Bluetooth headphones are a great addition to anyone’s collection of technology devices. JBL makes some very nice ones, and if you have a set, you’re sure to want to connect them to your Mac for listening to music, watching videos, using FaceTime, or any other multimedia.
Connecting JBL Bluetooth headphones to your Mac is the same procedure as most other Bluetooth devices. Get them in pairing mode, and then go to the Bluetooth settings to connect them.
My name is Eric, and I have been using and testing technology devices since the late 1970s. I have experience with many Bluetooth devices, and I can help you connect your JBL Bluetooth headphones to your Mac.
Keep reading if you would like to see how to connect them, how to disconnect, and how to do a little troubleshooting if you are having problems.
Contents
Getting Started
Pairing your headphones to your Mac is somewhat simple, but it can be even easier if you prepare before you start. To get started, make sure you have the following ready.
1. Your JBL headphones are charged and ready to go.
2. Your Mac is either plugged in or charged enough to complete the process before the battery dies.
3. Your Mac is started up, and you are logged in.
4. You have your JBL headphones within range of your Mac.
Ensure Headphones are in Pairing Mode
The first step to connecting your headphones to your Mac is ensuring they are in pairing mode. If your headphones are new and you have not paired them to any device yet, they may be in pairing mode when you first turn them on. You can usually tell if the led is blinking.
If they are not in pairing mode, you can get them into pairing mode by holding the power button for at least 3 seconds. This will work for most models but if it does not work for you, refer to the instruction manual that came with your headphones.
When the headphones are in pairing mode, you will see the led blinking, which means they are ready to be paired and connected to a device such as your Mac.
Connect to Mac
Once your JBL headphones are in pairing mode, they only require a few clicks to connect. Just follow the steps below, and you should be good to go.
(Note: The example in the images uses a different brand of headphones, but the process and steps will be the same; the device’s name will just be slightly different.)
Step 1: Open System Settings.
Click on the Apple symbol in the upper left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
Step 2: Select Bluetooth from the left panel.
Step 3: Ensure Bluetooth is turned on.
Make sure your Bluetooth is on. Click on the switch to turn it on if it is not already turned on.
Step 4: Look for your headphones under Nearby Devices.
You should now see your headphones as one of the devices under My Devices.
Confirm the Connection
Once you successfully connect the JBL headphones, the LED stops blinking. You should also get an audio confirmation in the headphone speakers; it can be a tone or a voice confirmation depending on what model of headphones you have.
How to Disconnect
Disconnecting your JBL Bluetooth headphones is just a matter of selecting the device in System Settings and then clicking the Disconnect button. Follow the steps below if you need to disconnect them.
Step 1: Open System Settings.
Click on the Apple symbol in the upper left corner of your screen and select System Settings.
Step 2: Select Bluetooth from the left panel.
Step 3: Disconnect your headphones.
Select your JBL Bluetooth headphones under My Devices and click the Disconnect button.
Your headphones will now disconnect. You can easily connect them again by going back and clicking the connect button on the same device.
Troubleshooting
If you are having trouble connecting your JBL headphones, you can try a few things. Let’s look at some common solutions that can often get you up and running.
1. Ensure the headphones are properly charged.
If your headphones are not charged, it’s possible they may not have enough power to connect or may perform erratically. For the best results, charge them fully before trying to connect them.
2. Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode.
This is probably the most common problem. Make sure you set the headphones in pairing mode when you begin the process. If they are not in pairing mode, your Mac will likely not see them.
Check your user manual or look up the manufactures instructions to ensure that you are initiating pairing mode correctly, and you can verify that they are in pairing mode.
Also, make sure that you connect them before the pairing mode stops. After a length of time, the headphones will exit pairing mode, and you will need to initiate it again if you have not yet paired them.
3. Reboot your Mac
If you continue to see issues, try rebooting your Mac. Sometimes you may have processes running that can interfere with pairing and connection. Bluetooth can sometimes get out of sync, and a quick reboot will often solve the problem.
4. Reboot the headphones
If you have been using the headphones with other devices or are seeing very odd behavior, you should try rebooting the headphones. This can often reset them and fix any glitches they may be having. Look at your headphone’s user manual and follow the directions for rebooting them.
FAQ
Below are a few common questions about connecting JBL Bluetooth headphones to a Mac.
Can I completely remove my JBL headphones from my Mac?
Yes, find the headphones under My Devices in your Bluetooth settings. Click on the button to disconnect it. Then right-click on the device and select Forget. This will remove it from My Devices, and you will no longer see it unless you pair the headphones again.
Can I connect other brands of Bluetooth headphones with this method?
You definitely can. The method described above works for other brands of Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, sound bars, and speakers.
Do I need to pair my headphones every time I connect them?
No, your mac will remember the headphones and connect them automatically whenever you turn them on. You will only need to pair them again if you tell your Mac to Forget them, as shown above. In that case, you will need to pair them again to connect them.
Conclusion
As you have seen above, you can connect your JBL Bluetooth headphones to your Mac by first putting them in pairing mode and then connecting them through your Mac’s System Settings.
The process is quite simple in most cases, but if you have issues, it is best to ensure you have everything set up correctly. Then if needed, you can always reboot your Mac and the headphones.
Let me know if you have any questions or feedback. I would love to hear from you!
