Skullcandy Smokin' Buds True Wireless

Initial Setup & Pairing Support

Quick Start: First Time Pairing Out of the Box

To pair your device for the first time, remove the stickers covering the charging points on both earbuds. Place them into the charging case, ensure both LEDs show red, then remove both earbuds from the case.

A tone will indicate your earbuds have powered on, and a voice prompt will say “Ready to Pair” as the earbud LEDs begin to pulse red/blue. Both buds are now in pairing mode.

Open your device's Bluetooth settings and look for “Smokin' Buds” in your list of available Bluetooth devices. Select “Smokin' Buds” and accept the “Pair” or “OK” prompt on your screen. When pairing is complete, a voice prompt will say “connected.”

Pair to a 2nd Device (After 1st Time Pairing, While Earbuds are Powered On and in a Disconnected or Connected State)

Enter into Pairing Mode by simply pressing the touch sensor on either bud for 3 seconds. Release when you hear the voice prompt “Disconnected” and then you'll hear “Ready to Pair”.

User Controls

Smokin' Buds media controls are ready to keep you connected and in control of your Bluetooth-enabled device. A feedback tone feature allows the user to hear each time the capacitive touch sensor on the earbud (located on the Skullcandy Logo) is tapped. Tapping more than once in sequence will produce ascending tones for better media control. These tones are subtle and do not disrupt listening.

Auto Power On & Power Off

Remove your earbuds from the case to power them on. You will hear a “ping” tone, and the LEDs will turn blue for 2 seconds.

When your earbuds are placed correctly into the charge case, they will power off as long as the case battery is charged. The LEDs will show solid RED to indicate they are powered off and charging.

If your earbuds have a full charge when placed back into the charge case, the LEDs will flash red to indicate they've powered off, then show blue for 5 seconds.

PRO TIP: If earbuds are not automatically powering OFF or charging when placed into the case, or powering ON when removed, ensure the case battery isn't completely drained. If the case battery is dead, the earbuds will not register being placed in or removed from the case, and will not power off or charge automatically. Charge the case.

Manually Power On: Either Earbud

Press and hold the touch sensor on both earbuds for 1 second.

Manually Power Off: Either Earbud

Tap the touch sensor on either or both earbuds twice, then press and hold for one second (2x tap, then 1 second hold).

Play/Pause: Either Earbud

To play or pause your audio, tap the touch sensor on either earbud once (1x tap).

Answer/Hang Up Call: Either Earbud

To take or end a call, tap the touch sensor on either earbud once (1x tap).

Reject Incoming Call: Either Earbud

To reject an incoming call, press the touch sensor on either bud for 1 second (1 second hold).

Volume Up: Either Earbud

To turn up the volume, double tap the touch sensor on either earbud (2x tap).

Volume Down: Either Earbud

To turn down the volume, triple tap the touch sensor on either earbud (3x tap).

Activate Assistant: Either Earbud

To activate your device's native assistant, press and hold the touch sensor on either earbud for 1 second (1 second hold).

EQ Mode Toggle: Either Earbud

To toggle between EQ Modes, quadruple tap the touch sensor on either earbud (4x press).

Bluetooth Pairing: Either Earbud

To enter into Pairing Mode on your device, press and hold the touch sensor on either earbud for 3 seconds (3 second hold).

Preset EQ Modes

Smokin' Buds features 3 preset EQ modes for optimal sound quality:

• Music Mode (default)
• Podcast Mode
• Movie Mode

To switch between EQ modes, tap the touch sensor on either earbud 4 times. Your default EQ setting is “Music Mode”. Podcast Mode reduces bass for podcasts or audiobooks. Movie Mode enhances dialogue and detail for an immersive experience.

Charging

Earbuds Charging

To charge your earbuds, place them in the charging case. The LEDs will turn solid red for 5 seconds to indicate charging. You can close the case lid at any time.

If the LEDs show BLUE for 5 seconds when placed back into the case, your earbuds still have a full charge.

Rapid Charge: 10 minutes of charging provides 2+ hours of play time.

A “Battery Low” voice prompt will occur with about 40 minutes of play time remaining, and every 10 minutes thereafter until the battery powers off. The LEDs will also show RED for 4 seconds every 10 minutes as a low battery indicator.

IMPORTANT: If earbuds are not automatically powering OFF or charging when placed into the case, or powering ON when removed, ensure the case battery isn't completely drained. If the case battery is dead, the earbuds will not register being placed in or removed from the case, and will not power off or charge automatically. Charge the case.

Case Charging

The Smokin' Buds charging case can be charged independently. Plug in the provided USB-C Rapid Charge cable and connect to a computer, wall charger, power bank, or 12-volt adapter.

A 10-minute charge of the case provides 2+ hours of battery play time.

To check the case battery life, plug in the charge cable. The single LED next to the USB-C port indicates the current case battery level:

• Solid Red = 0%-25%
• Solid Yellow = 26%-75%
• Solid Green = 76%-100%

Troubleshooting

Buds or Case Not Charging Properly?

