How to Pair Shokz Headphones (OpenRun, OpenFit and OpenSwim Pro)

Short answer: to pair most Shokz bone conduction headphones, start with them switched off, then press and hold the Volume + button for about 5 to 7 seconds until the voice prompt says “pairing” and the light flashes red and blue. Then choose the headphones in your phone or computer’s Bluetooth list. Shokz OpenFit open earbuds work differently: put both earbuds in the case and hold the button inside the case for 3 seconds until the light flashes orange and green. Below are the full steps for each model, how to connect two devices at once, and what to do when pairing fails.

Which Shokz do you have?

Your model name is printed on the inside of the band or on the box, and it is the name that appears in your Bluetooth list, for example “OpenRun Pro by Shokz”.

How to pair Shokz bone conduction headphones (OpenRun, OpenRun Pro, OpenMove, Aeropex)

1. Make sure the headphones are switched off. If they are on, hold Volume + until the light flashes red and they power down.
2. Press and hold Volume +. After about 3 to 5 seconds the voice says “Welcome to Shokz”; keep holding for another 2 to 3 seconds until it says “pairing” and the light flashes red and blue.
3. On your phone, open Bluetooth settings and tap the headphones’ name, such as “OpenRun by Shokz”.
4. Wait for the voice prompt “connected” and a steady connection. Play something to check the sound.

If you release the button too early, the headphones simply turn on and try to reconnect to the last device instead of entering pairing mode. Switch them off and hold the button a little longer.

How to pair Shokz OpenFit and OpenFit 2 open earbuds

1. The first time you use them, open the charging case with both earbuds inside. They enter pairing mode automatically and the case light flashes orange and green.
2. To pair again later, put both earbuds in the case, keep the lid open, and press and hold the button inside the case, below the earbuds, for 3 seconds until the light flashes orange and green.
3. Choose the earbuds in your device’s Bluetooth list, for example “OpenFit 2 by Shokz”.

How to pair Shokz OpenSwim Pro

The OpenSwim Pro works as Bluetooth headphones on land and as an MP3 player in the pool, because Bluetooth does not travel well through water. To pair it, switch it off, then hold Volume + for 5 to 7 seconds until the voice says “pairing” and the light flashes red and blue, and select it on your phone. For swimming, copy music onto it and switch to MP3 mode. The original OpenSwim has no Bluetooth at all, so it never appears in your Bluetooth list.

Pairing with an iPhone, Android phone, Windows PC or Mac

• iPhone: Settings > Bluetooth, then tap the Shokz name under Other Devices.
• Android: open Bluetooth settings (Settings > Connected devices on Pixel phones, Settings > Connections > Bluetooth on Samsung), tap Pair new device or scan, and tap the Shokz name.
• Windows 11: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Bluetooth, then choose the Shokz name. If they drop out on a PC, see our guide to Bluetooth headphones disconnecting on Windows 11.
• Mac: System Settings > Bluetooth, then click Connect next to the Shokz name.

How to connect Shokz to two devices at once (multipoint)

Multipoint lets you stay connected to a phone and a laptop together. On OpenRun and OpenRun Pro, you switch it on with a button combination:

1. Start with the headphones off and enter pairing mode (hold Volume + until “pairing”).
2. Press and hold the multifunction button and Volume + together for about 3 seconds, until the voice says “multipoint enabled”.
3. Pair your first device. Then switch the headphones off.
4. Enter pairing mode again and pair the second device. Switch the headphones off once more.
5. Turn them back on. They reconnect to both devices.

Newer models, including the OpenRun Pro 2 and OpenFit 2, also let you manage multipoint in the Shokz app, which is the easiest way to set it up. To switch multipoint off on OpenRun models, enter pairing mode and hold the multifunction and Volume – buttons together.

Shokz not showing up or will not pair? Try these fixes

• Check the light. Red and blue (or orange and green on OpenFit) means pairing mode. A steady blue light means they are already connected to something else.
• Turn off Bluetooth on the last device you used, such as an old phone or a tablet in another room, which may be grabbing the connection.
• Remove the old pairing from your phone’s Bluetooth list, then pair again from the start.
• Charge them. A very low battery can stop pairing. On band models, a “charge me” prompt and a flashing red light mean the battery is low.
• Update the firmware in the Shokz app.
• Reset them as a last step (below).

How to reset Shokz headphones

A reset clears all saved pairings, so you will need to pair every device again. For OpenRun, OpenRun Pro and OpenRun Pro 2:

1. Switch the headphones off.
2. Hold Volume + until the light flashes red and blue (pairing mode).
3. Press and hold multifunction, Volume + and Volume – together for 3 to 5 seconds, until you hear beeps or feel vibrations.
4. Switch the headphones off, then pair them again.

For OpenFit earbuds and other models, check the reset steps in the Shokz app or your model’s user guide on the Shokz website, as the method differs. Our general guide to resetting Bluetooth headphones also covers what a reset does and when to use it.

Using your Shokz after pairing

Once connected, the headphones reconnect to the last device automatically when you switch them on. You can check the battery by pressing a volume button while nothing is playing; the voice reports the level. If you are new to bone conduction, our guide on how to use bone conduction headphones explains fit and sound, and our best bone conduction headphones guide compares the current Shokz range with rivals.

Frequently asked questions