How to Use Bluetooth Swift Pair on Windows 10

Bluetooth Swift Pair on Windows 10 lets you pair a supported accessory from a notification instead of searching for it in Settings. Turn on the Swift Pair notification option, put the accessory into discoverable pairing mode, and select Connect when Windows finds it. The feature only works when both the PC’s Bluetooth hardware and the accessory support Swift Pair; other Bluetooth devices can still be paired through the regular Settings flow.

What you need before pairing

Swift Pair arrived in Windows 10 version 1803. It detects compatible peripherals through Bluetooth Low Energy signals, so having Bluetooth alone does not guarantee that the feature is available. The accessory must advertise Swift Pair while it is nearby and discoverable, and the PC’s Bluetooth radio must support the required capability. Microsoft’s Swift Pair documentation explains the hardware and peripheral requirements.

• A Windows 10 PC with Bluetooth turned on.
• A Swift Pair-compatible mouse, keyboard, headset, or other Bluetooth accessory.
• The accessory’s instructions for entering pairing mode. The steps vary by model.

If the Swift Pair switch is missing from Settings, the PC’s Bluetooth radio may not support it, or a policy on a managed computer may control the feature. You can still try standard Bluetooth pairing.

How to use Bluetooth Swift Pair

1. Turn on Bluetooth and Swift Pair notifications

Open Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices. Switch Bluetooth to On. Find Show notifications to connect using Swift Pair and turn it on. Keep this page open while you set up the accessory if you want to check its connection afterward.

2. Put the accessory into pairing mode

Use the manufacturer’s instructions to make the accessory discoverable. A power button may not be enough: some devices enter pairing mode only after you hold a dedicated pairing button or choose a pairing option. Keep the accessory close to the PC, and disconnect it from another nearby computer or phone if it keeps reconnecting there. Windows can only show the Swift Pair prompt while the compatible device is nearby and advertising in pairing mode.

3. Accept the Swift Pair prompt

If this is the first time you are using Swift Pair, Windows may ask whether to allow notifications and use the feature. Choose Yes. When Windows shows a notification for the accessory, check that its name or device type is the one you intend to pair, then select Connect. Follow any additional on-screen instructions, such as entering a PIN, if Windows or the accessory requests them.

4. Confirm that Windows connected

After the pairing completes, select Close if Windows offers that button. In Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, check the device list for the accessory and its status. Test the mouse, keyboard, or audio device in an app. A device that is already paired may reconnect when it is powered on and in range, but follow its manual if it has a separate power, multipoint, or connection control.

If the Swift Pair notification does not appear

1. Check compatibility. The accessory must support Microsoft Swift Pair; a standard Bluetooth device may not trigger a Swift Pair notification.
2. Re-enter pairing mode. Follow the device manual, keep it near the PC, and make sure it is not already connected to another host.
3. Check both switches. Confirm Bluetooth and Show notifications to connect using Swift Pair are on. In Windows 10, also review Settings > System > Notifications & actions if notifications are disabled or suppressed.
4. Check for a missing setting. If the Swift Pair option is absent, the PC’s Bluetooth radio may lack the needed support. On a work or school PC, an administrator may also manage proximity-pairing settings.
5. Refresh Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth off and back on, then try pairing mode again. If the PC still cannot discover devices, check for Bluetooth driver updates from the computer or adapter manufacturer.

A Swift Pair notification is a shortcut, not the only way to pair. If the accessory is discoverable but no prompt appears, use the manual method below.

Pair a device without Swift Pair

In Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, select Add Bluetooth or other device, choose Bluetooth, and select the accessory when it appears. Complete any pairing prompts and choose Done. This standard route works for Bluetooth devices that do not support Swift Pair as well as compatible devices whose notification did not show. Microsoft’s Bluetooth pairing instructions cover both methods.

Windows 10 support status

Bluetooth pairing steps can still be used on a working Windows 10 PC, but Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Microsoft no longer provides standard free software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes for the operating system after that date. See the Windows 10 end-of-support notice and plan a move to a supported system if you continue using the PC online.