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Stream your Cochlear implant sound processor to an Android phone

Quick answer: Nucleus 8, Nucleus 7, Kanso 2, Kanso 3, Osia 3, Baha 7 and Baha 6 Max can stream straight to many Android phones running Android 14 or later, with no extra accessory. Osia 2 can’t: on Android it needs the Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip, an extra accessory, even though it streams directly from an iPhone. Check your exact phone on Cochlear’s compatibility tool, then set up streaming in the Nucleus Smart App or Osia Smart App.

Last checked: 2026-10-30. Steps come from the official support pages listed at the bottom.

Which processors stream straight to Android

Sound processorStreams straight to a compatible Android phone?App and good to know
Nucleus 8 (and Nucleus 8 Nexa)Yes. Android 14 or later.Nucleus Smart App (Android 12 or later). Can be paired with up to five compatible devices but connects to one at a time.
Kanso 3 (and Kanso 3 Nexa)Yes. Android 14 or later.Nucleus Smart App (Android 12 or later).
Nucleus 7Yes. Android 14 or later.Nucleus Smart App (Android 12 or later).
Kanso 2Yes. Android 14 or later.Nucleus Smart App (Android 12 or later).
Osia 3Yes. Android 14 or later. Bluetooth LE Audio streaming needs Android 15 or later and a phone that supports it.Osia Smart App (Android 12 or later).
Osia 2No. Cochlear’s tool lists direct streaming as not compatible with Android phones.Use the Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip (an extra accessory). The Osia Smart App still works on Android for volume, programs and battery.
Baha 7Yes. Android 14 or later. LE Audio and Auracast need Android 15 or later.Check the compatibility tool for your exact phone.
Baha 6 MaxYes. Android 14 or later.Check the compatibility tool for your exact phone.

From Cochlear’s compatibility tool, checked 2026-10-30 with a Samsung Galaxy S24. Results differ by phone model. Cochlear marks some phones confirmed and others should be compatible (expected to work but not fully tested, so try before you buy). If your phone isn’t listed, Cochlear hasn’t tested it. It may still work, but Cochlear can’t promise it.

Pair a Nucleus or Kanso processor (Nucleus Smart App)

  1. Check your phone first. Go to Cochlear’s compatibility tool, pick your sound processor, then Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy, then your model. Direct streaming needs Android 14 or later. The Nucleus Smart App itself needs Android 12 or later.
  2. Ask your clinic if your sound processor has the latest firmware. Cochlear says the Android app needs it, and your clinic must have programmed your processor first.
  3. Turn on Bluetooth in your phone’s Settings.
  4. Install the free Nucleus Smart app from Google Play and open it. Swipe through the welcome screens, then tap Login or Create Account.
  5. Choose your account type, tap Start set up and pick your sound processor type.
  6. Restart your sound processor when the app asks. Behind-the-ear (Nucleus 8, Nucleus 7): take the battery off, then put it back on. Off-the-ear (Kanso 2, Kanso 3): tap it three times to turn it off, then two times to turn it on. Tap Continue.
  7. Pick your sound processor from the list. Pairing can take up to 30 seconds. Two processors? Pair both at the same time.
  8. When the Audio streaming screen shows, tap Enable. Your processor turns off for a few moments. If the app asks you to Forget other processors already paired to the phone, follow its prompts.
  9. If a System sounds screen appears, follow the prompts to turn those sounds off, then go back to the app.
  10. At Setup complete!, tap Start using the app. You only pair once. After that, your processor reconnects to the phone whenever it turns on.

Pair an Osia processor (Osia Smart App)

  1. Turn on Bluetooth. Install the free Osia Smart App from Google Play and open it.
  2. Read the welcome screen and tap Confirm and Proceed. On Android, the app walks you through pairing as part of setup. Follow the on-screen steps.
  3. When asked, allow Location (helps find a lost processor) and Notifications (battery and connection warnings).
  4. Log in with your Cochlear Account or create one. If you skip this, you can still change volume and programs.
  5. Osia 3: the Streaming Hub on the app’s home screen shows and controls streaming from your phone and wireless devices.

Cochlear’s Osia app is for Osia 2 and Osia 3. Only the Osia 3 streams straight from Android.

Osia 2 or an older phone? Use the Phone Clip

Cochlear says Android users can stream to the Osia 2 with its True Wireless Phone Clip. The Phone Clip also works with Nucleus 8, Nucleus 7, Kanso 2, Kanso 3, Baha 6 Max and Baha 5, so it’s an option if your phone isn’t compatible. Cochlear doesn’t list it for the Osia 3. Here are Cochlear’s steps:

  1. Charge the Phone Clip first. Cochlear says to charge it for at least three hours before first use.
  2. Connect it to your sound processor: turn your processor off, slide the Phone Clip’s switch on, take off the silver cap and press the white pairing button with the tip of a pen. Then turn your processor back on. A short melody means it worked.
  3. Connect it to your phone: press the blue pairing button with a pen tip. On your phone, open Bluetooth settings and search for new devices.
  4. Tap Hearing Aid Phone in the list. If the phone asks for a code, enter 0000. If it asks which service to use, choose Headset.
  5. Calls and audio from your Android phone now go to your processor through the clip. The clip’s buttons also change volume and programs.

Frustrated that your Osia 2 streams from an iPhone but not Android? That’s how Cochlear designed it. Direct Android streaming came with the Osia 3. Ask your Osia clinic what upgrade options and coverage you have.

Where Android’s own hearing device menu fits in

Cochlear sets up Android streaming from inside its app (the Enable step above), so start there. Google’s own menu for hearing devices is Settings › Accessibility › Hearing devices. Google says it works best with ASHA hearing devices and that some steps need Android 14 or later. From Android’s Quick Settings you can also check whether your hearing devices are connected.

Cochlear also says Android has no built-in controls for its processors, so you need the Cochlear app to change volume or programs from your phone.

Wondering how other hearing aids and implants connect to Android? See Will my hearing aids work with Android?

If it won’t stream or connect

Wear a ReSound hearing aid on the other ear?

The Nucleus Smart App can control a compatible ReSound hearing aid and your sound processor together (bimodal). Pair the sound processor first, then the hearing aid, and your clinic must link them in its fitting software first. See our ReSound guide for the hearing aid side.

Common questions

Does the Osia 2 stream directly to Android phones?

No. Cochlear's compatibility tool lists Osia 2 direct streaming as not compatible with Android phones. Cochlear says Android users can stream to the Osia 2 with its Wireless Phone Clip, an extra accessory. iPhone users can stream directly with no attachments.

Does the Osia 3 work with Android?

Yes. Cochlear says the Osia 3 streams directly from compatible Android and Apple devices. Its compatibility tool lists Android 14 or later for direct streaming and Android 15 or later for Bluetooth LE Audio streaming.

Which Android version do I need for Nucleus 8?

Cochlear's compatibility tool lists Android 14 or later for direct streaming to the Nucleus 8, and Android 12 or later for the Nucleus Smart App.

Why won't my Android phone stream through the Nucleus Smart App?

Cochlear says streaming (ASHA) is handled by Android itself, not the app. You need a compatible phone on a recent Android version, with Audio streaming turned on in the app's Settings. Without a compatible phone, use the Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip.

My phone isn't on Cochlear's list. Will it work?

Maybe. Cochlear says untested phones may work if they meet its Bluetooth and Android requirements, but it can't promise it. Contact Cochlear or your clinic before you buy a phone.

Who can help me set this up?

Your cochlear implant audiologist or clinic, or Cochlear customer service. Your clinic can also check your processor's firmware and settings.

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