How to Connect Sony Headphones to MacBook- A Full Guide

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How to Connect Sony Headphones to MacBook

Sony headphones are well-known for their high-quality sound and amazing design. If you recently purchased a pair of Sony headphones and want to connect them to your MacBook, this guide will take you step by step through the process. 

However, the first thing we need to determine is whether your Sony headphones are wireless or wired. If it is wired, then you will need to use the headphone jack on your MacBook to connect it. All you have to do to get started is insert the headphone jack into the MacBook’s audio port. Depending on certain MacBook models, you might also need to use a headphone adapter. 

If your Sony headphones are wireless, the process is a bit different. It mainly involves pairing the Sony headphones with your MacBook via Bluetooth. 

And the good news is that you are being provided with that process here!

How to connect Sony Headphones to MacBook- a step by step help-guide

We’ve compiled the entire procedure for connecting your Sony headphones to your MacBook. If you stick to these steps carefully, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite music or videos with your Sony headphones in no time. Also, the more you stick to them, the smoother the pairing process will be in the long run. So let’s get started!

Things to consider before connecting your Sony headphones to a Mac

There are always some prep tasks before you begin the pairing process. It is like warming them up for the marathon. If these things are missed, you may encounter difficulties connecting your Sony headphones to your Mac.

In order to ensure a successful connection between your Sony headphones and your Mac, there are a few things you should consider beforehand. Remember, a little preparation goes a long way in avoiding frustrating connectivity problems.

Check the battery life

There is nothing more irritating than going through a bunch of problems due to a faulty battery. Please make sure your Sony headphones are fully charged and functioning before attempting to pair them with your Mac. This will help prevent any interruptions or disconnections during the pairing process.

Additionally, it is also recommended to check the battery life of your MacBook to ensure it has enough power to establish a stable connection with your headphones. This single step may save you a Google search for Why does the connection of the Sony Headphones to my Mac keeps faltering?” Believe me, you will definitely thank me later when you catch somebody on this issue and obtain the superiority of giving them a nice pep talk.

Keep the Sony headphones and Mac close to each other 

When pairing your Sony headphones with the Mac, make sure that they are placed in close proximity to each other. The headphones should be at least 3 feet from the MacBook. This will ensure a strong and stable Bluetooth connection between the two devices, minimizing any potential interference or signal loss. Additionally, try to avoid any physical obstacles or electromagnetic interference that may disrupt the connection, such as other electronic devices or walls. 

Check the volume on your MacBook.

It would feel dumb after going through tons of troubleshooting options and finding out that the problem had been nothing except that the volume on the MacBook was turned down low or muted. Make sure the volume is turned up and not muted to ensure you can hear audio from your headphones. Additionally, double-check that the audio output settings on your MacBook are correctly configured to use the Bluetooth device as the default audio output source.  

Disconnect the Sony headphones from the other device.

If your Sony headphone is already paired with another device, it may not be able to connect to your MacBook at that time. So, to be able to connect with the MacBook, you need to disconnect the headphone from the other device first. 

Now that you’ve got a good prep done, you’re ready to move forward with the steps of connecting the Sony headphones to your MacBook.

Put the Sony headphones in the Pairing mode:

A brand new Sony headphone that has never been paired before will automatically enter pairing mode when you turn it on for the first time. 

Put the Sony headphones in the Pairing mode

However, if your headphones have been previously paired with another device and you want to pair them with your Mac, you’ll need to manually put them in pairing mode. Here’s what you need to do: 

  • You need to press and hold onto the power button of your Sony headphones for seven seconds.
  • The headphones have LED lights. So when you hold the power button for seven seconds, the LED light will blink blue.
  • This will be followed by a voice prompt that says “Bluetooth Pairing. This indicates that your Sony headphone have entered pairing mode and is all set to connect with your MacBook. 

Pairing your Sony headphones to your Macbook via Bluetooth:

The Sony headphones are ready for pairing and can now be connected to your MacBook via Bluetooth. Here’s how it is done:

Pairing your Sony headphones to your Macbook via Bluetooth
  • On the Mac, you click on the Apple icon > System Preferences > Bluetooth settings. 
  • Next, if you haven’t already enabled Bluetooth on your MacBook, you can do so by clicking on the “Turn Bluetooth On” button. Once Bluetooth is enabled, your MacBook will start scanning for available devices. 
Pairing your Sony headphones to your Macbook via Bluetooth1
  • By this point, your Sony headphones should be in pairing mode. If it is, then the name of the headphone will appear on your Mac’s list. 
  • Select your Sony headphone from the list to complete the pairing process. You’ll now be able to listen to audio from your MacBook through your Sony headphones wirelessly.

