How to Connect to Sony SRS X3

The Pairing button on the Sony SRS X3 speaker.

This post shows how to connect to the Sony SRS X3 portable Bluetooth speaker from typical Bluetooth devices. E.g. Like the iPhone and the iPad line of Apple phones, media players, and tablets. You can also pair this speaker with Android devices using a similar procedure.

How to Connect to Sony SRS X3

With your X3 powered OFF (power lamp is dark), run through these directions to connect to it from your source BT mobile device. We’re using an iPad Air portable for this demo.

1. Go to the Home Screen on your Source Device

Firstly, press the Home button to put up the smart device’s Home screen.

2. Find the Settings App

We found ours on the second page of the Home screen, as we see next.

iOS Home Screen with the Settings app highlighted

3. Bring up the Settings App

Thirdly, touch the Settings app icon.

The smart device then shows the first page of its settings, as we describe in the next step.

4. Go to the Bluetooth Settings Page to Continue with How to Connect to Sony SRS X3

Our Bluetooth Settings screen displays as follows. Note that our Bluetooth is ON here. But since our SRS X3 is currently shut OFF (is not in Bluetooth discovery mode), it does not show up in the Bluetooth devices list. Also, we don’t see it since we’ve never connected to this speaker with this test mobile device before.

iPadOS -Bluetooth Settings- page showing nothing discovered

5. Turn On your Sony SRS X3

Turn on the X3 by quickly pressing its Power button. See this, pointed at by the green arrow, in the next picture. It’s the last button on the right in the back row of buttons on the top of the speaker.

The Power button on the Sony SRS X3.

The speaker then boots, and its Power lamp glows green.

The green glowing Power light on the Sony SRS X3.

But since our iPad does not know about this speaker, it will not connect to the X3 automatically.

6. Put the X`3 into Discovery Mode

Now, to see your Sony SRS X3 speaker on your device, place it into Bluetooth discovery / pairing mode. To do that, press and hold the Power-Pairing button. Release the button when the speaker makes two high beep sounds, and the Pairing lamp starts fast flashing white.

The Pairing light on the Sony SRS X3 flashing white.

Usually takes a second or two to enter pairing mode.

7. Find the Speaker on your Mobile Device to Continue with How to Connect to the Sony SRS X3

See the screen shot next. We found the test speaker, as pointed at by the green arrow.

The X3 showing as discovered on iPadOS.

8. Pair with your Speaker

Tap the listed speaker in the discovered devices list.

Your mobile device then connects to the X3.

E.g. The the mobile device’s Bluetooth Settings screen might then change to look something like the following. Note the now-connected SRS X3 entry, as pointed at by the green arrows in the next screenshot.

The Sony SRS X3 showing as Connected on iPadOS.