If your Bluetooth accessory won’t pair or connect to your iOS or iPadOS device, learn what to do.
If you can’t connect to one of these devices
- Get help connecting your iOS device and your car stereo.
- Learn how to set up your AirPods.
To get help pairing a Bluetooth accessory—like a wireless keyboard—to your iOS or iPadOS device, try these steps:
- 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 > 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.
- Check with the accessory manufacturer to make sure that your accessory supports your iOS or iPadOS device.
- 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.
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 have just bought a pair of Bluetooth Headphones, you need to Pair them with iPhone, before you can use them. You will find below the steps to Pair Bluetooth Headset with iPhone.
Pair Bluetooth Headphones With iPhone
Just like any other Bluetooth device, you are required to Pair Bluetooth Headphones with your iPhone or iPad, before being able use them.
Once the Headphones are paired with iPhone, you will be able to listen to music and answer incoming Calls on your iPhone, without disturbing anyone around you.
In fact, most Bluetooth devices are capable of transmitting signals up to 30 feet, which should allow you to move around your office, while still being connected to your iPhone via Bluetooth Headphones.
1. Steps to Pair Bluetooth Headphones With iPhone
Follow the steps below to Pair Bluetooth Headphones with iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth > toggle on Bluetooth .
2. Keep Bluetooth Headphones near iPhone and Power them ON by pressing and Holding the Power button for about 5 seconds.
You should now see the LED light on your Bluetooth Headset flashing, which means that it is trying to connect to your iPhone.
Note: On most Bluetooth Headphones, switching on the Power or turning them ON is good enough to make them discoverable by nearby Bluetooth enabled devices.
If your Headphones are different, you need to refer to instructions manual and follow the steps to put your Headphones in Discovery Mode.
3. On iPhone, tap on your Headphones as they appear under “Other Devices” section.
Note:On some Bluetooth Headsets, you may be prompted to enter the Passkey for your device.
Passkey is a series of numbers that you can find printed on a sticker at the back of the headphones. If not, you should be able to find the passkey in the instruction booklet.
4. Once Bluetooth Headphones get paired with iPhone, you will see them listed under “My Devices” section.
Note: It is also possible to Pair multiple Bluetooth Headphones with iPhone. However, only one Bluetooth Headphone can be active at a time.
2. Disconnect Bluetooth Headphone From iPhone.
Once you are done using Bluetooth Headphones, you can disconnect them from iPhone and they will still remain paired with your iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth > tap on the “i” icon next to the Bluetooth Headset.
2. On the next screen, tap on Disconnect .
The disconnected Bluetooth Headphones will appears as Not Connected under “My Devices” section.
3. Connect Bluetooth Headphones to iPhone
Whenever required, you can easily connect your Bluetooth Headphones to iPhone.
1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth > tap on your Bluetooth Headphones .
Your Bluetooth Headphones will get connected with your iPhone and you will be able to listen to Music or Route Calls from iPhone to Bluetooth Headset.
4. Unpair Bluetooth Headset With iPhone
In order to totally remove Bluetooth Headphones from iPhone, you will have to Unpair them.
1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth > tap on the “i” icon next to the Bluetooth Headphones.
2. On the next screen, tap on Forget This Device option.
3. On the confirmation pop-up, tap on Forget Device to confirm.
Making Bluetooth connections with peripherals and other devices from your iPhone or iPad is a fairly simple and straightforward procedure for the most part, but sometimes you might run into connectivity-related issues.
In rare cases, you might be unable to successfully pair or connect a Bluetooth accessory to your iOS device, or you might have issues preventing you from even turning the feature on. This could be due to various reasons ranging from firmware issues to a faulty Bluetooth connection. Thankfully, this is pretty easy to diagnose and resolve in most situations.
If you’re one of those unlucky iOS users who can’t get Bluetooth to work properly, don’t fret. In this article, we’ll walk you through the necessary steps to quickly troubleshoot and fix possible Bluetooth connectivity issues you may come across on your iPhone and iPad.