If pairing of headphones is not established within 5 minutes, pairing mode is most likely to be canceled, and the headset should turn off in moments. In this case, you need to start the process all over again.

You might have to go through the pain of pairing again.

It is not necessary to pair Mac and Sony headphone devices again after the initial pairing, with the exception of the following circumstances: 

  • If you reset your Mac or Sony headphones to factory settings, you will need to pair them again. Connecting your Sony headphones to a different Mac or device will also require pairing them again.
  • If you clear your MacBook’s pairing list, you will need to pair your Sony headphones again. 
  • Also, a Mac can handle up to eight devices in its pairing list. If you attempt to connect a ninth device, the pairing information of the oldest device will be overwritten. And if that device was your Sony headphones, then you might need to pair them again. 
  • If there is a software update on your MacBook , it may affect the pairing process with your Sony headphones.

After you are done with the proper pairing of your Sony headphones to your Mac, you are finally off towards some soothing music. Now that the Sony Headphones and your Mac are connected to one another, why don’t you try listening to some nice tunes immediately.

Why are my Sony headphones not pairing to Mac?

This one question has a plethora of answers. Just so you can save this one piece of writing for your rescue at any kind of problem while making the connection of Sony headphones to your MacBook, all of the possible problems are covered here. This would help you get an easy solution in situations that would otherwise drive you bananas while trying to pair your Sony headphones. So, let’s get to it!

Errors may occur while connecting your Sony headphones to your Mac. So, there are some common fixes that you could try. For example:

  • Check if your Mac is connected to any other audio output device, like speakers or earphones. If it is, remove them and try to pair the Sony headphones again. Sometimes the Mac may prioritize the other audio output device, causing issues with connecting the Sony headphones. 
  • If your Sony headphones are paired with other devices, such as Android or iPhone, have them unpaired and then try again to pair them with your MacBook. Sometimes, multiple pairings can cause conflicts and prevent successful connections. 
  • Restart your Sony headphones. Do this by pressing the power button until the LED light blinks several times and then turns off. A short while later, press and hold the power button again in order to restart. This might be a solution to your issue.
  • Restart your MacBook as well. Sometimes, a simple restart can help resolve any connectivity issues between your MacBook and the headphones. Also, try turning Bluetooth on your Mac off and then on again. You can repeat it a few more times and then check.
  • Do keep your MacBook updated, as outdated software may cause compatibility issues. To make sure macOS is up to date, go to System Preferences > General > Software Update. There look for any available updates and install them. Often, people tend to get their solution right here in this step.
  • Make sure that both your Sony headphones and MacBook are charged sufficiently. This is a repetition of the preps in case you missed it earlier.
  • When connecting headphones for the first time, confirm once more that they are in pairing mode. Check the initial steps if you’re not sure if you had properly paired your Sony Headphones in the first place.
  • Disconnect any other Bluetooth devices that are currently connected to your Mac and try again.

Configure your Mac to use Sony headphones as the sound output:

If you want the sound output of your MacBook to be your Sony headphones, then follow the steps: 

  • First, click the Control Center icon in the menu bar on your Mac. 
  • Next, click the down arrow next to Sound. 
  • After that, tap on your Sony headphones to select them.

Now if you want to reverse your decision and want some other device as your MacBook’s sound output then simply repeat the steps mentioned above and select the desired device instead of your Sony headphones. Remember to disconnect your Sony headphones before selecting a different device. 

Is there a Sony Headphones App for Mac?

There is no work that a specified app cannot simplify for you. So, is there such an app that can enhance the functionality of your Sony headphones on your Mac? 

Well, there is one app called the Sony Headphones Connect app. However, it is currently only available for smartphones and tablets, not for Mac computers. The Sony Headphones Connect app allows you to personalize your listening experience, change settings, and access additional features.

Unfortunately, if you are using a Mac, you will not be able to use this app and will need to rely on the built-in settings and features of your Sony headphones. 

Conclusion

When the proper guidelines are maintained, connecting Sony headphones to your Mac is truly straightforward. 

If you thoroughly follow the steps in this article, you should have no problems at all. In addition, if you face pairing issues, we’ve also shared some troubleshooting tips in this article. 

Of course, it would have been extra nice if there was an app specifically designed for managing the settings and features of Sony headphones on a Mac, but unfortunately, Sony does not currently offer one. However, with the detailed instructions provided and the troubleshooting tips available, you should be able to successfully connect your Sony headphones without needing any additional apps or software. 

Abid is a tech enthusiastic and iPhone app reviewer. Currently, he is working as an editor of XlightMedia. He reviews different iPhone apps based on different categories including utility, photography, music, and so on.