I’m a fervent fan of Sony products and for a good reason. Sony produces high-quality, innovative, and durable electronics and accessories. I bought the Sony WF-1000XM3 earbuds in 2021, which are still in top shape. These True Wireless noise-canceling headphones provide up to 6 hours of continuous playback time. With noise-canceling off, I get 8 hours of listening time.
What I like most about these earbuds is that they are compatible with almost any Bluetooth device. I can connect them to my smartphone, computer, Android TV, and Walkman. While I’ve never had issues pairing my earbuds with my devices, some people have not been so lucky.
Today I will show you how to pair Sony WF-1000XM3 with your phone, laptop, or TV. Stick here to learn more.
Key Takeaways
- To use the Bluetooth function of the Sony WF-1000XM3, you must pair the earbuds with the connecting device.
- Once paired, the devices will connect automatically with subsequent connections when Bluetooth is on.
- When you power on your Sony WF-1000XM3 for the first time, they automatically enter pairing mode.
- If you want to pair your Sony WF-1000XM3 with a second device, you can put them in pairing mode by pressing the touchpads on both units for about 7 seconds.
- Resetting or initializing your Sony WF-1000XM3 can help resolve pairing issues. A reset will restore all the settings to factory mode, allowing you to retry the process afresh.
Putting Sony WF-1000XM3 into Pairing Mode
Bluetooth connections can only work if connecting devices register and exchange information. Device registration between Bluetooth units is called pairing.
You will only need to pair your earbuds with the connecting phone, computer, laptop, or TV once. Once paired, the devices will connect automatically with subsequent connections when Bluetooth is on.
When you power on your Sony WF-1000XM3 for the first time, they automatically enter pairing mode. The earbuds automatically enter pairing mode when you remove them from the charging case.
However, to pair your Sony WF-1000XM3 with a second device, you must manually put them in pairing mode. This is because they already have pairing information for another device.
You can put your earbuds in pairing mode using the following steps:
- Remove both earbuds from the case.
- Fit them in your ears (optional).
- Press the touch sensors on both earbuds.
- Continue pressing for about 7 seconds.
Press the touch controls on both buds simultaneously for about 7 seconds
- Release the touchpads when you hear a notification sound.
- The voice guidance will say, “Bluetooth Pairing.”
Your earbuds are now in pairing mode and ready to pair with your devices. Move to the next section to pair Sony WF-1000XM3 with your Android, laptop, Mac, and TV.
Putting SONY WF-1000XM3 in Pairing Mode
Pairing Sony WF-1000XM3 with Android
Follow these steps to pair Sony WF-1000XM3 with your Android smartphone or tablet:
- Unlock your Android screen.
- Tap the gear icon on your Android to open Settings.
- Go to Device Connection.
- Go to Bluetooth.
- Tap the slider to enable Bluetooth on your Android.
- Wait for your Android device to search for Bluetooth devices.
- Select WF-1000XM3 from the list.
Select WF-1000XM3 under Available Devices
- Enter 0000 as the passkey if prompted.
- Both earbuds will produce a notification sound, and voice guidance will say, “Bluetooth Connected.”
Pairing WF-1000XM3 with an Android Phone
Pairing Sony WF-1000XM3 with Laptop
Follow the steps to pair Sony WF-1000XM3 with your Windows laptop:
- Power on your laptop.
- Right-click the Start button.
- Go to Settings.
- Click Bluetooth & other devices.
- Turn Bluetooth on if it is not on already.
- Click Add Bluetooth or other device.
- Click Bluetooth.
- Wait for your laptop to search for Bluetooth devices.
- Select WF-1000XM3 from the list.
- If prompted, enter 0000 as the passkey.
- The voice guidance will say, “Bluetooth Connected.”
Pairing SONY WF-1000XM3
Pairing Sony WF-1000XM3 with Mac
Here are the steps to pair Sony WF-1000XM3 with your Macintosh:
- Click the Apple logo on the menu bar.
- Select System Preferences.
- Go to Bluetooth.
- Turn on Bluetooth.
- Wait for your Mac to search for Bluetooth devices.
- Select WF-1000XM3 from the list.
Select WF-1000XM3
- Click Connect.
- If prompted, enter 0000 as the passkey.
- The voice guidance will say, “Bluetooth Connected.”
Pairing SONY WF-1000XM3 with a MacBook
Your Sony WF-1000XM3 might pair with your Mac but won’t produce sound or play music until you change the default audio output.
Here are the steps:
- Click the Apple icon in the top left corner.
- Go to System Preferences.
- Click Sound.
- Go to the Output tab.
- Select your earbuds and set them as the audio output.
- Uncheck the mute button to ensure the earbuds play audio.
- Adjust the volume according to your preferences.
Pairing Sony WF-1000XM3 with TV
Not all TVs with Bluetooth functionality are compatible with your Sony earbuds. You can only pair your Sony WF-1000XM3 with a Smart Android TV that supports the A2DP profile.
