Set up and use your Pixel USB-C earbuds

You can listen to media, such as music, videos, audiobooks and podcasts, using your Pixel USB-C digital earbuds. If you’re using a phone or other device, you can also press a button to get help from your Google Assistant.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

The Pixel battery continuously learns your behaviours and optimises itself based on your most recent app usage. When you set up a new device or after a factory reset, optimisation may take up to a few weeks to take full effect. For best results keep Adaptive Battery and Battery Optimisation on.

It's normal for your Pixel battery to drain a little more than usual after a software update. This is because the phone is working hard to download and optimise the new software and get everything up and running.

If you still experience unusual battery drain after a few days, please let us know and we'll be happy to help.

Before you use your earbuds

Your Pixel USB-C earbuds work with many devices, including phones. If you’re using the earbuds with another device:

Make sure that the device has a USB-C port.
Make sure that the device uses USB-C digital audio. To find out, check the device’s tech specs or contact the manufacturer.
Check the device’s sound settings. On some devices, you’ll need to turn on audio through your USB-C port. Some devices also won’t let you take calls using your earbuds.
If you’re using a phone, make sure that it’s using the latest version of Android. Find out how to update your Android version.

Adjust the fit

You can change the shape of your earbuds to fit your ear better. To adjust, gently pull the cable directly above or below each earbud.

See how to fit your earbuds to your ear

Adjust the fit of your Pixel USB-C earbuds

Change volume or play media

Your earbuds have a control bar on the cable. When you’re wearing your earbuds and listening to something, use these controls to:

Turn volume up: Press top part of control bar.
Turn volume down: Press bottom part of control bar.
Play or pause: Press the centre button.
Skip to next song or fast forward: Press the centre button twice.
Restart song or go back: Press the centre button three times.

Get help from your Google Assistant

Important: You can make these requests on phones using Android version 9.0 and up. Find out how to check and update your Android version.

Set up your Google Assistant

Plug your Pixel USB-C earbuds into your phone.
Start setup:
- If you see a notification that says 'Pixel USB-C earbuds connected', tap Finish setup.
- If you don’t see a notification, press and hold Home . Then tap Finish headphones setup.
Follow the steps on the screen.

Ask your Google Assistant for help or info

Press and hold the centre button on the control bar.
Ask a question or make a request. For example, say 'What’s the weather like' or 'Tell me a joke'.
Lift your finger.
You’ll hear a chime, then the answer to your question. You won’t see any new info on your device’s screen.

Tip: You can ask Google Assistant to read your notifications, translate what you say, and more. Find out what you can ask the Assistant.

Hear notifications and translate what you speak

Hear the time and your recent notifications

To hear the time and your recent notifications read aloud, press and hold the top part of the control bar for a few seconds.

If you don’t hear your notifications when you press and hold:

On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings".
Tap Devices Pixel USB-C earbuds.
Optional: To hear info even when your screen is locked, turn on Allow responses while phone is locked.
Tap Turn on Notification access Google.
Turn on Allow notification access.
- Optional: Select other apps that you’d like to hear notifications from.

Translate a bilingual conversation

Important: Before you plug in your headphones, make sure that your phone’s volume is turned up.

Step 1: Open Google Translate

If you haven’t yet, download and open the Google Translate app. Follow any setup steps that show.
Say "Ok Google", or touch and hold Home .
Ask your Google Assistant to translate what you say into another language. For example, say "Help me speak Spanish". The Google Translate app will open.

Step 2: Speak to someone in a different language

Press and hold the centre button on your earbuds’ control bar.
Speak in the language listed above the headphones icon .
When you’ve finished speaking, let go of the centre button.
You’ll hear the translation play aloud from your phone’s speakers so that the other person can hear it.

Step 3: Hear their response

Touch and hold 'Speak' .
When you hear a chime, get the other person to speak in the language listed above the microphone .
When they’ve finished speaking, lift your finger.
You’ll hear the translation in your earbuds.

Tip: If you don’t hear the translation, turn up the volume. You might need to unplug your earbuds, then turn up the volume.

Stop hearing your Google Assistant in your earbuds

On your Android phone or tablet, say "Hey Google, open Assistant settings".
Tap Devices Pixel USB-C earbuds.
Turn off Get help from Google.