8 Ways to Fix Bluetooth Not Working On iPhone and iPad

Connecting your iPhone or iPad to other devices, such as headphones, wireless mouse, speakers, etc., is easy, thanks to Bluetooth. However, you might be unable to connect to the said Bluetooth device. If you’re also facing the issue of Bluetooth not working on iPhone and iPad, keep reading as we have a look at 8 easy ways to fix it.

The issue of Bluetooth not working on iPhone and iPad affects not only your device’s ability to connect to other devices but also prevents using certain apps that require a working Bluetooth connection. So, let’s resolve the Bluetooth issues on your iPhone or iPad and get your device’s functions back to normal.

1. Turn Bluetooth off and Back on Again

The first order of business to fix any issue is to turn the setting off and back on. This also holds true if your iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth is not working. Once done, it will force your iPhone or iPad to try and connect to the device again, solving any issues that might have occurred during the previous pairing. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Here, tap on Bluetooth.

Step 3: Turn off the toggle for Bluetooth.

Step 4: Wait a few seconds and tap on the Bluetooth toggle again to turn it back on.

Now, check if Bluetooth is working as expected. If Bluetooth still doesn’t connect, move on to the next fix.

2. Restart iPhone and iPad

Rebooting your Apple device can help you solve several problems, including the iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth not connecting to other devices. Once done, it will restart all device services while fixing any glitches during the previous boot. Follow the below steps to do it. 

Step 1: Depending on the model of your device, follow the below steps to turn off your device.

• For iPhone SE 1st gen, 5s, 5c, and 5: Long-press the top button.
• For iPhone SE 2nd gen onwards, 7, and 8: Long-press the side button.
• For iPhone X and above: Long-press the power and either of the volume buttons simultaneously.
• For iPad: Press and hold any volume button and the top button until the slider appears.

Step 2: Now, hold and drag the slider till the end.

Wait for your device’s screen to go blank. Then, long press the power button until the Apple logo appears. Once your device restarts, try connecting your Apple device to another using Bluetooth.

3. Enable Bluetooth for Other Apps

If you’re using a third-party app to connect your Bluetooth device to your iPhone or iPad, it might be worth checking if Bluetooth access has been enabled for the app. This will allow the app to use your device’s Bluetooth settings to connect to the Bluetooth device. 

Please note that granting Bluetooth access can allow app developers to see information about you and your device. So, only enable this setting if the app is trustworthy. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on ‘Privacy & Security’.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on Bluetooth.

Step 3: Here, turn on the toggle for the relevant app.

Then, open the third-party app and try connecting your Bluetooth device to your iPhone or iPad again. 

4. Forget and Pair the Device Again

Any issues or glitches during the initial pairing process can cause you trouble later. This can result in issues like Bluetooth won’t connect or ‘pairing unsuccessful’ error messages. To ensure this does not happen, try unpairing and again pairing your Bluetooth device with your iPad or iPhone. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Bluetooth.

Step 2: From the list of previously paired devices, tap on the relevant device.

Step 3: Here, tap on ‘Forget This Device’.

Step 4: Tap on Forget Device to confirm.

This will remove the Bluetooth device from your list of paired devices. Now, use the below steps to pair the device again with your iPhone or iPad.

Step 5: On the Bluetooth settings page, go to the Other Devices section and tap on the relevant device.

Once your device finishes pairing, it will be added to the My Devices section. Now, check again if it is working as expected.

If your iPhone or iPad can’t discover your Bluetooth device, you can also use these steps to pair a different Bluetooth device. This way, you can check if the issue is with your Apple device or the Bluetooth device. If you’re still unable to pair, move on to the next fix.

5. Check for Software Update

Steady software updates are crucial to the well-being and smooth running of your Apple device. This also means that if you’ve been putting off installing software updates for a while, it might give rise to issues like Bluetooth not working on iPhone and iPad. To fix this, you can manually check and install any pending software updates. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on General.

Step 2: Here, tap on Software Update.

If there is a software update available, tap on Download & Install and wait for it to finish installing. Then, open the Bluetooth settings and check again if the issue of your iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth not working has been resolved.

6. Factory Reset the Bluetooth Device

Most Bluetooth devices come with a reset button. This can either be a physical button you can press or an option available on a connected app. For more information, you can check the Bluetooth accessories website or instruction manual and reset it to factory settings.

Once done, try connecting it to your iPhone or iPad.

7. Reset Network Settings

Resetting your iPad or iPhone’s network settings will remove any previously done modifications or changes to the Bluetooth settings that might be preventing your device from connecting to other Bluetooth devices. 

Please note that once this is done, your device will automatically forget all the previously paired Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi devices, and other network-related login information. If you would still like to give it a try, follow these steps.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on General.

Step 2: Here, tap on ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’.

Step 3: Tap on Reset.

Step 4: Here, tap on ‘Reset Network Settings’.

Now, use the above-mentioned steps to open Bluetooth settings and try pairing your device again. If you still encounter a ‘pairing unsuccessful’ error, move on to the next fix.

8. Contact Apple Support

If your iPhone or iPad’s Bluetooth is still not working, you can get in touch with Apple’s support team. Here, select the relevant device you would like help with and choose the issue. Then, either go through the community forums or contact Apple support to try and fix the issue.

Contact Apple Support

FAQs for Bluetooth Issues on iPhone

Fix Bluetooth Qualms

So these are all the ways you can use to fix the issue of Bluetooth not working on iPhone and iPad. Additionally, you can also check our other article if you have trouble using the swipe keyboard and swipe-type like a pro.