How to Troubleshoot & Fix Bluetooth on iPhone & iPad
Regardless of what iOS device you’re using at the moment, you can follow these basic troubleshooting methods whenever you’re facing any connectivity-related issues.
1. Make Sure Your Bluetooth Device is Connected
Although a Bluetooth accessory that was already paired should automatically connect to your device, sometimes the connection fails to establish and manual connection might be required. In order to check if your device is actually connected, simply head over to Settings -> Bluetooth and see if the device you’re trying to use is “Connected” as shown below.
2. Turn Off and Turn On Bluetooth
We get that this step might sound silly, but there could be minor software bugs that could easily be resolved by turning off certain features and turning them back on in iOS. Head over to Settings -> Bluetooth and use the toggle to disable and re-enable the feature.
3. Disconnect and Reconnect to Bluetooth Device
Wireless connectivity issues can normally be fixed by simply disconnecting and reconnecting the device. Thankfully, you disconnect from all the Bluetooth devices you’ve previously paired with, at the push of a button. Head over to the Control Center on iOS and just tap on the Bluetooth toggle until it’s grayed out as shown below.
4. Forget & Re-Pair Your Bluetooth Device
If you see that your Bluetooth device is connected and it’s still not functioning properly, or it just stopped working all of a sudden, there’s a pretty good chance that the issue you’re facing is due to a faulty connection. Unpairing and repairing the Bluetooth device should resolve this in most cases.
- Go to Settings -> Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad and tap on the “i” icon located right next to the Bluetooth device you’re trying to connect to.
5. Check for Software Updates
Certain firmware versions of iOS may have Bluetooth and other wireless connectivity issues. This is more likely to happen if you’re on a public or developer beta version of iOS, but Apple usually issues a hotfix with another update. So, make sure your device is updated to the latest iOS version by heading over to Settings -> General -> Software Update. If you do have a pending update, you’ll be notified here and you can tap on “Install Now” to begin the update process.
6. Reset Network Settings
Don’t give up just yet. Common networking issues with your iPhone or iPad could also likely be the reason why you’re unable to connect one of your Bluetooth devices. However, this can be easily resolved by resetting your network settings. Be mindful that you’ll lose your saved Bluetooth connections, Wi-Fi networks and passwords once you reset these settings. In order to do this, go to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Reset Network Settings on your iOS device.
7. Force Reboot Your iOS Device
The last thing you’d want to try is restarting your iPhone or iPad by turning it off and turning it back on. However, that’s not the end of the road either. You can force reboot your device too, which is different from a regular restart. If you’re using an iOS device with a physical home button, this can be done by simply holding the power button and home button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo on the screen. However, if you’re using a newer iPhone or iPad with Face ID, you’ll need to click the volume up button first, followed by the volume down button and then hold the side / power button until you see the Apple logo.
If none of the above troubleshooting methods worked in your favor, there’s a pretty good chance that the issue is with the Bluetooth device you’re trying to connect to and not your iPhone itself. For starters, you can check if the Bluetooth device has enough charge left in it to function properly. Look for any signs of physical damage on the Bluetooth accessory, as hardware-related issues after physical damage is pretty common.
Physical and water damage applies to your iPhone and iPad too, so inspect your device properly.
For all hardware-related issues on your iOS device, make sure to contact official Apple support for further assistance.
We hope you managed to get Bluetooth to work properly on your iPhone and iPad again. Which of the troubleshooting methods we discussed here worked for you? If not, did you contact Apple support for help with hardware-related problems? Do share your valuable experience in the comments section down below.
Source: Joseph Keller / iMore
Whether it’s your brand new iPhone 7 Plus or iPad Pro or your trusty old iPhone 5s or iPad Air, there’s a lot you can do to troubleshoot before going to Apple or the manufacturer. Sure, sometimes there’s an issue with your headset, speaker, or in-car infotainment system, but often enough it’s a software issue that a few simple steps can fix. If so, follow along and we’ll get you back up and connected in no time!
Toggle Bluetooth
It’s amazing how many problems can be solved simply by turning things off and then back on again.
- Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen (iPhones with Touch ID) or the top-right corner (iPhones with Face ID) to bring up Control Center.
