alone unless you know what it does. If the sound is quiet or muffled, our guide to low volume on Bluetooth earbuds has the next steps.
Every model is in the shop, under true wireless earbuds and noise cancelling earbuds.