Follow these steps to pair Sony WF-1000XM3 with your TV:
- Press the Home button on your TV remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Remote & Accessories.
- Turn Bluetooth on.
- Enable pairing mode on your Sony WF-1000XM3.
- Return to your TV’s settings menu.
- Choose Pair accessory or Add device.
- Your TV will search for nearby Bluetooth accessories.
- Select WF-1000XM3.
- Click Pair.
- The voice guidance will say, “Bluetooth Connected.”
Pairing SONY WF-1000XM3 with an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, and Samsung TV
If your TV doesn’t have Bluetooth built-in or if you experience a sound delay with your Bluetooth-enabled TV, you could try using an external Bluetooth transmitter.
Pairing SONY Headphones and Earbuds with a Non-Bluetooth TV Using a Bluetooth Transmitter
Troubleshooting Sony WF-1000XM3 Pairing Issues
Sony is thoughtful about their customers’ welfare, explaining why they have made the pairing process as seamless as possible. You don’t have to struggle to pair your earbuds with your devices. But as with most electronics, pairing issues might arise. Here are some tips to fix Sony WF-1000XM3 pairing issues:
Ensure Bluetooth is ON
The first step to fixing pairing issues is to check if Bluetooth is on in the first place. You cannot pair your devices if Bluetooth is inactive. Go to your device’s Bluetooth menu and turn it on.
Make sure the Bluetooth on your device is enabled
Check the Bluetooth Range
Bluetooth devices pair and connect with compatible devices if they are close to each other. The max distance is 10 meters or 30 feet. Move your earbuds closer to your laptop, smartphone, or Android to pair the devices successfully. Ensure no other Bluetooth gadgets are nearby and remove any obstacles that might interrupt the connection.
Make sure the distance between your SONY earbuds and your Bluetooth source device is less than 10m/33ft
Charge Your Earbuds
Sometimes your Sony WF-1000XM3 might not pair with your devices because of a low charge. Your devices must have sufficient battery power to pair. Place the earbuds in the charging case for about 10 minutes, which is enough to give you 90 minutes of playback time.
Initialize Sony WF-1000XM3
Your Sony WF-1000XM3 might fail to pair because it already has pairing information for another device. Initializing the earbuds will restore the volume settings to factory defaults and erase all pairing information.
Follow these steps to initialize your Sony WF-1000XM3:
- Place the earbuds in the charging case.
- Press the touch sensors on both units for 10 seconds.
- Maintain this position until the indicator flashes red.
- Remove your fingers from the touch sensors.
- Remove the earbuds from the case.
Initializing SONY WF-1000XM3
Reset Sony WF-1000XM3
Resetting your earbuds can help fix pairing issues. It restores the earbuds to factory defaults, allowing you to pair your headset with other devices afresh.
Here are the steps:
- Place the earbuds in the charging case.
- Leave the lid open.
- Next, press the touch sensor on the left earbud for about 20 seconds.
- Release the touch sensor when the red indicator on the earbud lights up.
- Repeat the above steps on the right earbud.
- Allow the earbuds to charge.
- Download the latest firmware via the Sony Headphones Connect app.
Resetting SONY WF-1000XM3
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How to enable pairing mode on SONY WF-1000XM3?
- Answer: You don’t need to put the earbuds in pairing mode when using them for the first time. The earbuds automatically enter pairing mode when you remove them from the charging case. However, if you want to pair them with a second device, you can put them in pairing mode by pressing the touchpads on both units for about 7 seconds.
- Question: Why is my Sony WF-1000XM3 not connecting to my phone?
- Answer: Your Sony WF-1000XM3 might not connect because of pairing issues. First, pair your earbuds with your phone to establish a connection. If already paired, check the distance between your earbuds and your phone. Ensure you are within 10 meters or 30 feet from your device. If that doesn’t work, turn Bluetooth off and on again to refresh the connection.
- Question: How do I reset my Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones?
- Answer: Place the earbuds in the charging case and leave the lid open. Next, press the touch controller on the left earbud for about 20 seconds. Release the touch sensor when the red indicator on the earbud lights up. Repeat the same steps on the right earbud. Allow the earbuds to charge, then download the latest firmware via the Sony Headphones Connect app.
- Question: How to connect Sony WF-1000XM3 to my TV?
- Answer: Press the Home button on your TV remote. Go to Settings, select Remote & Accessories, and Turn Bluetooth on. Enable pairing mode on your Sony WF-1000XM3. Return to your TV and choose Pair accessory or Add device. Your TV will search for nearby Bluetooth accessories. You’ll see your headset listed as an available option. Select your headphones from the list and click Pair.
Conclusion
The Sony WF-1000XM3 are among the best true wireless noise-canceling earbuds. They match flagship headphones from other brands thanks to their impressive features and impeccable performance.
These earbuds rarely have connection problems. Sony deliberately positioned the Bluetooth antenna on the narrow edges of the headset to prevent pairing problems. You can pair your Sony WF-1000XM3 with your smartphone, computer, TV, or Walkman without issues.
Good information provided