The most common question is ”Can you use a Bose speaker or soundbar without a remote?”
Yes, you can definitely use the soundbar without a remote but for that, you have to install the Bose Music app and enable the features: Auto Wake and Power Sync.
Alternatively, you can also use a universal remote or your mobile to change the settings and functions. So, let’s get to a detailed step-by-step process on how to turn on the Bose soundbar without a remote.
In This Article:
Method 1: Enable the Auto Wake feature
If you are trying to use the Bose soundbar hands-free, then you can use the feature called Auto Wake. This will help to turn on the Bose speakers whenever you power on the TV, along with the cable box. Also, the speaker will turn off automatically, if the TV or the cable box is kept idle for 20 minutes. This is indeed an energy-saving technique and can reduce your electricity bill as well.
Here are the steps that you need to follow
Process 1: Using the Bose Music app
Install the Bose music app on your phone from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Set up the Bose soundbar and ensure that the speaker as well as the phone is connected through the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 1
Plug the soundbar into the power cord and launch the Bose music application on your phone. If you haven’t used the application previously, then sign up, otherwise, log in with your Boss Music account and grant permission when prompted.
Step 2
You need to allow the application to access your Bluetooth and network. So, click on the Speakers and Soundbar tab and tap on Add Product. You need to navigate to the device by swiping left and right. Finally, look for the Wi-Fi network, select it, type the password, and click Connect. You have to create a custom name for the soundbar and tap on Next.
Step 3
Confirm whether you want other Bose accounts to use your device or not and plug in one end of the HDMI cable to the Bose soundbar. Connect the other end of the cable to the TV and this will allow you to transmit audio to your Bose device from the TV. You can either choose to set up the soundbar or click on “Do it later” and skip.
Step 4
As a final step, you have to click on Get Started and go back to the homepage of the app. Now, tap on the Bose soundbar that is already connected and select Settings. Under the Power tab click on Optical Auto Wake and enable the Auto Wake feature through the toggle switch.
Step 5
You are done when your Bose soundbar is connected to the TV and also the Auto Wake feature is enabled. So, whenever you turn on the TV, the speaker will also turn on automatically without the use of a remote.
Process 2: Using the Bose remote
If the Bose remote is still functioning, then you can use it to enable the Auto Wake feature and after you have enabled the feature, you no longer need the remote to power on the soundbar.
Take your Bose remote and press and hold down the Power button. Continue for 5 seconds and then wait till you hear a beep sound. This indicates that the Auto Wake feature has been turned on. You will also find that the light on the soundbar blinks thrice, which is a clear indication that the process is successful.
Method 2: Use the mobile as a remote
If you have the latest Smart TV, then you can use your mobile phone to operate it and control and change the contents. You can also monitor the volume of the TV. In the same way, you can control the Bose soundbar with the “ControlSpace Remote Custom”.
Here are the steps that you need to follow:
- Download the application on your phone and grant the necessary permission that would pop up on the screen.
- After the step-up is done, you can control the soundbar with a range of 12m.
- With this application, you can control volume, parameter set, source selection, PSTN and VoIP dialers, volume, and conference room router.
Method 3: Using Universal remote
If your Bose remote stops working, then you can use a universal remote. If you are using an iOS device, then pair the remote with the speaker via Bose Music app. Press down the Volume Down and Left arrow buttons for 5 seconds. The TV, Power, and Source Power icons will appear on the remote, and wait till they blink thrice. Get to Settings and under the Universal Remote section, tap on the option Advanced. Next, click on Pair New Remote and re-insert the batteries of the remote control. You have to give it some time till the app is able to detect the remote and pair it. Finally, click on Continue and the setup is done.
For Android users, you have to download the app but the combination of buttons might differ, reset the steps that are described for iPhone users.
Method 4: Turn on Power Sync
You can also turn on the Power Sync option to turn on the Bose Speaker without using the remote, which is quite similar to the Auto Wake feature. However, before you continue, you need to pair the universal remote with the Bose soundbar. Thus, when you turn off the TV, the Bose soundbar will turn off automatically.
Here are the steps that you need to follow:
- Download and install the Bose Music app on your phone. Launch the app and click on Settings.
- Now, scroll down to the Power section and select Power Sync.
- Enable the feature by clicking the toggle on the switch. If the option to sync Bose speakers with certain devices appears, then choose accordingly.
- Finally, click on Sync Source or Sync TV and turn on and off the satellite box, this would ensure that the Bose soundbar is synced with the TV successfully.
How to Update the Bose Speaker/ Soundbar Firmware?
By using your computer, you can install the latest firmware of the Bose soundbar. Install the update file list and go to the Bose Updater page. Enter the necessary details and click on Download to save the updater file. Finally, run the Bose Updater film and wait for the installation to complete. Next, plug the USB cable into the Bose device and connect the computer to it. Launch the Bose Updater application and click and install the updates that appear on the screen. Give it some time, till the installations are complete, and then unplug the Bose speaker from the computer.
How to update the Bose soundbar firmware using the Bose Connect app?
Irrespective of the device you are using, for Android and iOS users, on the screen a pop-up will appear and allow the permissions. Otherwise, you can go to Settings, select Apps, and click on the Bose Connect app. Next, tap on “Allow Bose Music to Access” and select “Bluetooth”. Finally, connect the Bose speaker to the phone and for that go to the Bluetooth settings of your phone. Scan the visible devices and select the Bose speaker that you want to pair. Next, to install the update, click on the Download button and tap on Update. allow the device to install the updates and within minutes the Bose soundbar will get the latest update.
