If Bluetooth is not working on your iPhone, the problem may be with the iPhone, the accessory, or simply an old pairing between the two devices.
That distinction matters. If one pair of headphones refuses to connect but every other Bluetooth device works normally, resetting the entire iPhone's network settings is usually unnecessary. If no Bluetooth accessory can connect—or Bluetooth itself is unavailable—the problem deserves broader troubleshooting.
Quick answer: Keep the iPhone and accessory close together, charge and restart the accessory, make sure it is in pairing mode, then open Settings > Bluetooth. If the device was previously paired, forget it and pair it again. Also check whether it is still connected to another phone, tablet, or computer.
First: Is One Bluetooth Device Failing or All of Them?
Before resetting anything, try another Bluetooth accessory if you have one.
| What Happens | Where to Focus |
|---|---|
| One accessory won't connect | Accessory battery, pairing mode, saved pairing and compatibility |
| Accessory connects to another phone but not the iPhone | Old pairing, iPhone settings or compatibility |
| No accessories connect | iPhone Bluetooth settings, software or broader network configuration |
| Device doesn't appear at all | Discovery mode, distance or connection to another device |
| Shows Connected but doesn't work | Audio output, accessory app or accessory function |
| Connection repeatedly drops | Distance, battery, interference, firmware or pairing |
| Bluetooth switch is grayed out | Restart, iOS and potentially Apple Support |
Apple's current troubleshooting guidance follows the same principle: check the accessory itself first and determine whether the problem affects only that accessory or Bluetooth more broadly.
Check Bluetooth in Settings
Open:
Settings > Bluetooth
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
If the accessory has been paired before, look under My Devices. You may see statuses such as Connected or Not Connected.
If the accessory is new, it normally needs to be placed in discovery or pairing mode before it appears under available Bluetooth devices.
Apple's current pairing instructions are available in its official Bluetooth accessory guide.
Restart and Charge the Bluetooth Accessory
Do not troubleshoot only the iPhone.
Apple recommends turning the Bluetooth accessory off and back on and making sure it has enough power.
Try this:
- Turn the Bluetooth accessory off.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Turn it back on.
- Check its battery level if possible.
- Charge it or replace its batteries if necessary.
- Try connecting again.
A device with a critically low battery may power on but still behave unpredictably during pairing or connection.
Make Sure the Accessory Is in Pairing Mode
A Bluetooth accessory does not necessarily remain discoverable simply because it is turned on.
New headphones, speakers, keyboards, game controllers and car systems often require a specific pairing procedure.
Depending on the accessory, that might involve:
- Holding the power button.
- Holding a Bluetooth button.
- Opening its charging case.
- Holding a pairing button on the case.
- Selecting Add Device on a car's infotainment screen.
Look for a flashing indicator or other signal that the device has entered pairing mode.
Then keep Settings > Bluetooth open on the iPhone and wait for the accessory to appear.
Apple recommends checking the accessory manufacturer's instructions if you are unsure how to make the device discoverable.
Disconnect It From Other Phones or Computers
This is especially common with headphones and speakers.
Your accessory may automatically reconnect to the last phone, tablet, laptop, TV or other device it used.
That can prevent or complicate a new connection to your iPhone.
If the accessory works with another device but refuses to connect to the iPhone:
- Open Bluetooth settings on the other device.
- Disconnect or forget the accessory there.
- Put the accessory back into pairing mode.
- Return to Settings > Bluetooth on the iPhone.
- Try pairing again.
Apple specifically recommends unpairing an accessory from other devices when it can connect elsewhere but not to the iPhone.
Forget the Bluetooth Device and Pair Again
If the accessory previously worked but now refuses to connect, recreate the pairing.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth.
- Find the accessory under My Devices.
- Tap the Info button beside it.
- Tap Forget This Device.
- Confirm.
- Put the accessory back into pairing mode.
- Select it again when it appears under Bluetooth devices.
This removes the saved Bluetooth pairing and lets the iPhone establish a new one.
Note: Apple says that if you unpair certain Apple accessories such as AirPods, they can also be unpaired from other devices where you're signed in to the same Apple Account.
Check Bluetooth Permission for the App
Sometimes Bluetooth itself works, but an app cannot communicate with the accessory.
For example, a fitness device, smart accessory or other Bluetooth product may pair with the iPhone but still fail inside its companion app.
Check:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Find the relevant app.
- Make sure Bluetooth access is enabled if the app needs it.
Apple specifically includes Bluetooth app permission in its current troubleshooting instructions.