- Tap the Bluetooth button to turn BT off.
Tap the Bluetooth button again to turn BT back on.
Source: iMore
Alternatively, you can perform the same steps but tap the Airplane Mode button to toggle Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular all off and then back on again.
Once you’re done, try connecting again. If it works, great. If not, keep reading.
Hard reset
The next thing to try is a hard reset. Make all the “reboot Windows” jokes you want but sometimes bad bits get stuck and need to be flushed out.
Once your iPhone or iPad has rebooted, try connecting it in again. If it works, you’re good. If not, go on to the next step.
Pair different
If you have more than one iOS device available, even if you have to borrow it from a family member, friend, classmate, or coworker, try using it to connect to your Bluetooth accessory. If it works, the problem is with your iOS device and you’ll need to keep on troubleshooting.
If a family member, friend, classmate, or coworker has the same Bluetooth accessory as you, it’s worth checking to see if their’s will work with your iPhone or iPad as well. If it doesn’t work, the problem might be with your Bluetooth accessory and you should either take it back (if you can exchange it) or contact the manufacturer for assistance (if you can’t exchange it).
If it works, we’re back to troubleshooting your device and you’re back to reading.
Forget it
If it’s not the radio, something might have gone wrong with the setup. Forgetting the device lets you redo that.
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap on Bluetooth.
Tap on the Info (i) button next to the device you want to forget.
Source: iMore
Tap Forget Device to confirm.
Source: iMore
Once you’ve forgotten the device, follow the directions for your Bluetooth device and reconnect to it. If it works, fantastic. If it doesn’t, keep going.
5. Update!
Apple’s Bluetooth stack—the set of software that controls the radio—isn’t without its occasional quirks. Sometimes brand new versions of iOS introduce compatibility problems and sometimes they fix them. If you’re having Bluetooth connectivity problems, however, you’re better off upgrading than not. If it’s already broke, the update is your chance for a fix.
Once you’re done updating, try to connect again. If it works, awesome. If not, repeat step 3, above, to forget and reconnect with the Bluetooth device. If even that doesn’t work, there’s more to try!
6. Restore with your Mac
If there was no update—or even if there was—restoring your iPhone or iPad using your Mac can sometimes shake loose bad bits that even a hard reset or iCloud restore can’t. That’s because your Mac offloads your data, restores the operating system, and then reloads you data. Think of it as spring cleaning.
When you’re all done, try connecting to Bluetooth again. If it works, huzzah. If not, there’s one last thing you can try.
7. Reset networks
Resetting is a pain in the butt but if something has gone wrong with the way your iPhone or iPad connects to other devices, sometimes the pain can be healing.
You’ll have to reconnect to every Wi-Fi and Bluetooth device you own or use, but once you’re done, see if your accessory starts to work. If it does, it was all worth it. If not, let’s keep going.
8. Contact Apple
Sometimes a problem really is a problem. Like any electronics, Bluetooth radios and the various connections to them can have problems. If you have AppleCare+, don’t walk, run to get it fixed. If you don’t, get an estimate and weigh the cost of repair against the cost of upgrading to a new device.
If you don’t live close to an Apple Store, you can call 1-800-MY-APPLE in order to set up a mail-in repair. If you don’t have AppleCare, you may have to pay for the call, but it’s less of a waste than having an iPhone or iPad you can’t connect to.
Your fixes?
If you had an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad that you couldn’t connect to your favorite Bluetooth accessory or your car’s infotainment system, and one of the above fixes worked for you, let me know! If something else worked, let me know that as well!
We’re trying to connect your phone and PC over Bluetooth.
Troubleshoot steps:
Make sure that your phone is in range
Restart Bluetooth on your iPhone and on your PC. To do this:
Go to your phone’s Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth off and then back on.
Go to Start > Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and turn Bluetooth off and then back on.
If the issue persists, remove the Bluetooth pairing from both devices by performing the following instructions:
Go to your phone’s Settings > Bluetooth and click the (i) next to your PC’s name. Then, click Forget This Device and approve.
