Pairing and connecting with an Android smartphone using LE Audio

LE Audio is a sound communication standard for Bluetooth technology.

Both the Android smartphone and the headset must support LE Audio.

Devices supporting LE Audio

For the latest information on the compatible devices, refer to the support website.

About LE Audio

  • LE Audio supports the “LC3” codec. When connection is established using LE Audio, you can enjoy sound from an Android smartphone with less sound delay.
  • When connected using LE Audio, some of the headset functions cannot be used. For details, see “What you can do with the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app”.
  1. Install the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app on the Android smartphone, and connect the headset via Bluetooth connection.

    For details on how to connect via Bluetooth connection, see “Connecting with the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app” or “Pairing and connecting with an Android smartphone”.

  2. Launch the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app and select [LE Audio connection setting for headphones] - [LE Audio Priority].

    For more details, refer to the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app help guide.

    https://rd1.sony.net/help/mdr/hpc/h_zz/

  3. Using the Android smartphone, delete the pairing information (history of the Classic Audio connection).

    1. Select [Settings] - [Device connection] - [Bluetooth].

    2. Select [Paired devices] - [LinkBuds S] to delete the paring information.

  4. Enter pairing mode on this headset by operating the charging case.

    1. Set the headset units into the charging case.

      Leave the charging case lid open.

    2. With the charging case lid open, press and hold the pairing button on the back of the charging case for about 5 seconds or more.

      Note: The headset does not enter pairing mode with the lid of the charging case closed.

      The indicator (blue) on the charging case repeatedly flashes slowly twice in a row and the headset goes into pairing mode.

      You can remove the headset from the charging case after entering pairing mode. When you put the headset units into both ears, you will hear a notification sound and the voice guidance say “Pairing”, from both headset units at the same time.

  5. Find the headset on the Android smartphone.

    1. Select [Settings] - [Device connection] to open the Bluetooth settings screen.

    2. Select [Pair new device].

    3. Select [Available devices] - [LinkBuds S].

    The headset and smartphone are paired and connected with each other.

    When the headset is placed in the charging case, the indicator (blue) on the charging case flashes 10 times.

    When you are wearing the headset, you will hear a notification sound indicating that the connection is established from both headset units at the same time. When you are wearing only one headset unit, you will hear the notification sound from the headset unit you are wearing.

  6. On the Android smartphone, check the LE Audio setting.

    1. Touch (settings) displayed next to the connected [LinkBuds S].

    2. Check that [LE Audio] is turned on.

      If it is turned off, touch the switch to turn on [LE Audio].

  7. Check the LE Audio connection.

    On the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app screen, check that [LE Audio] is displayed under the headset name.

To finish LE Audio

Reconnect the headset with the Android smartphone using Classic Audio.

Launch the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app and select [LE Audio connection setting for headphones] - [Classic Audio only (conventional connection method)].

If the connection is not successful after changing the connection settings, delete the pairing information and perform pairing again.

If you cannot switch to [Classic Audio only (conventional connection method)] in the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app, initialize the headset.

Hint

  • The operation above is an example. For more details, refer to the operating instructions supplied with the Android smartphone.