Bose's update article for earbuds is exact: to get the latest update the earbuds must be connected to your phone or tablet through the Bose app (formerly the Bose Music app) and cannot be updated without it. When an update is ready it is sent to the app automatically; you see Transferring Update over the product image, then Install Update; tap it and then Update Now and follow the steps. It might take up to 45 minutes, usually much less, and you can keep listening, and if you stop the update pauses and resumes.
When it finishes reconnect the earbuds and open the app to confirm. To check the firmware version connect the product, open it in the app tray, tap the gear icon and select Technical Info. The charging case cannot be updated in the app; it is updated on a computer over USB at btu.bose.com. For the QC Ultra Headphones Bose's other articles direct you to btu.bose.com on a computer to get the latest features. If updating stalls, keep the product near the phone and the app open, reboot the phone, and reboot the earbuds in the case.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds app or firmware update will not complete”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The earbuds are not connected to the Bose app
What separates it No update appears because the earbuds are not connected to the Bose app
How to confirm Connect the earbuds through the Bose app, and check for the update again
- 2
The update paused
What separates it The update stopped because you stopped using the earbuds, and it paused
How to confirm Resume using the earbuds, so that the update can continue
- 3
The case needs a separate update
What separates it The app cannot update the case because it needs a separate update
How to confirm Use btu.bose.com on a computer, to update the case
- 4
An old app
What separates it The update options are missing because the app is old
How to confirm Update the Bose app to the newest version, and look for the options again
- 5
A weak connection
What separates it The transfer fails because the connection to the phone is weak
How to confirm Keep the product near the phone, so the transfer has a strong link
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The product and firmware version from Technical Info
- What the app shows: Transferring Update or Install Update
- The phone and the version of the Bose app that you use
- Whether the case firmware is current
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedConnect
ReversibleConnect the earbuds through the Bose app, so that it can see them, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Wait for the transfer
ReversibleWait for the transfer, and look for Transferring Update on the screen, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Install
ReversibleInstall the update, by tapping Install Update, and then Update Now, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Keep them near
ReversibleKeep them near the phone, and stay close while the update runs, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Verify
ReversibleVerify the update, by reconnecting, and checking the firmware in Technical Info, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Update the case
ReversibleUpdate the case, by using btu.bose.com on a computer, since the app cannot do it.
Start a repair
ReversibleStart a repair if it fails repeatedly, and begin a repair or a replacement with Bose.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Update route
- Bose: earbuds update through the Bose app; the earbud charging case updates through btu.bose.com; headphones are pointed to btu.bose.com.
- Bose app
- Bose says the Bose Music app is now called the Bose app.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the QuietComfort Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, QuietComfort Earbuds II.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If updates fail after rebooting the phone and earbuds, start a repair or replacement with Bose
- !If the case will not update, retry on a computer at btu.bose.com
- !If the app cannot see the product, re-pair
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Transferring and installing an update, 45 minutes, the case and the firmware version.
Updating at btu.bose.com.
Rebooting earbuds and the phone.
Connecting through the Bose app.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I update my Bose earbuds?+
Connect through the Bose app, tap Install Update, then Update Now.
Can I keep using them?+
Yes; the update pauses if you stop.
How do I check the firmware?+
Open the product in the app, tap the gear icon and select Technical Info.
How do I update the charging case?+
On a computer at btu.bose.com over USB.
Is the Bose Music app renamed?+
Bose says it is now called the Bose app.
How do I update the headphones?+
Bose points to btu.bose.com on a computer for the QC Ultra Headphones.
Will an update fix problems?+
Bose has an FAQ on whether updating fixes problems.
What if the app cannot find them?+
If the app cannot find them, re pair the earbuds, and then open the app again.