Connect Apple Watch to Bluetooth headphones or speakers

Play audio from Apple Watch on Bluetooth headphones or speakers without your iPhone nearby.

Tip: If you have AirPods that you set up with your iPhone, they’re ready to use with your Apple Watch—just press play.

Pair Bluetooth headphones or speakers

You need Bluetooth headphones or speakers to listen to most audio on your Apple Watch (Siri, phone calls, voicemail, and voice memos play through the speaker on Apple Watch). Follow the instructions that came with the headphones or speakers to put them in discovery mode. When the Bluetooth device is ready, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch, then tap Bluetooth.
Tap the device when it appears.

You can also tap on the play screens of the Audiobooks, Music, Now Playing, and Podcasts apps to open the Bluetooth setting.

Two screens side by side. On the left is a screen that lists two available Bluetooth devices: AirPods Max, which are connected, and AirPods Pro, which are not connected. On the right is the Settings screen, showing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Display & Brightness, and App View buttons in a list.

Choose an audio output

Touch and hold the bottom of the screen, then swipe up to open Control Center.
Tap , then choose the device you want to use.

For important information about avoiding hearing loss, see Important safety information for Apple Watch.

Monitor your headphone volume

Touch and hold the bottom of the screen, then swipe up to open Control Center.
Tap Edit, then tap next to the Headphone button to add it.
While listening to headphones paired to your Apple Watch, open Control Center, then tap .
A meter shows the current headphone volume.

The Headphone Volume screen showing a volume control at the top and a meter below, which displays the current headphone volume. The volume level is 65 dB and is marked “OK.”

Reduce loud sounds

Apple Watch can limit the loudness of your headphone audio to a set decibel level.

Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
Go to Sounds & Haptics > Headphone Safety, then tap Reduce Loud Sounds.
Turn on Reduce Loud Sounds, then set a level.

View loud headphone audio notifications

If you listen to loud audio through your headphones for long enough that it could affect your hearing, Apple Watch sends you a headphone notification and automatically turns down the volume to a more moderate level to protect your hearing.

To view details about headphone notifications on your iPhone, open the Health app, tap Browse, tap Hearing, tap Headphone Notifications, then tap a notification.

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Apple Watch User Guide