Connect Shokz to Windows or Mac via Bluetooth

Shokz bone conduction headphones connect to your computer the same way any Bluetooth device does: by pairing once, then reconnecting automatically when you turn them on. The process takes about two minutes and works on Windows 10 and later, macOS 10.12 and later, and Linux systems with Bluetooth support.

Start by turning on your Shokz headphones. Most models have a power button on the left ear piece—hold it for three seconds until you hear a voice prompt or see a blue LED flash. The headphones enter pairing mode automatically the first time you power them on, or you can hold the button for seven seconds to re-enter pairing mode if they have already been paired to another device.

On your computer, open the Bluetooth settings. On Windows, click the Start menu, type "Bluetooth settings," and select it. On Mac, click the Apple menu, go to System Settings, then click Bluetooth. Your Shokz headphones should appear in the list of available devices within 10 to 15 seconds. Click or select them, then click Pair or Connect. You may see a prompt asking you to confirm the pairing—select yes. Once connected, you will see "Connected" next to the headphone name.

Key Takeaways

  • Turn on your Shokz headphones and hold the power button for three seconds to enter pairing mode, which activates automatically on first use.
  • Open Bluetooth settings on your computer (Windows Start menu or Mac System Settings) and select your Shokz headphones from the available devices list.
  • After the first pairing, your headphones will reconnect automatically whenever you turn them on and your computer's Bluetooth is active.
  • If your headphones do not appear in the Bluetooth list, restart them by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then try pairing again.
  • You can pair Shokz headphones to multiple devices, but they can only connect to one device at a time.

Reconnect Previously Paired Shokz Headphones

After the first pairing, you do not need to repeat the process. straightforward turn on your Shokz headphones and make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your computer. The headphones will search for the last device they were connected to and reconnect within a few seconds. You will hear a voice prompt or tone confirming the connection.

If your headphones do not reconnect automatically, open your Bluetooth settings and manually select them from the list of paired devices. This usually happens if Bluetooth was off when you turned on the headphones, or if the headphones were recently paired to a different device. Once you select them, the connection should establish in under 10 seconds.

Switch Shokz Between Multiple Computers

Shokz headphones can be paired to as many devices as you want, but they connect to only one at a time. If you use the same headphones on a work computer and a personal laptop, you can pair them to both without unpairing from the first one.

To connect to a different computer after pairing to the first, turn on your Shokz headphones near the new computer and open its Bluetooth settings. Select your headphones from the paired devices list. The headphones will disconnect from the previous computer and connect to the new one. The next time you turn on the headphones near the first computer, they will reconnect to it automatically if Bluetooth is enabled.

If you want to remove a computer from your Shokz headphones' paired device list, open Bluetooth settings on that computer, find your headphones in the paired devices list, and select Forget or Remove. The headphones will no longer try to reconnect to that computer.

Troubleshoot Connection Problems

If your Shokz headphones do not appear in your computer's Bluetooth list, restart both devices. Turn off the headphones by holding the power button for 10 seconds until the LED turns off. Wait five seconds, then turn them back on. On your computer, toggle Bluetooth off and back on in your settings. Open the Bluetooth list again—your headphones should appear within 15 seconds.

If the headphones appear but will not pair, make sure they are not already connected to another device. Shokz headphones can only maintain one active connection at a time, so if they are paired to your phone, they may not connect to your computer until you disconnect them from the phone. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone or move it out of range, then try pairing to your computer again.

If your headphones connect but produce no sound, check your computer's volume settings. Open your system volume control and make sure the volume is not muted and is set above zero. Then open your audio output settings and confirm that Shokz is selected as the active output device. On Windows, right-click the volume icon and select Open Volume mixer. On Mac, click System Settings, then Sound, and select your Shokz headphones under Output.

Use Shokz Headphones With Video Calls and Video Meetings

Once your Shokz headphones are connected to your computer, they work automatically with video call software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Skype. When you join a call, the audio will play through the headphones without any additional setup.

If the call software does not use your Shokz headphones by default, open the settings within the process. Most video call programs have an audio settings menu where you can select your input and output devices. Choose your Shokz headphones as the speaker output. Some programs also let you select them as the microphone input, though Shokz bone conduction headphones have limited microphone quality—using your computer's built-in microphone usually produces better results for the other participants.

Update Shokz Firmware on Your Computer

Shokz periodically releases firmware updates that improve connection stability and add features. You can check for and install updates using the Shokz app on your computer. read the app from the official Shokz website for your operating system (Windows or Mac), then install it following the on-screen instructions.

Open the Shokz app and connect your headphones via Bluetooth. The app will automatically check for available updates. If an update is found, follow the prompts to read and install it. Keep your headphones powered on and within three feet of your computer during the update process. The update usually takes two to five minutes. Do not disconnect the headphones or close the app until the update is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Shokz headphones with both my computer and phone at the same time?

No. Shokz headphones can only connect to one device at a time. If you want to switch between your computer and phone, you must disconnect from one before connecting to the other. You can pair the headphones to both devices, but only one will be active at any moment.

Why do my Shokz headphones keep disconnecting from my computer?

Disconnections usually happen if another device is trying to connect to the headphones, if Bluetooth is being blocked by interference, or if the headphones are too far from your computer (more than 30 feet). Move closer to your computer, turn off Bluetooth on other devices, and restart both the headphones and your computer. If the problem continues, unpair the headphones and pair them again from scratch.

Do I need to install drivers for Shokz headphones on Windows?

No. Windows recognizes Shokz headphones as standard Bluetooth audio devices and installs the necessary drivers automatically. You do not need to read or install anything—just pair them through Bluetooth settings.

What if my computer does not have Bluetooth?

If your computer has no built-in Bluetooth, you can buy a USB Bluetooth adapter for $15 to $30. Plug it into an available USB port, then pair your Shokz headphones to it the same way you would pair to built-in Bluetooth. The adapter will appear as a Bluetooth device in your settings.

Can I use a wired connection instead of Bluetooth?

Shokz bone conduction headphones do not support wired connections. They connect only via Bluetooth. If you need a wired option, you would need to use a different brand of headphones.