Having your Bluetooth speaker pumped to the max during a small party or even just relaxing at home is fun. What’s even better is connecting your phone to two Bluetooth speakers simultaneously.
Here’s how to connect your Android or iPhone smartphone to two Bluetooth speakers:
- Make sure your Bluetooth is discoverable
- Switch on your Bluetooth speakers
- Pair the first device using Bluetooth
- Pair the second device
With these four easy steps, you can connect your smartphone and multiple speakers in no time. Keep reading for a more in-depth explanation of each step.
I’ll also talk a bit about troubleshooting some Bluetooth speaker issues, and the speaker technologies available that allow you to connect Bluetooth speakers easily.
Also read: How To Connect Multiple Bluetooth Speakers To A Smart TV
How To Connect Two Bluetooth Speakers Simultaneously (Android And iPhone)
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Most newer Android and iPhone models allow multiple audio connections. This means your device can play audio with at least one other device at the same time. If you’re up to date with the latest Android or iOS systems, there should be no problem connecting two audio devices.
1. Make Sure Your Bluetooth Is Discoverable
Before you can connect your phone to the speakers, make sure you turn on your Bluetooth and that it’s discoverable by other devices.
To check whether Bluetooth is turned on for iPhone:
- Ensure you’re using the latest version of iOS. Tap “Settings” > “General” > “About” to check the iOS version you have. If it’s not the latest version, update it.
- Swipe your home screen from top to bottom, then tap the “Bluetooth” icon.
- Alternatively, you can ask Siri to “Turn on Bluetooth.”
To check whether Bluetooth is turned on for Android:
- Ensure you’re using the latest software version. Go to your Android’s “Settings” > “System” > “System Update” > “Android version” > “Android security update.” If it’s not the latest version, update it.
- Go back to “Settings,” then find “Bluetooth.” Tap “Bluetooth.”
- Alternatively, you can swipe your active home screen from top to bottom, find the “Bluetooth” icon, and tap it.
2. Switch On Your Bluetooth Speakers
To make your Bluetooth speakers discoverable, you’ll need to power them on first. Switch on both Bluetooth speakers by pressing and holding the power button. Once you hear your speakers make a sound or play a chime, this means they’re on.
3. Pair the First Device Using Bluetooth
When you pair devices with speakers, you need to do it one at a time. Here’s how it works for Android and iPhone.
iPhone
- Make sure your phone and your Bluetooth speakers are discoverable by all devices.
- Select the speaker you want to connect to your phone.
- Follow the instructions displayed on your phone. You may be asked to enter a passcode.
- Try to connect the speakers as quickly as possible.
- Repeat for every speaker or device you want to connect.
Android
- Make sure your phone and your Bluetooth speakers are discoverable by all devices.
- Select “Advanced Settings.”
- Locate and toggle “Dual Audio.”
- Select the speaker devices you want to connect with.
- Follow the instructions displayed on your phone. You may be asked to enter a passcode.
- Repeat for every speaker or device you want to connect.
4. Pair the Second Device
Now, you can start connecting your second device. Again, depending on whether you use an Android or iPhone, the steps you have to follow will differ. Then, you can start testing whether all the connections are working by playing a sample audio or two.
Also read:
Troubleshooting Bluetooth Speaker Issues
In an ideal world, all of the above steps would go smoothly. But because multiple steps are involved, you’re bound to encounter hiccups along the way. The following are issues you may encounter when connecting Bluetooth speakers and how to fix them.
Audio Is Distorted
The thing with Bluetooth is that it cannot completely penetrate all surfaces. If you play your audio and you notice that it sounds off, check whether there’s any kind of obstruction between any of the devices. Chances are, all you have to do is remove that obstruction to fix the problem.
This is especially important if you’re playing surround sound. If you want that concert-level quality, you have to remove as many obstacles between your devices and speakers as much as possible. Otherwise, you won’t be able to enjoy your music to the fullest.
Other Issues
If your Bluetooth speakers aren’t working and your issue isn’t either of the above, you can try the following:
- Double-check that all devices are discoverable on Bluetooth.
- Restart your Bluetooth app.
- Update your Bluetooth app (if it’s not already updated.)
- Isolate the problem. Disconnect your device temporarily from one speaker or device, and play your audio. If the audio sounds off under a particular setup, one or more of the devices involved in that setup may have issues.
Smartphone Compatibility With Bluetooth 5
Most Android devices from 2017 can connect with more than one Bluetooth device. For smartphones with Android 10 and above, connecting to multiple devices is as easy as tapping a switch on your quick panel.
As for iPhones, newer models operating on iOS 11.4 and above come with Bluetooth 5, allowing you to connect two devices at the same time. The compatibility includes the iPhone 7 and up since they’re compatible with iOS 11.4.
Other Methods To Connect a Device to Multiple Speakers
With technology advancing more and more every day, some speaker brands have released extra features to make connecting speakers of the same brand to one smartphone more manageable.
HomePod Stereo Pair
If you own a HomePod Stereo Pair, you can easily use your iPhone (iOS 11.4 and later) to connect to the speakers. However, to pair your HomePod Stereo, you need all the devices to be compatible, and the speakers need to be in the same room.
To connect to the HomePod Stereo, log into your Apple Home app, tap on Homepod and go to “Settings.” You can tap on “Create Stereo Pair” and link to the second speaker. Adjust the sound as you prefer, and then enjoy your music to the hilt!
JBL Connect+
For Android, these smart speakers come with extra features like Connect+ or PartyBoost. These allow the speakers to connect and play music in sync. To connect to Bluetooth, link to the first speaker as you usually would. After successfully connecting with the first speaker, switch on the second speaker and hit the “Connect” feature button to synchronize the two.
Ultimate Ears: Boom & MegaBoom
Ultimate Ears recently released an app (available for both iOS and Android) that allows you to connect to more than 2 Boom and Megaboom speakers simultaneously.
Start by connecting your smartphone to the speaker via Bluetooth. After joining the first speaker, hit the Bluetooth and volume up buttons simultaneously on the first speaker until you hear the speaker ring.
Now, you can turn on your second speaker. Hit the Bluetooth button two times until you hear the chime. You can connect as many speakers as you like by repeating the steps with the first speaker.
Final Thoughts
Technology allows us to share and spread joy indirectly, and since music is what connects us as humans, what’s better than sharing music over multiple speakers?
The most important thing to remember is to check whether your smartphone software is up to date. Most newer phones can connect to multiple speakers simultaneously.
By following the steps and tips provided above, you can quickly combine numerous speakers at the same time with your iPhone or Android without much trouble.
