How do I use Bose headphones with a Windows PC when the Bose app will not download?
Answer
The Bose app is offered as a phone and tablet app through the Apple App Store and Google Play, and the official Bose app page does not show a Windows download. Headphones usually still work with a Windows PC over Bluetooth, so pair them from the PC's Bluetooth settings. Use a phone for the app's settings and updates.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Download the Bose app only from Bose's official website or the Apple App Store or Google Play. Avoid download sites that offer a Windows version of the app.
Follow these steps
Check where Bose offers the app
Open the Bose app page on the official Bose website. The page shows download buttons for the Apple App Store and Google Play, and it does not show a Windows download. Confirm the list of products the page says the app works with before you go further.
You should see: You know the official Bose app is offered for phones through the app stores, and you have confirmed whether your headphone model is listed.
Use a phone for app features
On an iPhone or Android phone, install the Bose app from the App Store or Google Play, sign in if the app asks you to, and open the screen for your headphones. Use it for the settings and updates the app offers for your model. Which options appear varies by model, so check what the app shows for your headphones.
You should see: The app opens on the phone and lists your headphones, or it tells you which model or update option is available.
Turn on Bluetooth on the PC
On the Windows computer, select Start, then Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, and switch Bluetooth on. The Microsoft pairing guide gives the same path for Windows 11.
You should see: The Bluetooth switch is set to On, and the PC is ready to find nearby devices.
Pair the headphones with the PC
Put the headphones into pairing mode using the method in their manual, since the button or sequence varies by model. On the PC, open the Bluetooth quick setting, choose Manage Bluetooth devices, and select your headphones under New devices. Follow the on-screen prompts until the PC confirms the connection.
You should see: Your headphones appear under New devices, and then show as paired or connected in the PC's Bluetooth list.
Choose the headphones as the sound output
Play a short audio file or a video with sound. Then open the sound output setting in Windows Settings and choose the headphones as the output device. The name of the setting can vary by Windows version, so look for the option that lists output devices.
You should see: Sound plays through the headphones, and the headphones are shown as the selected output device.
Pair again if the connection drops
If the headphones disconnect or do not appear, remove them from the PC's Bluetooth list, turn Bluetooth off and on, put the headphones back into pairing mode, and add them again. Keep the headphones close to the PC while you do this.
You should see: After pairing again, the headphones reconnect and play sound, or the problem stays the same and you know the pairing step did not finish.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Whether the Bose app page lists a Windows download, whether the PC shows the headphones under Bluetooth devices, and whether the headphones appear as an audio output after pairing.
Before you change anything: Find the exact model name of your headphones, usually printed on the box or inside the ear cup area. Charge the headphones before pairing so they do not turn off partway through. Do not download the Bose app from search results or links that are not Bose's official page or the official app store. If you plan to remove a paired device from the PC, note its name so you can find it again.
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