Manage Surface Headphones settings

You can connect your headphones to two devices at one time. Here’s how you can connect or disconnect your Surface Headphones from your PC or phone.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Device information.

2. Under Paired devices, find the device you want to disconnect, and then turn off the toggle.

3. Turn on the toggle to connect again.

On an iOS or Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones > Device information.

2. Under Paired devices, turn the toggle on or off to connect or disconnect from your phone.

Choose the equalizer preset you want to use or create your own custom preset. This lets you customize your audio settings to get the sound you want.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Equalizer.

2. Select a new preset.

3. To create your own custom preset, adjust the sliders, enter a new name, then select the check mark to save.

On an iOS or Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones.

2. Tap Equalizer.

3. Tap a new preset.

4. To create your own custom preset, tap Edit, enter a new name, tap Save, then adjust the sliders.

Change the name of your Surface Headphones. This is the name that appears when you connect to them and when you pair with new devices.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones.

2. Select Edit in the top right corner.

3. In the text box, type a new name.

4. Enter a new name for your headphones, and then select the check mark to save.

On an iOS or Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones > Personalize.

2. In the Edit name box, enter a new name for your headphones, and then tap Save.

Change the language that is used on your headphones and in the app.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Connect your Surface Headphones to your PC using a USB cable. This will save you time when updating the language for your headphones compared to doing it over Bluetooth.

2. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Settings.

3. Under Device language, select a new language, and then select Apply.
   Note: When you select a new language, the firmware will be updated.

On an iOS or Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones > Device settings.

2. To change the language that’s used on your headphones (for example, the language that’s played in voice prompts), select a new language under Surface Headphones Language, and then tap Apply.
   Note: When you select a new language, the firmware will be updated and that can take over an hour.

Lets Cortana respond to “Hey Cortana.” If you're not using Cortana, you can turn this off to help improve battery life. This setting is only available for Surface Headphones (first version). Note: Cortana isn't available on Surface Headphones in all countries and regions, and the experience may vary by country/region. If Cortana isn't available on your headphones in your area, you won't be able to control them using your voice, but you can still use the touch gestures.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Settings.

2. Select Allow voice activation to turn voice activation off or on.

On an iOS or Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones > Device settings.

2. Tap Cortana to turn voice activation off or on.

You might want to turn the touch areas off to prevent accidental taps.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Settings.

2. Select Touch controls to turn the touch areas off or on.

On an iOS or Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones > Device settings.

2. Tap Touch control to turn the touch areas off or on.

These include voice prompts that play when you turn your headphones on or off, connect to a PC or phone, or let you know how much battery you have left.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Settings.

2. Select Voice prompts to turn the voice prompts off or on.

On an iOS or Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones > Device settings.

2. Tap Voice prompts to turn the voice prompts off or on.

Use Surface Headphones 2 and Surface Headphones 2+ with Office apps that are part of a Microsoft 365 subscription (sold separately). This lets you do things like dictate documents in Word, use your headphones during a PowerPoint presentation for captions and subtitles, and play your emails aloud in Outlook (iOS and Android only). For more info, see Use Microsoft 365 with Surface Headphones. For Surface Headphones 2+, you'll also be able to control your Teams meetings and calls. For more info, see Use Surface Headphones 2+ in Microsoft Teams.

When your headphones are paired over Bluetooth LE, the Microsoft 365 integration toggle will be turned on and grayed out. You can then use your headphones with Office apps. This setting is only available when your Surface Headphones 2 or Surface Headphones 2+ are connected to your Windows 10/11 PC using Bluetooth. (It's not available when your Surface Headphones 2+ are connected to your PC using Microsoft Surface USB Link.) 

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Settings.

2. Make sure the Microsoft 365 integration toggle is turned on. It will be grayed out.

You can use aptX audio for the highest-quality audio. However, not all devices support aptX audio—including Surface USB Link for Surface Headphones 2+ on your Windows 10/11 PC. aptX audio will use more battery power when turned on, and it’s available when you have Surface Headphones 2 or Surface Headphones 2+ connected.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Settings.

2. Select Highest audio quality (aptX audio) to turn aptX audio on or off.
   
   You can turn this setting on or off whether your Surface Headphones 2+ are connected to Surface USB Link or over Bluetooth. However, aptX audio can only be used when your Surface Headphones 2+ are connected to your PC over Bluetooth. aptX audio isn’t used when your Surface Headphones 2+ are connected to your PC using Surface USB Link.

On an Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones > Device settings.

2. Tap Highest audio quality (aptX audio) to turn aptX audio on or off.

Remove the device from both the Surface app and the Bluetooth pairing on your PC or phone. After you remove the device, you can pair again anytime.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

1. Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Device information.

2. Under Remove device, select Remove.

3. Select Remove to remove it.

On an iOS or Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones > Device information.

2. In the Remove device section, tap Remove.

3. Tap Remove to remove it.

Find the hardware model info for your Surface Headphones and the firmware version that’s currently installed.

On a Windows 10/11 PC

• Open the Surface app, then select Surface Headphones > Device information.

On an iOS or Android device

1. Open the Surface app, then tap Account > Surface Headphones > Device information.

2. Look in the Details section.