ISSUE: Not seeing the red LED indicator on the buds when placed in the charging case, or the charge case LED not turning on when the USB-C cable is plugged in?

SOLUTION:

• Check for debris blocking charging pins on the case, earbud, or USB-C port.
• Ensure in-ear gels are not twisted or falling off, as this can prevent proper seating in the case. If the lid is hard to close, the earbuds may not be set correctly or eargels are interfering.
• Make sure the charging cable is properly inserted into a suitable power source.
• Check the battery level LED on the charging case to ensure it is holding a charge.

No Audio in One Ear?

Let's re-sync your earbuds. Place both in the charge case, ensuring both LEDs turn red. Then remove both earbuds together. If stereo audio is still not fixed, follow the instructions below.

STEP ONE: Re-sync Earbuds

1. On your device, turn Bluetooth OFF.
2. Remove both earbuds from the charge case; ensure they are powered ON.
3. Tap the touch sensor on both earbuds simultaneously 6 times. The earbud LEDs will slowly flash red/blue, followed by four quick blue flashes indicating a successful true wireless sync.
4. On your device, turn Bluetooth ON. Select your previously paired “Smokin' Buds”.
5. The LEDs on both earbuds will blink blue once, and a “Connected” voice prompt will indicate a successful pairing.

IF YOU STILL DO NOT HAVE AUDIO STREAMING IN BOTH EARBUDS, OR YOU ARE HAVING PAIRING ISSUES, PROCEED TO STEP TWO AND RESET YOUR EARBUDS.

STEP TWO: Reset Earbuds by Clearing Paired Device List

1. Remove Smokin' Buds from your Bluetooth Paired Device list settings and turn Bluetooth OFF.
2. Remove BOTH earbuds from the case. A tone will indicate they are powered ON.
3. Press and hold the touch sensor on BOTH the right and left earbuds for 6 seconds until you hear 2 tones.
4. The LED on both earbuds will flash PURPLE 5 times. A tone will indicate a successful reset, and a voice prompt will say “Ready to Pair” as your earbuds flash red/blue and enter Pairing Mode.
5. On your device, turn Bluetooth ON. In the available devices, select “Smokin' Buds” and accept the “Pair” or “OK” prompt. When pairing is complete, a voice prompt will say “connected”.

Frequently Asked Questions

Playtime / Battery Life & Charging:

Q: How long does the Smokin' Buds battery last?
A: Up to 8 hours of play time in the earbuds, and an additional 12 hours in the case, allowing 20 hours of total play time.

Q: What is the total charging time for Smokin' Buds via included USB-C charging cable?
A: 1 hour to charge the case to 100% via USB-C cable. 1 hour to charge your earbuds in the case to reach 100% capacity.

Q: Does Smokin' Buds have some sort of fast charge?
A: Yes! Smokin' Buds has Rapid Charge technology via the provided USB-C cable and internally for the earbuds. 10 minutes of earbuds charging = 2+ Hours Playtime. 10 minutes of case charging via USB-C = 2+ Hours Playtime.

Q: Can I charge Smokin' Buds with my Skullcandy power accessories/PC/laptop?
A: Yes. Most USB-A to USB-C charging cables will work to charge your Smokin' Buds charging case.

Q: How do you change between EQ settings, and what's the difference?
A: When paired, tap the touch sensor on either earbud 4 times to toggle between EQ Modes (Music, Podcast, Movie). A voice prompt will notify you of the selected mode.

Connection:

Q: Are Smokin' Buds compatible with the Skullcandy App?
A: No, Smokin' Buds are not compatible with the Skullcandy App.

Q: What is the Bluetooth range of Smokin' Buds?
A: Up to 30+ feet (10+ meters) from your paired device, though connection experience may vary based on your environment.

Q: Can I connect Smokin' Buds to a computer?
A: Yes, as well as to a phone, tablet, MP3 player, laptop, and other devices with a Bluetooth connection.

Q: Can I use Smokin' Buds with a PS4/Xbox One/Switch?
A: Xbox One: No. Switch: Yes. PS4/5: No (but they will if you have a separate Bluetooth transmitter dongle).

General:

Q: Which version of Bluetooth does Smokin' Buds use?
A: Bluetooth® version 5.2.

Q: When on a call or listening to my content, will I hear audio in one or both earbuds?
A: Smokin' Buds has stereo (both bud) calling and streaming, so you'll always hear the caller or your content in both ears. You can use only one earbud (left or right side) if you prefer Solo Mode.

Q: Can I use Siri/Google Assistant/Alexa with my Smokin' Buds?
A: Yes. Hold the touch sensor on either earbud for 1 second to activate your device's native voice assistant.

Q: Are Smokin' Buds OK to use while working out?
A: Yes! Smokin' Buds have a stable fit and are sweat and water resistant (IPX4). Ensure they are dry before placing them back into the charging case.

Warranty:

Please contact customer service before filing a claim. Skullcandy offers a 1-Year Limited Warranty for manufacturer's defects.

What happens if my earbuds break or are lost?
If it is a manufacturer's defect, Skullcandy has you covered with a 1-Year Limited Warranty.