Ultra-lightweight and comfortable, Linkbuds S are designed to be worn all day. Here, you'll discover how to use and customise the range of features at your fingertips to stay connected to all your worlds and make the sound truly yours.
There are three ways to pair your Linkbuds S to your device.
Just put your headphones into pairing mode near your Android phone and Fast Pair will connect them with a single tap.
Fast Pair also lets you easily locate where you left your headphones by tone sound, or checking their last known location in Google’s Find My Device app on your smartphone.
Pop-up pairing guidance appears on nearby Windows 11 or Windows 10 devices when pairing mode is selected.
The first time you remove both earbuds from the charging case they will automatically enter pairing mode. Next time you want to pair, leave the earbuds in the charging case with the lid open. Press and hold the pairing button on the back of the charging case for about 5 seconds or more. The indicator on the charging case flashes twice in a row and the headset goes into pairing mode. You can remove the headset from the charging case after entering pairing mode.
Download the Sony | Headphones Connect app to adjust settings, including Ambient Sound settings, Noise Cancelling, Adaptive Sound Control, and more. Lots of the settings we mention on this page can be tailored to your preferences using the app.
The LinkBuds S headphones feature intuitive touch control settings. You can assign your own functions to each earbud using the Headphones Connect app.
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Watch this video to find out how to control playback, volume, incoming calls, and more, using simple touch controls.
Connect your headphones to two Bluetooth® devices simultaneously, so you can wait for an incoming call on one device while listening to music on the other. This feature requires you to update the firmware of the headphones, which you can do using the Headphones Connect app.
With Adaptive Sound Control the Headphones Connect app detects what's happening around you and adjusts Noise Cancelling or Ambient Sound Control settings for you.
Just open the Headphones Connect App and switch it on to use its default detection mode.
If you want to customise it even further, you can adjust Noise Cancelling or External Sound Capture preferences through the app.
This feature learns how you use the headphones while using Adaptive Sound Control and switches settings at an optimal time.
Just enable this setting and follow the on-screen prompt to sign into your Headphones Connect app account.
The Headphones Connect app detects what’s happening around you and what you’re doing. Then it adjusts settings like Noise Cancelling and Ambient Sound levels automatically. So, if you’re running, ambient sound levels might go up, then go down when you’re sitting in a cafe.
In your Headphones Connect app, within the Adaptive Sound Control setting, “Detection of Actions” will begin with the default detection settings.
You can stick with default settings or change them to your liking, for example, putting Ambient Sound levels up when you're walking to hear the world around you.
Shut the world off and hear only what you want to hear – from nothing at all to voices only.
Don't miss out on your favourite sounds, no matter where you are. Adaptive Sound Control can cancel external noise, while also letting in voices so you don’t miss important announcements, for example, on your daily commute.
Set up your headphones to change settings to your liking at the locations you visit frequently.
Try a new sound experience with Augmented Reality Gaming, which delivers sounds from different directions for truly immersive gameplay.
Gamers, you'll want to try this new feature! Using a new sensor, spatial sound technology, and head tracking, LinkBuds S deliver incredibly immersive sound when you play Augmented Reality games, such as ‘Ingress’ from Niantic.
When you can hear sound delivered from different directions according to the action in the game, you can improve your accuracy and gain the competitive edge.
To try it out, download the “Ingress Prime” app on your smartphone and play the game while wearing your LinkBuds S headphones.
Set up your headphones so that when you want to have a conversation, all you need to do is start talking.
Fine-tune your equaliser settings and adjust your streaming and upscaling settings for a better listening experience that suits your taste.
Find the sound that’s perfect for you and for everything you listen to, with an equaliser, high-quality Bluetooth settings and audio upscaling from DSEE Extreme.
Find out how to try a whole new sound experience with revolutionary 360 Reality Audio.
360 Reality Audio is an immersive music experience that lets your Linkbuds S headphones create a 360-degree spherical sound field — so you can enjoy music from every direction. Just head to the Sony | Headphones Connect app to get started.
Get started with 360 Reality Audio and find out how to stream 360 Reality Audio tracks on your phone.
Learn how the Voice Assistant, Quick Access, Wearing Sensor and Quick charging functions work.
Find out how to use the Voice Assistant on your Linkbuds S headphones. It's as easy as asking, "Hey Google, what is the weather today?" to know whether you need to grab your coat on the way out.
Open your Headphones Connect App and activate your Voice Assistant from the System tab. Then just select the Voice Assistant you normally use (Google, Alexa, Siri) to get started.
With Quick Access, you can configure these headphones to resume Spotify music playback or Endel personalised soundscapes with two or three taps – no need to touch your smartphone.
In the System menu, find the Quick Access setting. Select the cog icon to adjust what the Quick Access function does. E.g. Double tap to resume Spotify.
Instant pause. Instant play.
If you need to take your earbuds out for a moment, the music will automatically pause. When you put them back in again, the music will resume where you left off.
Listen all day, charge in minutes.
In a hurry? Just 5 minutes of quick charging gives you up to 60 minutes of play time, and the Headphones Connect app will even notify you when your charging case drops below 30%.
Find out how to keep your Linkbuds S headphones clean the right way, without damaging them.
When the headset exterior is dirty, wipe it clean with a soft dry cloth. If the headset is particularly dirty, soak a cloth in diluted neutral detergent, and wring it well before using it to clean the headset. Do not use solvents such as thinner, benzene, or alcohol, as they may damage the finish on the surface of the headset or cause other damages.
Keep your headphones up-to-date with the latest firmware releases.
When using the Sony | Headphones Connect app, it will let you know when there is a new update to download.
Make sure you have the latest firmware updated on your headphones so any bug fixes and improvements will be applied.
Have a question that needs answering? Check here first and learn about the most frequently asked questions from other LinkBuds S ear bud users.
The noise cancelling circuit senses outside noise using built-in microphones and sends an equal-but-opposite cancelling signal to the headset. By producing this countersignal, your headphones block a large part of external sound sources. However, it’s important to remember the following:
For further information, read the following article.
You can check the specifications of your device on the model support page to confirm if your TV and Bluetooth® headphones, speakers, or soundbar support A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile).
If none of the above work, you may need to reset your headphones or restore factory settings. For more information, click the link below.
You’ll find more information about these points in the link below, along with further tips.
Sound can only travel if there is a medium to transport it, such as air, water, glass, or metal. If you stand in an empty room with a speaker playing music, you will hear the music. However, if the air from this room is removed, the speaker will still function, but you won’t hear any sound as there’s no medium to transport the sound waves.
You may hear external sound when using Noise Cancelling due to:
Read the article to learn how to improve noise cancellation.
Find out everything you need to know about the LinkBuds S.
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