The phone will switch back to the Settings > Bluetooth screen. On this screen, turn Bluetooth off and then back on.
Go to Virtoo by LG Settings > Phones tab. Click ‘x’, Unpair, and Remove device.
Restart your PC.
After removing the Bluetooth connection from both devices, open Virtoo by LG app and pair the devices again. To do so, go to the Settings tab, click Add a new phone, and follow the pairing wizard.
Connecting other hands-free devices to your iPhone or PC
Check that no other hands-free devices, such as Bluetooth headsets are attached to your iPhone or PC. Bluetooth headsets that are connected to your PC with a dedicated USB dongle are OK.
When “WiFi disconnects when iPhone is locked” issue surfaced recently in iOS 13, we didn’t find the problem surprising as Wi-Fi issues have been (kind of) chronic problems on iPhones and iPads for several years. And guess what, days after we dealt with one long-existing problem, another one has cropped up. As you might have already guessed, many users have run into Bluetooth issues in iOS 13, which has been labeled as one of the most unstable iOS updates ever – despite the rapid adoption. So, we have jotted down some of the reliable solutions to fix the Bluetooth issues in iOS 13 on iPhone and iPad. So, whether you are unable to connect your iPhone to a Bluetooth accessory or not seeing the Bluetooth device, these tricks can help you get the better of the problems.
Tips to Fix Bluetooth Not Working Issues on iPhone and iPad
As soon as I updated my iPhone to iOS 13.2, I was unable to connect to Bluetooth devices. At times, the smartphone wouldn’t discover the ready-to-be used Bluetooth accessories. At other times, it would fail to connect to them even after discovering them. Luckily, one of the trusted hacks came to my rescue (more on that later). With that said, let’s get on with the troubleshooting guide!
Give Bluetooth a Fresh Restart
The first thing you need to do is give Bluetooth a fresh restart. It has always been my go-to trick whenever I encounter Bluetooth problems on my iOS devices. More often than not, it gets the job done. That’s why I have put it right at the top. To do so, open Settings app > Bluetooth and then turn off the switch. After that, force-restart your iPhone. Remember that turning Bluetooth off from Control Panel doesn’t work so you have to go to Settings to do that.
- To force reboot your iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus: Press and hold the home button and sleep/wake button at once.
- To hard reset iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold sleep/wake button and volume down button at once.
- To hard reset iPhone 8/ 8 Plus, iPhone X, Xs or Xs Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max: Press and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Once your device has restarted, go back to Settings > Bluetooth and then turn on the switch. Now, try using Bluetooth as usual. If you are able to get the better of the problem, rejoice. But if the success is yet to smile, move on to the next trick.
Forget the Device and Reconnect
Another trick that has always worked for me in troubleshooting the Bluetooth not working issue on iPhone or iPad is forgetting the device and then reconnecting the iOS device to Bluetooth accessories. So, I’m going to give a try to this trusted troubleshooter as well. Simply open the Settings app > Bluetooth > tap on the “i” button next to the Bluetooth accessory. Now, tap on Forget This Device and confirm.
Reset the Radios (All Network Settings)
Whenever I find my iPhone or iPad embroiled into network issues, the one trick that I never fail to try out is resetting the network settings. And just as you might expect, I’m not going to miss out on it in this post either, considering it has a pretty good record of resolving Bluetooth issues on iOS. But before getting it done, do note that it will wipe out all the existing network settings and return them to the factory defaults. Head over to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Network Settings > Enter your device passcode and confirm.
Note: Fortunately, this trick worked for me in fixing the issue on my device. So, I expect you to get lucky with it as well.
Reset the Bluetooth Accessory
Still unable to sort out the Bluetooth issues on your iOS 13 device? Don’t worry, the problem could be with your Bluetooth accessory. So, try resetting the Bluetooth device. Keep in mind, the process varies from one device to the other. Therefore, take the help of the user manual or contact the manufacturer for help if you don’t know how to reset the device.
