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Bluetooth is designed to link two electronic devices via a short-range wireless connection. This technology lets iPhone users connect their iPhone to keyboards, headsets and even automobiles. Sometimes, iPhones will inexplicably not connect to Bluetooth. There are several reasons that stop Bluetooth from working on iPhones. This step-by-step guide explains these reasons, and it shows users how to fix iPhones that will not connect to Bluetooth.
Before troubleshooting, the iPhone user needs to check several of the phone's functions to make sure they are in working order. He should first make sure that Bluetooth is enabled. To enable Bluetooth, the user must start from the bottom of the iPhone's screen and swipe his finger to the top of the screen. This swiping motion opens the phone's control center. From the control center, the user must tap on the Bluetooth icon. When the icon turns blue, Bluetooth is enabled.
Next, the user needs to ensure that the device he wants to which connect his iPhone is within a short enough distance to the iPhone. Although Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices connect to an iPhone over a wireless network, Bluetooth devices require the iPhone to be in close range to the device in order for the iPhone to connect. Usually, the maximum distance an iPhone can be from a Bluetooth device is approximately 30 feet. However, when troubleshooting, the user's iPhone should be placed directly beside the Bluetooth device.
If the iPhone will not connect even when it is next to the Bluetooth device, the user should try to simultaneously connect his phone to two different Bluetooth devices. In the event that the iPhone connects to only one device, the problem lies within the unconnected Bluetooth device as opposed to the user's iPhone.
If the user determines that the Bluetooth device is not the cause of the issue, he should further investigate the problem. He must determine whether the phone's hardware or software is the source of the iPhone's inability to connect to Bluetooth.
There is an antenna on the iPhone allows the phone to connect to Wi-Fi as well as Bluetooth. If the user notices that the phone has a problem making a Wi-Fi connection, then the phone has a possible hardware issue.
Restarting the iPhone is a straightforward way to correct a software glitch that is responsible for the non-connectivity problem.
To turn off the iPhone, the user should press down the power button until the phone instructs the user to slide the power icon. After swiping the icon to the right, the user should wait about 30 seconds for the phone to complete the power off process.
Then, the user should press down the power button to turn on the iPhone. Apple's logo will be shown on the screen. Once the iPhone finishes the power on process, the user should attempt to connect the phone to the Bluetooth device.
A quick shut off and turn on of the iPhone's Bluetooth function can fix a pairing glitch. The user has three options for turning off and turning on Bluetooth.
In order to shut off Bluetooth from the settings application, the user should open the phone's settings app and select Bluetooth. Next, the user must tap the Bluetooth switch; when Bluetooth shuts off, this switch becomes gray. Then, he needs to tap the Bluetooth switch again to turn on Bluetooth, which will cause the switch to become green.
The user must first swipe his finger from below the bottom of the display to the top of the display in order to access the control center. Then, he should tap on the icon that looks like the letter B, which is the Bluetooth icon. When Bluetooth is off, this icon turns black and gray. Finally, the user should once again tap the icon. The icon should turn white and blue, indicating that Bluetooth is enabled.
Another way to enable and disable Bluetooth is with Siri's help. Through the voice command of hey Siri or by pressing down the home button, the user can activate Siri. Then, he should tell Siri to turn off Bluetooth, which will shut off Bluetooth's functionality. A simple voice command of turn on Bluetooth will enable Bluetooth.
Once the user disables and enables Bluetooth by following any of the above methods, he should try to pair his Bluetooth device and iPhone to determine whether the issue is corrected.
Shutting off and turning on the Bluetooth device's pairing mode may correct a software glitch with the device's Bluetooth connectivity.
Most Bluetooth devices are equipped with a button or switch that allows the user to easily turn off and turn on the device's pairing mode. The user should either flip the switch or hold down the button to turn off pairing mode. After approximately 30 seconds, the should flip the switch or hold down the button again to turn on pairing mode. Then, he can try to connect his Bluetooth device to the iPhone.
By forgetting a Bluetooth device on the iPhone, the connection information for the Bluetooth device no longer exists on the phone. Therefore, when the user pairs the devices, the iPhone will make a fresh connection to the device. To make the iPhone forget a Bluetooth device, the user must open the phone's settings app and choose Bluetooth. Then, he must tap the information icon located next to the device he wants the phone to forget. Next, the user must follow the phone's prompt that instructs him to tap to forget the device. Once the phone forgets the device, the device's listing will no longer be shown in the Bluetooth category under my devices in the settings app.
After following the above instructions, the user should reconnect the Bluetooth device to his iPhone by enabling pairing mode on the device. If the device pairs to the iPhone, the user does not have to troubleshoot further because the issue should be resolved. However, if the user is still encountering connectivity problems, he should try a software reset.
A network settings reset clears out all of the data that the iPhone stores for the user's virtual private network, or VPN, Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices. By erasing these settings, the user may be able to fix some complex problems with the iPhone's software. However, the user should note the password for every Wi-Fi connection before starting the network reset instructions because he will need to enter the passwords later.
To reset the network settings, the user must open the phone's settings app and select general followed by reset, which is the last option on the list. After he chooses reset, the user must select reset network settings. Then, he will be prompted to input his passcode. After he enters the passcode, the network settings will reset. At this point, the iPhone should restart itself. The reset process is complete when the phone restarts.
After the user resets the network settings, he should attempt to pair his Bluetooth device to the iPhone. It is important for the user to keep in mind that all of the data for the Bluetooth device that used to be on the iPhone was erased during the network reset. Therefore, the devices will connect like it was the first time they have been paired.
The last troubleshooting step to fix software on an iPhone that will not connect to Bluetooth is called a DFU, or device firmware update, restore. Out of all of the restore processes a person can perform on an iPhone, the DFU restore process is the most comprehensive one, so it needs to be the user's last attempt at fixing a Bluetooth connectivity problem. It is crucial that the user backs up the data on his iPhone to his iCloud or iTunes account before he begins the DFU restore process. In addition, the user should be aware that if his iPhone has any kind of damage, a DFU restore may break the phone, so the user should proceed with caution.
Although the Bluetooth troubleshooting steps outlined above can often fix the issue that prevents the iPhone from connecting to a Bluetooth device, the user may not have any success at solving the problem. In this case, the user must get his iPhone repaired. He can opt to repair his phone through an Apple Genius Bar or the company's mail-in service. The user may also use a third-party repair company if he wants to save a little bit of money.
With an on-site repair company, the user can have a repair technician who is certified to fix Apple devices visit his home. In under an hour, the iPhone can be fixed, and the user will receive a lifetime warranty on the repair. However, if the user prefers to mail in his phone, there are third-party mail-in repair companies that offer short-term warranties on iPhone repairs.
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