--- title: "Sony Headphones Connected but Not Detected" description: "Music plays, but Open Sound Connect can't find your Sony headphones? Check Bluetooth access, the control connection and the model, then try again." url: https://opensoundconnect.app/support/headphones-not-detected language: en --- # Connected, but not in the app Your Mac plays through the headphones, but Open Sound Connect doesn't show them. Here's why that happens and how to fix it. Applies to: [MDR-1000X](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/mdr-1000x), [WH-1000XM2](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm2), [WH-1000XM3](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm3), [WH-1000XM4](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm4), [WH-1000XM5](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm5), [WH-1000XM6](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xm6), [WH-1000XX](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones/wh-1000xx) · Updated 2026-11-03 ## Short answer Your Mac's audio and Open Sound Connect's controls use two separate Bluetooth connections, so one can work without the other. In order: 1. Turn on Open Sound Connect under **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth**. 2. Make sure the headphones are one of the [seven supported models](https://opensoundconnect.app/headphones) and show as connected in **System Settings → Bluetooth**. 3. Choose **Connect** in the app (⌘K), or **Try Again** if it says it couldn't reach them. ## Why audio can work while the app sees nothing When you pair Sony headphones, macOS connects them as an audio device: music, video and calls go to them. Open Sound Connect then opens a second, separate channel to the headphones' own control service, the one Sony's phone app uses to read and change settings. That channel needs two things the audio doesn't: - **Bluetooth access for the app.** macOS asks once. If you chose **Don't Allow**, audio keeps working, but the app can't talk to the headphones. - **Headphones that publish Sony's control service.** The MDR-1000X, WH-1000XM2, WH-1000XM3, WH-1000XM4, WH-1000XM5, WH-1000XM6 and WH-1000XX all do. [How Sony headphone control works on a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/how-sony-headphone-control-works-mac) explains the two connections in more detail. ## What the app's message means When the headphones aren't ready, the app's window says why. Each message points to a different fix: | The app says | What to do | | --- | --- | | **Allow Bluetooth** | Choose **Allow** in the macOS prompt. | | **Bluetooth Access Is Off** | Choose **Open Privacy Settings** and turn on Open Sound Connect. See [Allow Bluetooth access](https://opensoundconnect.app/support/bluetooth-permission). | | **Bluetooth Is Off** | Choose **Open Bluetooth Settings** and turn Bluetooth on. | | **No Sony Headphones Paired** | Pair them in **System Settings → Bluetooth** first: [how to connect Sony headphones to a Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/connect-sony-headphones-to-mac). | | Your headphones' name and **Isn't Connected** | They're paired but connected elsewhere, or off. Turn them on or connect them to this Mac; the app connects by itself. | | **Couldn't Reach** and your headphones' name | Keep them on and close to the Mac, then choose **Try Again**. | ## Fix it step by step 1. **Check the permission.** Open **System Settings → Privacy & Security → Bluetooth** and make sure Open Sound Connect is switched on. Then quit and reopen the app. 2. **Check the audio connection.** In **System Settings → Bluetooth**, your headphones should say **Connected**. If they're connected to your phone or another computer instead, connect them to the Mac from that list or from the Bluetooth menu in Control Center. 3. **Connect the controls.** Choose **Connect** in the app or press ⌘K. The app also connects by itself whenever your headphones connect to the Mac. 4. **Try again close by.** If the app says it couldn't reach them, keep the headphones switched on and next to the Mac and choose **Try Again**. 5. **Run one copy of the app.** Two copies of Open Sound Connect (for example an old one left in Downloads) compete for the same control channel. Quit both and open the one in Applications. 6. **Reconnect the headphones.** Disconnect them in **System Settings → Bluetooth**, connect them again, and wait a few seconds for the app. 7. **Pair them again.** If nothing else works, choose **Forget This Device** for the headphones in **System Settings → Bluetooth**, put them in pairing mode and pair them again. The [pairing guide](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/connect-sony-headphones-to-mac) has the steps for each model. ## More than one pair of Sony headphones If several Sony headphones are paired with your Mac, the app lists them and lets you pick the one to control. It remembers the last pair you used and reconnects to it next time. ## Still not showing up Open the **Activity** page (⌘7). It lists what your headphones reported, every message the app sent and received, and any error, such as a timeout. Choose **Export…** to save it, and include it when you [report an issue on GitHub](https://github.com/rolottr/open-sound-connect/issues). If your headphones aren't one of the seven 1000X models, they may still play audio on the Mac, but Open Sound Connect doesn't support controlling them. ## Common questions ### Do I need to pair the headphones inside Open Sound Connect? No. Pair them once in **System Settings → Bluetooth**. Open Sound Connect uses that pairing and opens its control connection on top of it. ### Does Disconnect Controls disconnect my audio? No. **Disconnect Controls** (⇧⌘K) closes only Open Sound Connect's control channel. The headphones stay connected to the Mac and keep playing. ### Why does the app say my headphones aren't connected when they're on? They're probably connected to another device, such as your phone. Connect them to the Mac in **System Settings → Bluetooth** and the app picks them up by itself. ## Where to next - [Allow Bluetooth access](https://opensoundconnect.app/support/bluetooth-permission): The one macOS permission the app needs, how to turn it back on, and how to reset it. - [Sony headphones not connecting to Mac](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/sony-headphones-not-connecting-mac): Pairing mode, a competing device, a stale pairing, the Mac's Bluetooth and resetting each model, in order. - [How headphone control works](https://opensoundconnect.app/guides/how-sony-headphone-control-works-mac): The audio connection, the separate control channel, what the app sends and what stays local. --- Open Sound Connect is independent software. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sony. Sony, DSEE, DSEE Extreme and LDAC are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliates. Apple, Mac, macOS, Finder, Safari, Xcode and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. The Bluetooth® word mark is owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Other names are trademarks of their respective owners.