Do not confuse this with the main Bluetooth switch. Bluetooth can be enabled for the iPhone while one particular app is blocked from accessing nearby Bluetooth devices.
Bluetooth Says Connected but the Device Does Not Work
A Connected status means the Bluetooth link exists, but it does not guarantee that the accessory is currently being used for the function you expect.
If headphones or a speaker have no sound
Start playing audio, then check the current audio output and make sure the Bluetooth accessory is selected.
Also check:
- The accessory's volume.
- The iPhone's media volume.
- Whether the accessory connected to another device simultaneously.
- Whether the accessory supports the type of audio or call function you are trying to use.
If an app-controlled accessory does not respond
Check the app's Bluetooth permission and confirm that the manufacturer's app is current.
If the accessory needs its own setup app
Some Bluetooth accessories require additional setup, firmware installation or registration in their manufacturer's app even after ordinary Bluetooth pairing succeeds.
Bluetooth Keeps Disconnecting
If the accessory connects but repeatedly drops, watch for a pattern.
Does it disconnect:
- Only when you move farther away?
- When the accessory's battery gets low?
- When another paired phone is nearby?
- After connecting to a laptop or car?
- Only with one particular accessory?
Apple's iPhone guide says Bluetooth pairing is intended to occur within roughly 33 feet or 10 meters, although real-world reliability depends on obstacles, interference and the accessory itself.
Move the accessory and iPhone closer together and test again.
If only one Bluetooth device disconnects while several others remain stable, investigate that accessory before resetting the iPhone.
Bluetooth Device Not Showing on iPhone
If the accessory does not appear under Bluetooth at all, forgetting the device will not help unless it has already been paired.
Instead:
- Make sure the accessory is powered on.
- Charge it.
- Place it in discovery mode.
- Move it close to the iPhone.
- Disconnect it from other nearby devices.
- Restart the accessory.
- Keep Settings > Bluetooth open on the iPhone.
If another phone can detect the accessory but the iPhone cannot, restart the iPhone and try again.
If no phone or computer can detect it, the accessory itself becomes much more suspicious.
Bluetooth in Control Center vs Settings
There is an important iPhone behavior that causes a lot of confusion.
Tapping the Bluetooth button in Control Center normally disconnects Bluetooth accessories, but it does not completely disable Bluetooth.
Apple keeps Bluetooth available for services including features such as Apple Watch, AirDrop, Continuity and some location-related functions.
If you want to fully turn Bluetooth off for troubleshooting, go to:
Settings > Bluetooth
and turn Bluetooth off there.
You can then wait briefly and turn it back on.
This distinction is documented in Apple's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Control Center guide.
iPhone Bluetooth Not Connecting to a Car
Car Bluetooth deserves separate troubleshooting because both the iPhone and the infotainment system store pairing information.
If the iPhone no longer connects to your car:
- Open Settings > Bluetooth on the iPhone.
- Forget the car if it appears under My Devices.
- Open the vehicle's Bluetooth device list.
- Delete the iPhone from the vehicle if necessary.
- Restart the iPhone.
- Restart the car's infotainment system if the manufacturer provides a normal restart procedure.
- Put the car into Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Pair the iPhone again.
If the vehicle has reached its maximum number of saved phones, remove old devices before trying again.
Also check whether your vehicle manufacturer provides an infotainment software or firmware update.
Bluetooth audio and wireless CarPlay are related technologies but are not identical problems, so a CarPlay failure should not automatically be treated as ordinary Bluetooth pairing failure.
Update iOS and Accessory Firmware
If the pairing settings appear correct but the problem continues, check both sides for updates.
Update the iPhone
Go to:
Settings > General > Software Update
Install an appropriate available iOS update.
Update the accessory
Some headphones, speakers, fitness trackers, car systems and smart accessories receive firmware updates through their manufacturer's app.
Open the accessory's official app or check its manufacturer's support instructions.
If Bluetooth stopped working immediately after updating the accessory, the accessory manufacturer may also have troubleshooting information specific to that firmware version.
Reset Network Settings
If multiple Bluetooth accessories fail and the simpler steps have not helped, Reset Network Settings can be considered later in the troubleshooting process.
Do not use this as the first fix for one pair of headphones.
Go to:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
Apple says a network reset removes broader network configuration, including previously used network and VPN settings, so you will need to reconnect to networks afterward.
It does not perform the same action as Erase All Content and Settings, but it is still considerably more disruptive than simply forgetting one Bluetooth device.
Apple documents the current reset options in its Reset iPhone Settings guide.