Update Software on Your iPhone or iPad
Nowadays, software update seems to have become the biggest savior for any adamant issues that crop up not only on iOS devices but also on macOS and watchOS. While it appears to be good in some ways, I don’t think it’s setting the right benchmark. As users have to wait for the next major iOS updates which might be weeks away. Now, that’s not a good thing, is it?
What if you are on the go and suddenly encounter an issue on your device, wouldn’t you be forced to live with the issue until your device has met all the basic software update requirements? Yeah, you would have no choice but to either curse your device or look down on the bad times. I don’t know whether it’s a smart move from Apple to force iPhone and iPad users to update their devices as soon as possible or we have just hit a rough phase on the Apple ecosystem. Anyway, let’s try updating the software. To do so, open Settings app > General > Software Update.
Restore Your iPhone or iPad As New
Having faced Bluetooth issues quite a few times on my iPhone, I can say that you may rarely have to restore your device to fix such problems. But hey, strange things do happen with software when you expect them the least. And iOS or iPadOS is no exception to such things. So, if the luck is still frowning upon you, why not try it out as well as it’s often considered as the last resort. Do note that if your Mac is running macOS Catalina, you will need to use Finder to carry out all the tasks like restoring or syncing your iPhone or iPad. But before going for this radical step, make sure to back up your device upfront so that your personal data will remain on the safer side of the stream.
Fix Bluetooth Issue on iPhone and iPad
Hopefully, the Bluetooth problems are behind your back now. Though I can’t say for how long given that it’s a common issue that keeps on coming everyone once in a while. But whenever you encounter them, do return to this troubleshooting guide to try out the solutions mentioned above. By the way, share your thoughts about iOS 13 and the issues that you have encountered after upgrading to the software.
We’ve all been there. You go to connect your Bluetooth device to your iPhone or iPad but nothing seems to work. Connecting Bluetooth devices to your iPhone can be fustrating sometimes especially when Bluetooth isn’t working.
In this article, I’ll be showing you the solutions that work when it comes to a problem like this. I’m going, to begin with, the solutions that work best just to save you some time. Make sure you try all of them until you strike lucky.
Turn Pairing Mode off and on
When you want to connect your iPhone or iPad to a Bluetooth device you will have to pair both devices to together otherwise they won’t connect.
On some devices such as AirPods, there will be a Pairing button which will enable your Bluetooth device to become discoverable. Once your device is dicoverable , your iPhone will be able to find it.
To connect your Bluetooth Device
- Find the pairing button on your Bluetooth device
- Turn it off and on
- Go to the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone/iPad
- Find your device and connect it
Make sure you give it time to find your Bluetooth device. I will suggest you wait 30 seconds before you turn the pairing button on again. On the iPhone or iPad, it may take up to a few seconds to find your device.
Force Restart your iPhone
You’ll be surprised by how effective this method is when it comes to troubleshooting problems on the iPhone or iPad. If you restart your device and find that it fixes the issue, then it was most likely a software problem that prevented you from connecting your B luetooth device.
A Force restart can also be used to fix other issues so you can refer to it as your very handyman man. Remember that this function is done differently on certain iOS devices.
If you don’t know how to force restart your iPad then here is a good guide on how to do so. Make sure you find the correct model before you begin. Once you have restarted your iPhone or iPad, try and connect it to a Bluetooth device.
If you have an iPhone X model or 8 then here is a guide on how to Force Restart your iPhone.
To do this on the older iPhone:
- Press and hold on the Sleep/Wake button.
- Do this while holding the Home button.
- Hold until you see the Apple logo.
This whole process take about 30 seconds so don’t worry. Once your iPhone or iPad has restarted, proceed to connect a Bluetooth device and check if it works. If it doesn’t then go onto the next solution.
Turn on Airplane Mode
This is a simple yet effective solution. Airplane Mode can be simple explained. It stops your iOS device from making any connections what so ever. This allows it to reconnect once it is turned of.
There are two ways of doing this. You can go through the control center by swiping up from your screen or down if you are on the iPhone X. Once you see an Airplane icon which you tap to turn it off.
You can also do this in S ettings . Go over to Settings and it will be the first section you see. Toggle it on and then wait 30 seconds before you toggle it off.
