Bluetooth is a great accessory that allows you to connect your iPhone to various devices. With Bluetooth, you can transfer files from your iPhone and connect them to wireless headphones, among other great devices. That’s why it will be incredibly frustrating when your iPhone’s Bluetooth stops working.
You’ll always expect Bluetooth accessories to work seamlessly, but that is not always the case. If you’re having issues with your iPhone’s Bluetooth, it is something that you can fix on your own. This guide will show you how you can fix iPhone Bluetooth not working.
Why is My iPhone’s Bluetooth not Working?
Like any other modern technology, your Bluetooth might stop working on your iPhone or iPad. They range from software issues to damaged Bluetooth accessories. For whatever reason your iPhone’s Bluetooth is not working, we have compiled the best possible solutions and tips o fix your iPhone’s Bluetooth connection.
Before that, you should first ensure that your iPhone’s Bluetooth and your accessories are turned on. Bluetooth cannot connect unless both devices are turned on and paired. To ensure your iPhone’s Bluetooth is on, open Settings >Bluetooth > Toggle the switch on.
If it’s still not working, you can try the following to troubleshoot your iPhone’s Bluetooth issues.
1. Ensure your devices are close to each other
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless protocol for connecting your iPhone to other accessories. Your iPhone Bluetooth only works when your devices are close enough. It is recommended that your iPhone and Bluetooth device are less than 10 meters apart.
Anything more will lead to signal loss preventing your devices from connecting. You should also ensure no obstacles between your iPhone and your Bluetooth device. Obstacles can interfere with the signal or cause signal loss.
2. Turn Your iPhone Bluetooth Off and On Again
Sometimes a simple operation like turning off your iPhone Bluetooth and turning it back on could solve your Bluetooth problem. You can also turn off and on your Bluetooth accessory to get it working properly.
Most Bluetooth devices come with a switch to turn them on and off. Press the switch to turn Bluetooth on and off. If you would like to solve your iPhone Bluetooth problem by enabling and disabling it, you can do so by:
Step 1: Open the Settings App on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap on Bluetooth.
Step 3: Toggle Bluetooth off.
Step 4: Restart your phone.
Step 5: After that, you should return to Bluetooth Settings.
Step 6: Toggle Bluetooth On.
3. Disconnect the Bluetooth Device from Your iPhone
If turning off and on Bluetooth does not work, you can try disconnecting the Bluetooth device from your iPhone. You can then reconnect the Bluetooth Device to your iPhone to see whether it is working as expected. Even though the latest Bluetooth version allows you to pair your device to multiple devices, this could be problematic.
Therefore, you can disconnect your iPhone Bluetooth from the other devices, allowing it to focus its signal strength on the prioritized device. Take the following steps to disconnect and reconnect your Bluetooth accessory to your iPhone:
Step 1: On your iPhone, tap on Settings.
Step 2: Select Bluetooth
Step 3: Under MY DEVICES, find the Bluetooth device that’s not connecting.
Step 4: Tap on the Info icon next to it
Step 5: Tap Disconnect
Step 6: Turn off the device, then back on.
Step 7: The device should automatically connect with your iPhone. If not, navigate to Bluetooth Settings > Tap the name of the device to reconnect
4. Forget and reconnect the device
If your iPhone Bluetooth cannot connect with a specific device, you can have your iPhone completely forget it and then repair it again. This is important for Bluetooth devices that you have not connected to your iPhone for quite a long time.
After connecting your Bluetooth to many devices, you might have problems figuring out which device to connect to. You can, therefore, forget and delete all the other Bluetooth devices that you no longer use. To forget a Bluetooth device and pair it again with your iPhone:
Step 1: In the Bluetooth Settings, tap on the info icon next to it
Step 2: Tap Forget This Device
Step 3: Confirm that you want your device to forget the device.
Step 4: You can go through the pairing process again.
5. Hard restart your iPhone
Hard restarting your iPhone can solve a handful of problems on your iPhone, including Bluetooth not working. Force restarting your iPhone refreshes the Bluetooth app and might work when you try reconnecting your device. Restarting your iPhone depends on your device. You can force restart your iPhone by:
To hard restart iPhone X and Later
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up Button
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down Button
- Press and hold the Side button
To Force Restart iPhone 7 and 8
- Simultaneously press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and Volume Down button
- Continue holding them until you see the Apple logo
Force restart your iPhone with the Home buttons
- Simultaneously press and hold the Home button and the Side button
- Hold them for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears
6. Update your iPhone’s software to the most recent iOS
Running outdated iOS software on your iPhone can prevent various apps, including Bluetooth, from functioning as expected. You should ensure that your iPhone iOS is up-to-date to avoid having Bluetooth issues.
You can update your iPhone’s system software by:
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network and ensure that it has more than 50% battery
Step 2: Head over to Settings
Step 3: Tap on General
Step 4: Then, choose Software Update.
Step 5: If an update is available, tap on Download and Install.
Step 6: After downloading, it’ll install and restart your iPhone automatically.
7. Reset your iPhone’s network settings
If you continue having Bluetooth issues, you can consider resetting your iPhone’s network settings. This will wipe out all Bluetooth information and other network settings. Therefore, your iPhone will forget all your Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi connections, and VPN configurations. You can reset your iPhone’s network settings by:
Step 1: Open Settings.
Step 2: Tap on General.
Step 3: Scroll down and tap on Reset.
Step 4: Select Reset Network Settings.
Step 5: You may be prompted to enter your passcode.
8. Reset our Bluetooth Accessory
You can also try connecting your Bluetooth device to another iPhone to determine whether the issue is with your iPhone or the device. If it fails to pair, the issue could be with your Bluetooth device.
If the issue is with your Bluetooth device, you can try resetting it. The process of resetting depends on the Bluetooth device. Therefore, you can check your device manual to know how you can reset it.
For example, to reset your Airpods:
Step 1: Open the Lid.
Step 2: Hold down the Setup button on the back of the case for at least 15 seconds.
Step 3: The status light will flash amber and then white.
9. Factory reset your iPhone
As your last resort, you can factory reset your iPhone if none of the fixes above work. It would help if you remembered that factory resetting your iPhone would erase all content and settings. Therefore, you should back up your content before progressing with this method.
To factory reset your iPhone:
Step 1: Go to Settings.
Step 2: Tap on General.
Step 3: Tap on Reset.
Step 4: Select Erase All Content and Settings.
Step 5: Enter your passcode to wipe your iPhone completely.
You can then try connecting your Bluetooth Device before restoring your deleted content and files.
10. Contact Apple
If, after trying everything possible and your iPhone Bluetooth is still not working, it’s time to contact Apple. If your device still has a one-year warranty or you purchased AppleCare+, you’ll likely not pay anything to repair your device. If you have an older iPhone no longer covered by the warranty, you can opt for a third-party repair center. This is less costly than repairing your device with Apple.
Conclusion
Whether you would like to listen to your favorite playlist or send files, iPhone Bluetooth not working should not stop you from taking advantage of this technology. By taking into account our troubleshooting tips, you can get your iPhone Bluetooth working again.