Bluetooth Grayed Out or Won't Turn On
If the Bluetooth switch itself is unavailable, grayed out or refuses to remain enabled, this is different from one accessory failing to pair.
First:
- Restart the iPhone.
- Check for an iOS update.
- Return to Settings > Bluetooth.
- Test Bluetooth again.
If Bluetooth remains unavailable or you cannot connect any Bluetooth accessories, Apple recommends contacting support.
That is a more meaningful warning sign than one individual accessory failing to connect.
When to Contact Apple or the Accessory Manufacturer
The correct support route depends on what your testing shows.
Contact the accessory manufacturer if:
- Only that accessory fails.
- The accessory cannot enter pairing mode.
- No phone or computer can detect it.
- You need firmware or compatibility information.
- It repeatedly shuts down or loses power.
Contact Apple if:
- Bluetooth cannot be turned on.
- The Bluetooth setting remains grayed out.
- No Bluetooth accessories can connect.
- The accessory manufacturer confirms that the accessory is functioning correctly but the iPhone still cannot use it.
These are also the situations Apple identifies for further support in its current Bluetooth troubleshooting guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Bluetooth not working on my iPhone?
The cause may be the accessory rather than the iPhone. Check whether another Bluetooth device connects successfully, then verify the problem accessory's battery, pairing mode and saved connection.
Why won't my iPhone find Bluetooth devices?
The accessory may not be in discovery mode, may already be connected to another device, may be too far away, or may have insufficient battery power.
Why does my Bluetooth device say Not Connected?
That usually means the device has been paired previously but is not currently connected. Turn on the accessory, move it nearby and tap its name. If that fails, forget the device and pair it again.
Why does Bluetooth say Connected but there is no sound?
Check the iPhone's current audio output and make sure the Bluetooth headphones or speaker are selected. Also verify volume and whether the accessory has connected to another device.
Why do my Bluetooth headphones keep disconnecting from my iPhone?
Common causes include low accessory battery, distance, interference, connection to another paired device, outdated firmware or a damaged pairing record.
How do I reset Bluetooth on an iPhone?
There is no separate universal “Reset Bluetooth” button. For one accessory, forget it under Settings > Bluetooth and pair it again. A broader Reset Network Settings option exists but should be reserved for more persistent network problems.
Does turning Bluetooth off in Control Center completely disable it?
No. Apple says the Control Center button disconnects many Bluetooth accessories while Bluetooth remains available for certain Apple services. Use Settings > Bluetooth if you want to turn Bluetooth completely off.
Why won't my iPhone connect to Bluetooth after an iOS update?
Restart both the iPhone and accessory first. Then forget and re-pair the accessory, check for another iOS update and see whether the accessory manufacturer has released new firmware.
Why does one Bluetooth device work but another doesn't?
That usually points toward the individual accessory, its pairing state, battery, compatibility or firmware rather than a complete Bluetooth failure on the iPhone.
Should I reset network settings for Bluetooth problems?
Not for a single accessory as your first step. Try restarting, charging, discovery mode and forgetting the individual Bluetooth device first. Consider the broader network reset when several Bluetooth or network connections are affected.
Will Reset Network Settings delete my photos?
Reset Network Settings is not the Erase All Content and Settings option. It resets network-related configuration rather than deleting your photo library, but it does remove network settings and saved network information.
Why is Bluetooth grayed out on my iPhone?
Restart the iPhone and check for an iOS update. If Bluetooth still cannot be enabled, Apple recommends contacting support.
How close should a Bluetooth device be to an iPhone?
Apple recommends being within roughly 33 feet or 10 meters for pairing. For troubleshooting, place the devices much closer to remove range as a possible cause.
Can an app block a Bluetooth accessory?
An app may lack permission to access Bluetooth even though Bluetooth itself is enabled. Check Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth.
Does Bluetooth cause major iPhone battery drain?
Bluetooth use can consume power, especially with actively connected accessories, but it should not automatically be blamed for severe battery drain. If your overall battery life has dropped significantly, see our iPhone battery draining fast guide.
Final Thoughts
If Bluetooth is not working on your iPhone, first determine whether the problem affects one accessory or every Bluetooth device.
For one problematic accessory, start with its battery, discovery mode and existing pairing. Disconnect it from other phones or computers, forget it on the iPhone and pair it again.
If the accessory depends on an app, check Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth to make sure the app has permission.
If several accessories fail, update the iPhone and consider broader troubleshooting such as Reset Network Settings only after the less disruptive fixes have failed.
Bluetooth that remains grayed out or an iPhone that cannot connect to any working Bluetooth accessory is a stronger reason to contact Apple Support.