Beats Solo 4 Controls: Buttons & Mic Guide

This guide explains every button and control on the Beats Solo 4 headphones, including the built-in microphone. You’ll learn what each button does, how to take calls, control music, activate voice assistant, and how to use the mic for calls and recordings. No prior setup is needed beyond pairing the headphones with your device.

What You’ll Need

Beats Solo 4 headphones (charged)
A paired device: iPhone, Android phone, Mac, PC, or tablet
For voice assistant: Siri or Google Assistant enabled on your device

Step-by-Step

Locate the controls. The Beats Solo 4 have a single multi-function button on the left earcup (the “b” button) and a volume rocker above and below it. The microphone is a small pinhole on the left earcup, near the bottom.
Power on/off. Press and hold the b button for 1 second to turn on. To turn off, press and hold for 3 seconds. You’ll hear a chime and see the LED on the right earcup glow.
Play/pause audio. Press the b button once to play or pause music, podcasts, or videos.
Skip tracks. Press the b button twice quickly to skip to the next track. Press three times to go to the previous track.
Answer/end calls. When a call comes in, press the b button once to answer. Press again to end the call. To decline an incoming call, press and hold the b button for 1 second.
Use the microphone during calls. The mic is always active during calls; just speak normally. The Solo 4 uses beam-forming mics to focus on your voice and reduce background noise.
Activate voice assistant. Press and hold the b button for 1 second until you hear a tone, then release. Siri (on Apple devices) or Google Assistant (on Android) will listen. Say your command. To cancel, press the b button once.
Adjust volume. Press the top of the rocker (marked with +) to increase volume, and the bottom (−) to decrease. Each press changes volume by one step. On some devices, holding the rocker continuously adjusts volume faster.
Mute/unmute during calls. On iPhone and many Android phones, press the b button and the volume down button simultaneously to mute the mic. Press both again to unmute. (This works on most platforms, but check your device’s compatibility.)
Use the mic for recordings. The Solo 4 can be used as a wireless microphone for voice memos, video recordings, or apps like Zoom. Select “Beats Solo 4” as the audio input in your app’s settings. The mic will pick up your voice clearly within about 1–2 meters.

Common Mistakes

Confusing press-and-hold for voice assistant vs. power. Pressing and holding the b button for 3 seconds turns the headphones off, not the assistant. For assistant, hold for only 1 second.
Pressing the volume rocker when you meant to press the b button. The rocker is below the b button; make sure your thumb is centered.
Expecting the mic to work when the headphones are off. The mic only works when the headphones are powered on and connected.
Using the mic too far away. The Solo 4 mic is designed for near-field use (within a few feet). If you’re recording a video from across a room, the audio will be faint.
Forgetting to select the correct input. On some apps, you need to manually choose “Beats Solo 4” as the microphone input, otherwise the app uses your device’s built-in mic.

Tips

Customize the controls (iOS only). On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the “i” next to Beats Solo 4, then choose what the b button does for “Press-and-Hold” (Siri or Noise Control). You can also set the triple-press to skip backward.
Check the LED for battery. When you press the b button to turn on, the LED on the right earcup flashes: white (high battery), red (low), or red flashing (critical).
Use the mic for gaming. The Solo 4 works as a headset on consoles via the included 3.5mm cable (if you have the wired version) or via Bluetooth on PC. Make sure to set it as the default communication device.
Keep the mic clear. The mic pinhole is on the left earcup; avoid covering it with your hand or hair during calls.
Update firmware. Use the Beats app (iOS) or Beats Updater (Android) to ensure the headphones have the latest firmware, which can improve mic performance and control reliability.

Troubleshooting

Controls not responding. Make sure the headphones are charged and powered on. If they’re in low-power mode (LED red), charge them for at least 5 minutes. If still unresponsive, reset by holding the b button and volume down for 10 seconds until the LED flashes red and white.
Microphone not working on calls. Check that the headphones are selected as the audio device on your phone. On iPhone, go to Control Center > now playing, tap the audio output icon, and select Beats Solo 4. On Android, go to Bluetooth settings and ensure “Media audio” and “Call audio” are both enabled.
Voice assistant doesn’t activate. Ensure Siri or Google Assistant is enabled on your device. On iPhone, go to Settings > Siri & Search and turn on “Press Home for Siri” or “Press Side Button for Siri”. On Android, enable “Hey Google” or set the default assistant.
Volume rocker not working. Try adjusting volume from your device first. If the rocker still doesn’t work, reset the headphones (as above). If the issue persists, the hardware may be faulty—contact Apple Support.
Mute function not working. The simultaneous press of b + volume down may not work on all devices. As a workaround, mute from your phone’s call screen instead.
Audio cuts out during calls. Move closer to your phone or remove obstacles between the headphones and device. Bluetooth range is about 10 meters (30 feet). Also, disable “Low Power Mode” on the headphones if it’s on, as it can reduce mic quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Beats Solo 4 mic with my PC?

Yes, you can use the Solo 4 as a headset with a PC via Bluetooth or the included 3.5mm audio cable (if you have the wired version). When using the cable, the mic works too, but you must have a TRRS (4-pole) jack on your PC.

Does the Solo 4 have active noise cancellation?

No, the Beats Solo 4 do not have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). They are designed for clear sound and calls, but they don’t block background noise electronically. The mic still does a good job of reducing background noise for your voice.

How do I check the battery level?

On iPhone, open the Beats app or check the battery widget. On Android, use the Beats app. You can also press the b button to turn on and look at the LED: white means high, red means low.

Can I use the voice assistant to read my messages?

Yes, you can use Siri or Google Assistant to read and reply to messages. Press and hold the b button for 1 second, then say “Read my messages” or similar. The assistant will use the headphones’ mic and speaker.

Why does my mic sound muffled on calls?

The mic pinhole might be blocked by debris or your hair. Check that the pinhole is clear. Also, make sure the headphones are positioned correctly—the left earcup should be on your left ear. If the problem persists, try resetting the headphones.

Can I use the Solo 4 mic for gaming on PlayStation or Xbox?

On PlayStation 4/5, you can connect via Bluetooth (PS5 supports Bluetooth audio) or via the 3.5mm cable to the controller. The mic will work. On Xbox, Bluetooth is not supported for audio, so you must use the 3.5mm cable to the controller.

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