Pair Sony WH-1000XM5 with iPhone, iPad or Mac

This guide shows you how to connect Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless noise-canceling headphones to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You’ll learn the quick Bluetooth pairing method, how to switch between Apple devices, and what to do when the headphones won’t connect. No special tools or apps are required—just the headphones and your Apple device.

What You’ll Need

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones (charged)
An iPhone, iPad, or Mac with Bluetooth enabled
The headphones in pairing mode (see Step 1)

Step-by-Step

Power on the headphones. Press and hold the power button on the left earcup for about 2 seconds. You’ll hear a voice prompt saying “Power on.” The LED indicator will light up.
Enter pairing mode. If the headphones have never been paired to a device, they automatically enter pairing mode when powered on. If they’ve been paired before, press and hold the power button for about 7 seconds until you hear “Bluetooth pairing” and the LED starts flashing rapidly in blue and red.
On your iPhone or iPad: Open the Settings app, tap Bluetooth, and make sure Bluetooth is toggled on. Wait a few seconds—your Sony headphones should appear under “Other Devices.” Tap on WH-1000XM5 to connect.
On your Mac: Click the Apple menu (top-left corner), go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS), then click Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is on. Find WH-1000XM5 in the list and click Connect.
Confirm the connection. Once paired, the headphones will say “Bluetooth connected” and the LED will slow down to a blue pulse. On your Apple device, the headphones will appear under “My Devices” (or “Connected”).
Optional: Use the Sony app. Download the free Sony | Headphones Connect app from the App Store to customize sound, adjust noise canceling, and manage multipoint connections. The app is not required for basic pairing.

Common Mistakes

Not putting the headphones in pairing mode. If the headphones are already connected to another device, they won’t appear in the Bluetooth list until you manually enter pairing mode (hold power button for 7 seconds).
Bluetooth is off. Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your Apple device—it’s easy to toggle it off accidentally.
Wrong device selected. On a Mac, you might see multiple Bluetooth devices; make sure you click the one that says “WH-1000XM5” and not a nearby Sony speaker or another headphone.
Headphones are connected to another device. The WH-1000XM5 supports multipoint (two devices at once). If they’re already connected to a laptop, they may not show up as available. Disconnect the other device or turn off its Bluetooth.
Forgetting to charge. If the battery is completely drained, the headphones won’t power on. Charge them for at least 10 minutes before trying.

Tips

Use the quick attention mode. Place your hand over the right earcup to temporarily lower the volume and let in ambient sound—useful when someone talks to you.
Switch between iPhone and Mac automatically. If you’re signed into the same Apple ID on both devices, the headphones can automatically switch when you play audio on one device. This works with iOS 14+ and macOS Big Sur+.
Reset the headphones if you’re stuck. If pairing fails repeatedly, reset the headphones: press and hold the power button and the custom button (the one below the power button) for about 7 seconds until the LED flashes blue. This clears the pairing list and puts them in pairing mode.
Check for firmware updates. Use the Sony app to update the firmware—this can fix connectivity bugs.
Turn off noise canceling to save battery. You can toggle noise canceling on/off by pressing the NC/Ambient button on the left earcup.

Troubleshooting

Headphones don’t appear in the Bluetooth list.

Make sure the headphones are in pairing mode (LED flashing rapidly). If not, hold the power button for 7 seconds.
Move the headphones closer to your Apple device (within 3 feet / 1 meter).
Turn Bluetooth off and on again on your device.
Restart your iPhone/iPad/Mac.

Pairing fails or times out.

Reset the headphones as described in Tips above.
On your Apple device, go to Bluetooth settings, find any existing “WH-1000XM5” entry and tap the “i” icon, then choose “Forget This Device.” Then try pairing again.
Make sure no other device is actively trying to connect to the headphones.

Audio cuts out or stutters.

Keep the headphones and device within 30 feet (10 meters) with no thick walls between.
Turn off Wi-Fi on your device if it’s on the 2.4 GHz band—this can interfere with Bluetooth.
Disconnect other Bluetooth devices that might be causing interference.

Headphones connect but no sound.

Check the volume on both the headphones (touch controls) and your Apple device.
Make sure the headphones are selected as the audio output device. On Mac, go to System Settings > Sound > Output and choose WH-1000XM5. On iPhone/iPad, check the Control Center and ensure the audio is routed to the headphones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pair the WH-1000XM5 to an iPhone and a Mac at the same time?
Yes, the WH-1000XM5 supports Bluetooth multipoint, so you can connect to two devices simultaneously. To set this up, pair with the first device, then turn on multipoint in the Sony app or via the headphones’ voice prompt (press the NC/Ambient button and power button together). Then pair with the second device.

Do I need the Sony app to pair?
No, the app is optional. The headphones work as standard Bluetooth headphones with any Apple device. The app adds features like EQ, noise-canceling adjustments, and firmware updates.

Why won’t my headphones enter pairing mode?
If the headphones are already connected to a device, they won’t automatically enter pairing mode. Hold the power button for about 7 seconds until you hear “Bluetooth pairing.” If that doesn’t work, reset the headphones as described above.

Can I use the headphones with an Apple Watch?
Yes, you can pair them directly to an Apple Watch for music playback without your iPhone nearby. Put the headphones in pairing mode and go to Settings > Bluetooth on the watch.

How do I switch from my iPhone to my Mac?
If both devices are signed into the same Apple ID, the headphones may switch automatically when you play audio on the Mac. Otherwise, open the Bluetooth menu on your Mac and click “Connect” next to WH-1000XM5. You may need to disconnect from the iPhone first (or use multipoint).

What does the LED flashing mean?
Rapid blue/red flashing means pairing mode. Slow blue pulse means connected. Solid red means charging. No light means off or dead battery.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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