Turn on and off Bluetooth
This sound pretty basic but it can be the root cause to your issue. Is your Bluetooth on? Have you tried turning it off and on? If you have done any of these things then you should try them.
- Go over to Settings
- Tap on Bluetooth
- Toggle it off and wait 30 seconds
- Now toggle it on
Forget the Bluetooth Device
If you have already connected this particular Bluetooth device before then you may want to forget it.
The forget it function removes all the information that has been stored about that device on your iOS device and iCloud.
Don’t worry, when you do this you won’t lose anything important as you are going to reconnect it to your iPhone again.
To forget your Bluetooth device:
- Go into the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone/iPad.
- Tap the information button next to the connected device.
- Tap on Forget This device.
Once you have done this, you will have to reconnect the Bluetooth device again and see if it will connect to your iPhone or iPad.
Reset Network Settings
Network settings are pretty self-explanatory. These are settings that are related to any network connections. For example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular Data.
When you reset your Network settings, you don’t lose any important information apart from the fact that you have to re-enter your WiFi password.
To Reset Network Settings:
- Go to Settings
- Scroll down and tap on General
- Tap on Reset
- Now select Reset Network Settings and confirm.
Put your iPhone or iPad in DFU Mode
DFU Mode stands for Device Firmware Update. It allows you to reset the code running your hardware that is old or faulty.
Remember to only do this if you have tried all the steps above as it can be quite a hard function. Luckily for you, I have made a guide on how to put your iPhone into DFU Mode.
If you on an iPad then here is how to do this. Remember that it can take up to 5 minutes to perform. If your iPhone or iPad still won’t connect to Bluetooth then there’s only two possible solution left.
Repair your iOS device
You can always try and repair your iOS device if there is a problem with it. The Puls service helps with that. They will come to you usually within an hour of booking an appointment.
Once there arrive, your device will be fixed in less than 30 minutes and you pay once you’re happy. You also get a lifetime warranty when you use the service.
Note: We get a referral fee every time you use the Puls service through us. With that being said, I truly believe it is the best service out there.
Contact Apple for Tech Support
If you have made it up until this point then it is pretty clear that your iPhone or iPad isn’t working Bluetooth wise. Have you wondered whether the device you are trying to connect is faulty?
If all else fails then you may want to make an Appointment at your nearest Apple store. Explain your problem when you get a chance and hopefully, they can advise you on what to do next.
Bottom Line
Was this article useful to you? Please let me know down in the comments below. If you have any questions or you are confused with certain steps then let me know down below and I will get back to you in a timely manner.
Make sure you try and complete all solution in this article. Share this article with your friends and family using the Social Media buttons on this page.
iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 were released to the public a few weeks ago and it has been received pretty well. Apple incorporated a plethora of features that enhance user experience. However, since the release is new, there are bound to be bugs and errors that might affect your iPhone or iPad’s functionality. One of the most common issues that might prevail is Bluetooth not working on your device. If you’re experiencing problems, we have compiled a list of solutions to fix Bluetooth issues on iOS 14 or iPadOS 14.
Try These Fixes to Resolve Bluetooth Issues on iPhone or iPad After Updating to iOS 14 or iPadOS 14
There are a number of reasons why iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 update is causing Bluetooth issues. Some of the most common issues pertaining to Bluetooth involve:
- Unavailable or unable to connect to the Bluetooth accessory.
- Crackling sound.
- Bluetooth accessory not visible.
- Skipping or stuttering of music on Bluetooth speakers or AirPods.
If you’re experiencing the listed issues or any other issues, do try the fixes that we have listed below. Before you begin, ensure that the issue is with your iPhone or iPad. You can do this by connecting the Bluetooth accessory to another device and see if it works properly and how it is supposed to. If it does, you know the Bluetooth issue is with your iPhone or iPad. To fix these Bluetooth issues on iOS 14 or iPadOS 14, here’s what you have to do.
1. Install the Latest Versio of iOS or iPadOS
If you have not installed the latest iOS or iPadOS update, be sure to do so. This is due to the underlying bugs and errors in the initial release. If there is a persistent Bluetooth issue in iOS 14 or iPadOS 14, Apple will fix it in the subsequent updates.
