How to Set up All the Features of Powerbeats Pro 2

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are impressive earbuds , but they require some setup to use all of their features, especially if you want to try out the heart rate tracking feature. Here’s a full guide to connecting the earbuds to Android phones and iPhones, as well as how to get the best fit.

Pairing Powerbeats Pro 2 with iPhone

Apple has made it easy to pair the Powerbeats Pro 2 with your iPhone, at least for audio. The heart rate feature is a little more complicated, and I’ll cover that later. But to connect the Powerbeats Pro 2, just open the case while your phone is nearby. That’s it!

Follow the instructions on your phone’s screen. You may be asked to hold down the button inside the case lid. You’ll also be asked to complete a compatibility test (you can do this later) and tell Siri about your calls and notifications.

Pairing Powerbeats Pro 2 with an Android Phone

To use Powerbeats Pro 2 with an Android phone, first install the Beats app , tap Connect, and select Powerbeats Pro 2. (My app labels both versions as “Powerbeats Pro,” but there’s a photo of the correct model for each.) Select the audio connection option and follow the prompts. You’ll be prompted to open the case. If pairing doesn’t begin automatically, press and hold the button inside the case lid to put the Powerbeats into pairing mode.

Once you pair the Powerbeats Pro 2, you’ll be prompted to take a fitness test and set up heart rate monitoring features. I also received a small message with instructions on how to mute and end a call. (A single press of the main button mutes, a double press ends the call.)

Correct fit using ear pads and sound testing

To achieve the best sound quality and effective noise cancellation (for example, with active noise cancellation), it is important that the headphones fit tightly to your ears. This involves two factors: choosing the right size ear pads and adjusting the angle to achieve the optimal position.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 come with five eartips, ranging from XS to XL. They’re a fairly standard size and shape, but you can always swap them out for tips from other brands. For example, one Reddit user reported that the AZLA eartips provided a better seal. Out of curiosity, I swapped mine out for the silicone tips that came with the Loop earplugs, and they fit just fine, too.

If you have trouble getting the silicone tip onto your earphone, turn it inside out. This makes it much easier to work with, especially on smaller earphones.

Next, run the sound test. You can find it in Settings on your iPhone or in the Beats app on Android, under “Ear Fit Test.” You’ll need to be in a quiet environment; the app refused to run the test when I was in a noisy gym. You’ll hear a few seconds of music, and then the app will give you feedback on the fit of the earbuds in each ear.

If you can’t get a tight fit, experiment and try again. You may need a different size ear pads or just change the angle of the headphones and try again. I’ve found that the best fit is achieved when the headphones are angled forward.

Important note: The best fit for sound quality does not necessarily mean the best fit for heart rate measurement! As I wrote in my review , I found that leaning forward provided the best sound quality, but the heart rate sensor cannot accurately measure heart rate in this position. Beats and Apple do not provide any information on how to properly fit earbuds for heart rate measurement other than recommending an ear tip fit test , which is not always helpful.

Connecting a Heart Rate Sensor to an iPhone

As for pairing the heart rate sensor, paradoxically, things are a little more complicated due to Apple’s desire to ensure a seamless experience. The sensor can’t be paired like a regular Bluetooth heart rate monitor; instead, you need to use special partner apps that will automatically measure your pulse.

At the time of writing, they are: Open, Nike Run Club, Runna, Ladder, Slopes, Pedometer++, LazyFit, and five more fitness apps with vague names like “Workout for Women.” This list is subject to change, so check out the official list here .

The heart rate sensor is enabled by default, but you can turn it off. If you can’t set your heart rate to display in these apps, check your settings and make sure the heart rate feature is enabled.

Pairing a Heart Rate Sensor on Android

On Android, the heart rate function works just like any other Bluetooth heart rate sensor. It’s important to note that this is a separate pairing step from pairing headphones to listen to music. Playing music through the headphones does not mean the heart rate sensor is connected.

Make sure the heart rate feature is turned on in your Beats settings. Go to My Beats and scroll down to find the heart rate feature. Turn it on.

To put the heart rate sensor into pairing mode, double-press and hold the button on the side of the earbud. The sensor is now available for pairing with apps and devices. For example, in the Strava app, you can use the Powerbeats as a heart rate sensor just like a chest strap.

If you connect the heart rate sensor to other equipment, such as a treadmill at the gym, you won’t be able to play audio from your phone at the same time .

Settings you might want to change

Even after your Powerbeats Pro 2 are fully connected, you’ll probably want to adjust a few settings. Here are a few tips:

• Switch between listening modes : Holding the side button toggles between noise-canceling and transparency modes. But there are actually three listening modes available in the settings app. The other is “off,” meaning noise control is disabled. You can choose from the modes available with the side button — all three or any two you choose.

• Reprogram the side button : By default, both earbuds use a press and hold of the side button to control noise. But if you want, you can set one or both buttons to activate your phone’s voice assistant (Siri on iPhone, or the equivalent on Android).

• Reprogramming call controls : By default, press the side button once to answer a call, press it once during a call to mute or unmute, and press it twice to end a call. You can swap these last two actions if you want.

• Use one earbud at a time : Normally, you need to use both earbuds to use the noise-cancelling feature, but there is a setting that allows you to use the feature even when using only one earbud. (However, both earbuds are always required to measure heart rate.)

• Set up personalized spatial sound (iPhone/Apple devices only) : You can customize the sound in Facetime calls and supported shows and videos so that it feels like the sound is all around you. There’s a special setup process for this; Apple’s details are here .

• Allow Siri to speak notifications or not (iPhone/Apple devices only) : It’s exactly what it sounds like. Siri will interrupt your workout music to tell you that your husband is texting you about something. Not sure if I like this feature.

• Share a connection across all your devices (iPhone/Apple devices only) : Once you pair your Powerbeats with your iPhone, they’ll automatically connect to all your other devices, like your Mac laptop. If that’s not an option for you, uncheck “Connect automatically” and choose the other option: Only connect to this iPhone the last time I connected to it.

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