Bose headphones do not group like room speakers; the multi-device feature is multipoint. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones can be actively connected to two devices at once and can store up to eight; you play audio from only one at a time. To switch, pause audio on the first device and play on the second; press and release the Bluetooth/Power button to hear which devices are connected. Bose says the headphones receive phone calls from both devices regardless of which is playing.
If notifications from the second device interrupt your listening, turn multi-point off in the Bose app: Settings, Bluetooth Connections, Multi-point connection off, which disconnects the second device; toggle it back on to reconnect two. The 2nd Gen adds improved device switching. To add a device use the app's Source, Bluetooth, Add New, or hold Bluetooth/Power to pair. If a second device cannot connect, clear the headphones' list of paired devices and remove the headphones from each device's list including LE duplicates. Bose's SoundLink speakers use Speaker Link for party and stereo modes, a different feature.
Differential
Likely causes of “Bose QuietComfort headphones and earbuds will not group, sync or play in multiple rooms”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Multi-point is off
What separates it Only one device connects because multipoint is switched off
How to confirm Turn Multi point connection on in the Bose app, and connect both devices
- 2
A second device is notifying
What separates it Alerts interrupt playback because a second device is notifying
How to confirm Turn multipoint off, or mute the second device, so it does not interrupt
- 3
The device list is full or stale
What separates it A second device will not connect because the device list is full or stale
How to confirm Clear the list on the headphones, and pair both devices again
- 4
A duplicate LE entry
What separates it The computer makes odd connections because of a duplicate LE entry
How to confirm Remove the LE entries from the computer's Bluetooth list
- 5
Both devices are playing
What separates it The audio switches unexpectedly because both devices are playing
How to confirm Pause one device before you play on the other, so that the audio does not switch
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which two devices you connect at the same time
- Whether multipoint is switched on in the app
- What interrupts the playback and when it happens
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck multi-point
ReversibleCheck multipoint, in the Bose app, under Settings and then Bluetooth Connections, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Connect device one
ReversibleConnect device one, by pairing the first device with the headphones, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Connect device two
ReversibleConnect device two, by pairing the second device with the headphones, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Switch audio
ReversibleSwitch audio, by pausing on one device, and then playing on the other, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clear if needed
ReversibleClear the list if needed, and remove the LE entries from the device, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Turn it off if it interrupts
ReversibleTurn it off if it interrupts, by toggling Multi point connection off in the app.
Contact Bose
ReversibleContact Bose if it fails, and start a repair or a replacement, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Multipoint
- Bose lists two active devices and eight remembered devices for the QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
- Speakers
- Party and Stereo modes belong to the SoundLink speakers and their Speaker Link feature.
- 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 two devices will not connect after clearing the list and rebooting, start a repair or replacement with Bose
- !If only one device fails, check that device on its own
- !If calls route wrongly, check each device's Bluetooth settings
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Switching, calls from both devices and turning multi-point off.
Eight remembered devices and two active.
Clearing memory and LE duplicates.
Speaker Link on the speakers, for comparison.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can Bose headphones connect to two devices?+
Yes, the QC Ultra Headphones connect to two at once and play from one.
How do I switch?+
Pause audio on one device and play on the other.
Do calls come from both?+
Yes, calls come through regardless of which device plays audio.
How do I turn multi-point off?+
In the Bose app, Settings, Bluetooth Connections.
What does turning it off do?+
Turning it off disconnects the second device, so only one stays connected.
Is the 2nd Gen better?+
Bose says it improves device switching.
How do I see which are connected?+
Press and release the Bluetooth/Power button to hear them.
Is this like Sonos grouping?+
No, headphones do not group; SoundLink speakers use Speaker Link.