Embodiments for device pairing using optical codes are described. One embodiment is a wearable device with an image sensor configured to capture an image including a first optical code from a first host device. The wearable device decodes the first optical code, and in response to the first optical code, initiates broadcast of a pairing advertisement. The host device displays a second optical code in response to the pairing advertisement, and the wearable device captures and processes the second optical code to determine a host pairing advertisement code. The wearable device then, in response to the second optical code, initiate broadcast of a second pairing advertisement including the host pairing advertisement code. In various embodiments, a secure wireless channel is then established and used for further secure communications.