- If you can’t connect a Bluetooth accessory to your iPhone or iPad
- Try these steps first
- If you still can’t pair or connect your Bluetooth accessory
- Learn more
- If you can’t connect a Bluetooth accessory to your iPhone or iPad
- Try these steps first
- If you still can’t pair or connect your Bluetooth accessory
- Learn more
- 5 Quick Ways to Fix iPhone Bluetooth Not Working in 2023
- Jump to:
- 5 Steps to Fix Bluetooth Not Working on iPhone
- 1. Turn Your iPhone Bluetooth Off & On Again
- 2. Disconnect the Bluetooth Device from Your iPhone
- 3. Unpair & Re-pair the Bluetooth Device to Your iPhone
- 4. Hard Restart If iPhone Bluetooth Is Still Not Connecting
- 5. Update Your iPhone’s Software
- What to Do When iPhone Bluetooth Is Unavailable
- Reset your Network Settings:
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If you can’t connect a Bluetooth accessory to your iPhone or iPad
Try these steps first
- Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory and iOS or iPadOS device are close to each other.
- Turn your Bluetooth accessory off and back on again.
- Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory is on and fully charged or connected to power. If your accessory uses batteries, see if they need to be replaced.
- If there’s an app that you use with the Bluetooth accessory, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth on your iOS or iPadOS device, and make sure that you’ve turned on Bluetooth for the app.
If you still can’t pair or connect your Bluetooth accessory
- If you previously connected your Bluetooth accessory to your iOS or iPadOS device, unpair the accessory, put it back in discovery mode, then try to pair and connect it again.
- If you can pair your accessory with some devices but not your iOS or iPadOS device, unpair the accessory from your other devices. Then try to pair with your iOS or iPadOS device again.
- To find out whether your accessory is compatible with your iOS or iPad OS device, contact the manufacturer of the accessory.
- If you still have any of these issues, contact Apple Support:
- You can’t turn on Bluetooth or the setting is grayed out.
- You can’t connect any Bluetooth accessories with your device.
- The accessory manufacturer confirmed that your accessory is working correctly.
Learn more
- If you need help pairing a Bluetooth accessory to your Apple TV, learn what to do.
- Get help connecting your iOS device and your car stereo.
- Learn how to set up your AirPods.
Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.
If you can’t connect a Bluetooth accessory to your iPhone or iPad
Try these steps first
- Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory and iOS or iPadOS device are close to each other.
- Turn your Bluetooth accessory off and back on again.
- Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory is on and fully charged or connected to power. If your accessory uses batteries, see if they need to be replaced.
- If there’s an app that you use with the Bluetooth accessory, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth on your iOS or iPadOS device, and make sure that you’ve turned on Bluetooth for the app.
If you still can’t pair or connect your Bluetooth accessory
- If you previously connected your Bluetooth accessory to your iOS or iPadOS device, unpair the accessory, put it back in discovery mode, then try to pair and connect it again.
- If you can pair your accessory with some devices but not your iOS or iPadOS device, unpair the accessory from your other devices. Then try to pair with your iOS or iPadOS device again.
- To find out whether your accessory is compatible with your iOS or iPad OS device, contact the manufacturer of the accessory.
- If you still have any of these issues, contact Apple Support:
- You can’t turn on Bluetooth or the setting is grayed out.
- You can’t connect any Bluetooth accessories with your device.
- The accessory manufacturer confirmed that your accessory is working correctly.
Learn more
- If you need help pairing a Bluetooth accessory to your Apple TV, learn what to do.
- Get help connecting your iOS device and your car stereo.
- Learn how to set up your AirPods.
Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.
5 Quick Ways to Fix iPhone Bluetooth Not Working in 2023
Bluetooth is the wireless technology behind cable-free speakers, headphones, keyboards, and other devices that make modern life so mobile. When you experience your Bluetooth not working, basic activities like listening to music or using CarPlay become inconvenient and frustrating. I’ll cover how to reset Bluetooth on iPhones with and without a Home button.
Jump to:
5 Steps to Fix Bluetooth Not Working on iPhone
If you are experiencing Bluetooth not connecting or if your Bluetooth won’t stay connected follow these steps in order. If Bluetooth is unavailable on your device, skip to the final section to learn how to reset your network settings.
1. Turn Your iPhone Bluetooth Off & On Again
Very often just turning off your iPhone Bluetooth and then restarting your phone can get your Bluetooth connection working properly again. These are the steps to follow:
If you tried this and are wondering why is Bluetooth not finding devices? Skip to step 4.
2. Disconnect the Bluetooth Device from Your iPhone
If turning your iPhone Bluetooth off and on again doesn’t work, the next option is to disconnect and reconnect the device from your Bluetooth settings:
Still experiencing troubles and wondering «why won’t my Bluetooth connect?» We have three more steps for you to try!
3. Unpair & Re-pair the Bluetooth Device to Your iPhone
If the device won’t connect at all or it doesn’t reconnect after you’ve turned it off and back on, try forgetting it and pairing again:
- From Bluetooth Settings, tap on the info icon next to the device.
Still wondering, «why is my Bluetooth not working?» The next two steps should be able to help!
4. Hard Restart If iPhone Bluetooth Is Still Not Connecting
Rebooting your iPhone is a basic troubleshooting step that often solves many common issues, including when your iPhone Bluetooth is not connecting.
- Quickly click and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly click and release the Volume Down button.
- Simultaneously press and hold your Sleep/Wake button (located on the right side of the iPhone near the top) and your Volume Down button.
- Continue holding your Sleep/Wake button and down volume button until the Apple logo appears to power your iPhone back up.
To hard restart older iPhones with Home buttons:
- Press and hold the Home button and the Side button simultaneously.
- Hold both buttons down for at least ten seconds. You will see the white screen with a black Apple logo and then you can release the buttons.
For more troubleshooting solutions and iPhone tips, sign up for our free Tip of the Day newsletter.
5. Update Your iPhone’s Software
If your Bluetooth is still not connecting don’t give up just yet. It may be that your phone needs a software update. Here’s how to do that:
- Make sure you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, as updates require a Wi-Fi connection and more than 50 percent battery.
Keep in mind that if you are running beta software, you may experience unusual errors, including Bluetooth not working. Consider trying to remove beta software from your iPhone next. If your Bluetooth still won’t work, there could be a more serious problem and you should contact Apple support directly.
What to Do When iPhone Bluetooth Is Unavailable
When your iPhone Bluetooth appears unavailable in your Settings, and you’ve already updated your iPhone’s software, you may need to reset your Network Settings. This will cause your iPhone to forget all Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices you have previously connected to, so only do this as a last resort.
Reset your Network Settings:
It can be frustrating if your Bluetooth won’t connect, so we hope our troubleshooting steps have fixed your problems once and for good! We hope you will never have to wonder why your Bluetooth isn’t working again. Next, learn how to rename your AirPods on your iPhone.
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Amy Spitzfaden Both
Amy Spitzfaden-Both is the Managing Editor for iPhone Life magazine and an award-winning novelist, with over 10 years of experience in the publishing industry. She specializes in Apple news and rumors, health and fitness tech, and parenting in the digital age. She graduated from MIU with a BA in Literature and Writing.
Amy lives in New Hampshire with her husband and daughter. When she’s not writing or glued to her iPhone, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and creating her own tea blends.Article Spotlight
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