The box sits on the kitchen counter, sleek and minimalist. It holds more than just a piece of technology; it contains a promise. A promise of phone calls while walking the dog, of podcasts during a city run, of music on a bike trail without sealing yourself off from the world.
I remember my first pair. The strange, lightweight feel of the titanium band. The initial confusion.
I pressed what I thought was the power button. Nothing. I pressed it again, harder.
Still silence.
For a moment, a flicker of disappointment. Was this revolutionary open-ear experience going to be stalled by something as simple as an on-switch? That small moment of uncertainty is common.
It’s the slight hesitation before a new journey. This is not just a guide. It is a map for that first small step.
We will walk through the simple, elegant process of how to turn on Shokz headphones, ensuring your first experience is one of sound and awareness, not silence and frustration.
The Unboxing Ritual: First Contact
There is a unique satisfaction in opening new electronics. The careful packaging, the scent of fresh plastic and cardboard, the weight of the device in your hand. Your Shokz headphones are no different.
When you lift them from their cradle, you’ll notice they are unlike any headphones you’ve held before. There are no bulky ear cups, no invasive buds. There is just a smooth, flexible band and two small pads that rest gently in front of your ears.
This design is the heart of bone conduction technology. It’s a concept that feels futuristic but is surprisingly intuitive. Instead of pushing sound waves through the air into your ear canal, these devices send tiny vibrations through your cheekbones directly to your inner ear.
The result is a private listening experience where your ears remain completely open. Before you can experience this, your first task is a simple one: locate the controls. They are designed to be discreet, blending into the form of the headphones so they don’t interfere with your movement.
The First Step: Locating and Using the Power Button
The entire operation hinges on one key area. On most Shokz models, like the popular OpenRun or OpenRun Pro, the controls are consolidated on the right side of the band, in the thicker module that rests behind your ear. This is where you will find the volume buttons and the charging port.
It’s a deliberate design choice, keeping the controls accessible yet out of the way.
Your Command Center: The Volume+ / Power Button
Feel along that right-side module. You will notice two small, tactile buttons. These are your volume controls.
The button closer to the front, the one you’d press to increase the volume, does double duty. This is your Volume+ / Power button. It is the single point of contact you need to bring your headphones to life.
It’s not a big, obvious switch but a subtle, integrated part of the design. Take a moment to feel it with your finger. This is your gateway.
It’s the button you will press to start your run, answer a call, or sink into a story, all while staying connected to your surroundings.
The Power-Up Sequence: A Three-Second Ritual
Turning on your Shokz is not just a quick tap. It requires a deliberate press, a design feature that prevents them from accidentally turning on in a gym bag or pocket. To power them up, press and hold the Volume+ / Power button for about three seconds.
Don’t be too quick to let go. You are waiting for feedback.
First, you might feel a slight vibration. Then, a friendly voice will greet you through the transducers. An auditory confirmation: “Welcome to Shokz.” This greeting is your signal that the headphones are on and ready.
The small LED indicator light, located near the buttons, will also flash, usually blue, confirming the device is powered on. This simple, three-second hold is all it takes. It’s a small, intentional action that begins a unique listening experience.
Bringing Your Shokz to Life: The Pairing Process
Once your headphones are on, the next step is to connect them to your audio source, whether it’s your phone, watch, or computer. This process, known as Bluetooth pairing, creates a wireless link for your music and calls. For Shokz, this is designed to be just as straightforward as turning them on.
The key is to put the headphones into a specific “pairing mode” so your device can find them.
Activating Pairing Mode
Pairing mode is initiated from a powered-off state. If you just turned your headphones on, you’ll need to turn them off first by pressing and holding the same Volume+ / Power button until you hear the power-down tone.
Now, with the headphones off, press and hold the Volume+ / Power button again, but this time, continue holding it for about five to seven seconds. You will first hear the “Welcome to Shokz” prompt. Keep holding the button.
A few seconds later, the voice will announce, “Pairing,” and the LED indicator will begin to flash red and blue. This is the signal that your Shokz are now discoverable and ready to connect to a new device.
Connecting with Your Device
With your Shokz in pairing mode, pick up your phone or other device. Open the Bluetooth settings. You may need to turn Bluetooth on if it isn’t already.
Your phone will begin scanning for nearby devices. In the list of available devices, you should see your Shokz model name appear, such as “OpenRun Pro by Shokz.”
Simply tap on the name to initiate the connection. Within a few moments, the devices will pair. Your Shokz may provide one final voice prompt, like “Connected,” and the flashing LED will turn to a slow, pulsing blue.