2. Turn off Bluetooth and Restart
The first thing you have to do is turn off Bluetooth from the Control Center or by navigating to Settings > Bluetooth and toggle it off. Now hard reset your iPhone or iPad to fix Bluetooth issues.
On iPhone models with Touch ID, press and hold the Home button, Volume Down button, and the Power button until you see the Apple logo on the screen. On iPhone models with Face ID, quickly press and release the Volume Up button, press and release the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
When the iPhone or iPad turns back on, enable Bluetooth from the Control Center or the Settings, and see if it fixes the issue.
3. Forget Bluetooth Accessory and Pair Again
If the previous method to fox Bluetooth issue on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 did not work on your iPhone or iPad, you should try forgetting the device and then pair it again. Here’s how you can forget the Bluetooth device.
1. Launch Settings and head over to Bluetooth.
2. On the right side of the Bluetooth device, tap on the “i” icon.
3. Now tap on Forget This Device button and confirm.
4. Now pair your iPhone or iPad with the Bluetooth accessory again.
This is the most common mix and should work with your device as well. if it doesn’t, check out the remaining fixes.
4. Reset Network Settings
This fix resets the entire network settings to default and eliminates any changes that you have made recently. This also works with your WiFi settings and you will have to rejoin and configure WiFi networks again. Here’s how to do it.
1. Launch the Settings app and navigate to General.
2. Now tap on General > Reset Network Settings.
3. Enter your passcode and confirm your action.
Your iPhone or iPad will now reboot with default network settings. Since the default network settings are implemented, this should clear the issue.
5. Restore Your iPhone or iPad as New
If the previous technique did not work out for you, the last option is to restore your iPhone or iPad. This is not an ideal solution but it has proven to work in many situations. Take note that the data is erased after this so you should create a new backup from which you can restore once the device is set up. Here’s how you can do to fix Bluetooth issues on iOS 14 iPadOS 14.
1. Launch the Settings app and head over to General.
2. Navigate to Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
3. Enter your passcode and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your iPhone or iPad.
6. Visit Your Nearest Apple Store
If the above-listed fixes for Bluetooth issues do not resolve after updating to iOS 14 or iPadOS 14, you should get help from your nearest Apple Store. It is possible that your device might have a hardware issue instead of a software issue.
That’s all there is to it, folks. Let us know in the comments if any of the ways fixed Bluetooth issues on your iPhone or iPad after updating to iOS 14.
When your watch and phone aren’t connected, you’ll see Disconnected . If they won’t stay connected, try the steps below.
Learn more about what happens when your watch loses its connection.
Fix your watch connection
First, move your watch and phone closer together.
If that step doesn’t work, try the steps below until you fix the issue.
Check that the Wear OS app is running
- On your iPhone, open the Wear OS app .
- Return to your home screen. Use your phone as usual. For best results, do not close the app.
- On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Check that Bluetooth is turned on.
- If your screen is dim, tap it to wake up the watch.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Tap Settings .
- On some watches, you need to swipe left to see this option.
- Tap Connectivity.
- If you don’t see this option, skip this step.
- Scroll down until you find Airplane mode.
- Check that Airplane mode is turned off.
Check for iPhone updates
- On your iPhone, open the Settings app.
- Tap GeneralSoftware Update.
- If there’s an update available, tap to install.
Check for Wear OS app updates
- On your iPhone, open the App Store app.
- At the bottom right, tap Updates.
- If the Wear OS app needs to be updated, you’ll find it under “Pending Updates.”
- If it’s there, tap Update.
- If it’s not there, it’s already updated.
Check for updates on your watch
- If your screen is dim, tap it to wake up the watch.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Tap Settings .
- On some watches, you need to swipe left to see this option.
- Tap System.
- Scroll down and tap Restart Done .
- Restart your iPhone.
If the steps above didn’t work, try the steps below.
Note: When you reset your watch to factory settings, all apps, settings, and data on your watch are erased.