That’s it. Your headphones are now linked to your device, ready to play audio. This process typically only needs to be done once per device.
The next time you turn your Shokz on, they will automatically reconnect to the last paired device if it’s nearby and has Bluetooth enabled.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
Even the most user-friendly technology can have its moments. If you’ve followed the steps and your Shokz headphones aren’t turning on or connecting, there’s no need for concern. The solution is usually very simple and straightforward.
A few quick checks can resolve nearly all common issues, getting you back on track and into your audio.
The Silence of an Uncharged Battery
By far, the most common reason for a pair of headphones not turning on is a depleted battery. Before you do anything else, make sure your Shokz are charged. Most models use a proprietary magnetic charging cable.
Locate the charging port on the right-side module, and the magnetic cable will snap satisfyingly into place.
Plug the other end into a USB power source. An LED indicator will light up to confirm it’s charging, typically glowing red. Once the battery is full, this light will turn blue.
For your very first use, it is a great practice to give the headphones a full charge right out of the box. Sometimes, even new devices have very little power remaining from manufacturing and shipping. For more detailed information on your specific model, the official Shokz Help Center is an excellent resource.
Connected but No Sound? Check the Simple Things
You hear “Welcome to Shokz,” and your phone says it’s connected, but the music or podcast is silent. This can be frustrating, but the fix is usually quick. First, check the volume.
It’s possible the volume on your Shokz or your phone is turned all the way down. Press the Volume+ button on the headphones a few times. Also, check the volume slider on your phone.
Second, confirm the audio output. On your phone, when audio is playing, make sure the output is set to your Shokz headphones and not the phone’s internal speaker or another connected device. This can usually be seen in the music player app or the phone’s control center.
These small checks often resolve the issue, revealing that the connection was successful all along.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know my Shokz are charging?
When you connect the magnetic charging cable, a small LED indicator light near the port will turn on. A solid red light signifies that the headphones are currently charging. Once the battery is fully charged, this light will change to a solid blue light.
If you see a red and blue flashing light while trying to charge, it could indicate a moisture detection alert, and you should ensure the charging port is completely dry before trying again.
Can I turn on my Shokz with one hand?
Yes, absolutely. The controls are designed for ease of use, especially for athletes who might be in the middle of an activity. The Volume+ / Power button is placed behind the right ear, and its raised, tactile feel makes it easy to locate and press with your thumb or index finger without looking.
This allows you to power them on or off, adjust volume, or answer a call while running, cycling, or working out, ensuring minimal disruption to your focus.
How do I check the battery level after turning them on?
After you’ve turned on your Shokz and they are idle (no music playing), a quick press of the Volume+ or Volume- button will trigger a voice prompt that announces the battery status. The voice will say “Battery high,” “Battery medium,” “Battery low,” or “Charge me.” This simple feature allows you to quickly gauge how much listening time you have left before you need to find your charger, so you’re never caught by surprise with a dead battery mid-adventure.
What does the “multipoint pairing” announcement mean?
If you hear “Multipoint enabled” when you turn on your headphones, it means a special feature is active. Multipoint pairing allows your Shokz to be actively connected to two devices at the same time. For example, you can be connected to your laptop for a video call and your phone for incoming calls.
If a call comes in on your phone, the headphones will automatically switch the audio from the laptop to the phone. It’s a powerful feature for people who multitask across several devices.
How do I turn my Shokz headphones off?
Turning your Shokz off is just as simple as turning them on. You use the exact same button: the Volume+ / Power button. Press and hold it for about three to five seconds.
You will hear a descending power-down tone or a voice prompt saying “Power off.” The LED light will flash red briefly and then turn off completely, confirming that the headphones are now powered down and conserving battery life for your next session.
Your World, Your Soundtrack
That initial moment of fumbling with a new device quickly fades. It is replaced by the simple, repeatable rhythm of pressing and holding a single button. Finding the Volume+ button, holding it for three seconds, and hearing that welcoming voice becomes second nature.
It’s the small ritual that begins each workout, each walk, each moment you choose to layer a soundtrack over your world without tuning it out.
The real experience isn’t about the technology itself, but what it allows. It’s hearing your favorite song while also hearing the birds on the trail. It’s catching up on a podcast while still being aware of traffic on your commute.
It’s the blend of your digital life and your physical presence. The simple act of turning on your headphones is the start of that connection.
Now that the silence is broken and your soundtrack is ready, where will your first open-ear adventure take you?
