10 Quick Ways to Fix iPhone Bluetooth Not Working Problem

User Concern

“I have recently purchased iPhone 16 and it prompted an update 18.5. After the update my bluetooth devices do not stay connected and forces me to reconnect or repair. Is there any suggestion on this issue?”

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that lets your iPhone connect to nearby accessories like Apple Watch, AirPods, speakers, keybords, your car stero, and more

However, after updating to iOS 18 or due to other reasons, your iPhone bluetooth may stop working properly and prevent your phone from connecting to other devices.

Don't worry! In this article, we'll explain why your iPhone bluetooth is not working and show you how to solve the porblem in no time.

Why is the Bluetooth on My iPhone Not Working?

Here are some common reasons your Bluetooth may not work on your iPhone:

• Low Battery on Bluetooth Device: The accessory you're trying to connect to may have insufficient battery to maintain a stable Bluetooth connection.
• Bluetooth Device Not in Range: If the device you’re trying to connect to is too far away or not in pairing mode, your iPhone won’t detect it.
• Corrupted Bluetooth Settings: Old or conflicting Bluetooth configurations can prevent successful pairing with new or previously connected devices.
• Interference from Other Devices: Nearby wireless devices, Wi-Fi networks, or even USB 3.0 ports can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth signals.
• Software Glitches: Temporary bugs or glitches in iOS may interfere with Bluetooth functionality.
• Hardware Issues: Physical damage (like water exposure or a drop) could affect the iPhone’s Bluetooth antenna or internal chip.

Considering these possible causes, we will introduce the most feasible solutions to iPhone Bluetooth not working problem.

How to Fix Bluetooth Not Working on iPhone Issue?

1. Turn Bluetooth Off and Back On Again

If your iPhone Bluetooth has been ON for a long time, it might fail to work properly. The simplest way to solve the Bluetooth not working issue is turning off the Bluetooth and then enabling it again.

• From Settings: Go to Settings > Bluetooth, switch it off, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.
• Using Control Center: Swipe down to open the Control Center, tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it off, then tap it again to enable it.
• With Siri: Say “Hey Siri, turn off Bluetooth,” then “Hey Siri, turn on Bluetooth” to quickly reset the Bluetooth connection with your voice.

After turning off Bluetooth and back on again, try pairing your iPhone and Bluetooth device again to see if it got the job done.

2. Toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode Off

Sometimes, Wi-Fi and Airplane mode can interface with your iPhone's ability to connect to the Bluetooth network. You can fix the issue by toggling the Wi-Fi and Airplane mode off.

It is very simple to do. Just open the Control Center on your iPhone, tap on the Wi-Fi icon and turn it off. If turning Wi-Fi off didn't fix the problem. You can open the Control Center again, tap on the Airplane icon and turn it off.

3. Ensure Your Devices Are Within Range

Bluetooth works a bit like a walkie-talkie - the farther your iPhone is from the other device, the weaker the connection can get. To improve Bluetooth performance, make sure the devices are close to each other.

Ideally, keep your iPhone and the Bluetooth device within 10 meters (around 30 feet). During the initial pairing, it's best to keep them very close - about 2 to 3 feet apart. Once paired, you can usually move a bit farther away without losing the connection.

4. Restart Your iPhone & Bluetooth Device

The nest step is to restart your iPhone or iPad, which could clear some minor glitches and make the device works as usual.

• Press and hold the Side button with either Volume button (for iPhone with Home button, just hold the Side button).
• When Slide to power off screen appears, drag the slider to turn off your device.
• Once the screen turns black completely, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

Restarting your Bluetooth device can also help fix connection issues. After restarting your iPhone, turn off your Bluetooth device by holding its power button. Wait about 30 seconds, then turn it back on.

5. Forget Bluetooth Accessory and Add It Back

Usually, your iPhone or iPad will automatically pair with Bluetooth accessories when detect them. When iPhone is not connecting to a Bluetooth accessory or Bluetooth is not working due to corrupt connection, you can try to forget the device and pair it again manually from Settings. Follow the simple steps below:

• Ensure the Bluetooth accessory is fully charged and put it into pairing mode.
• On your iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, then you will find a list of Bluetooth devices.
• Find the one you can't connect with and click on the i icon, then tap on Forget This Device.
• After that, pair the Bluetooth device and your iPhone again. You will see Connected when pairing is done.

6. Enable Bluetooth for Third-Party Apps

If you can pair your iPhone with a Bluetooth accessory normally, however, you can't use it with any apps. Then you need to change the Bluetooth Privacy settings.

Here's what you need to do: head to Settings > Privacy > Bluetooth and enable Bluetooth for all the third-party apps that you wan tto use the accessory with.

Note

Keep in mind that app developers can use Bluetooth access to collect information about you, so you should only enable Bluetooth for the apps that you trust.

7. Reset Network Settings on iPhone

When experiencing iPhone Bluetooth not working problem, and nothing seems to fix, you can try to reset network settings. Please note that all your Bluetooth connections and Wi-Fi networks will be removed and you'll need to add those again.

• On your iPhone, head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
• Tap Reset and select the Reset Network Settings option. Then, enter your passcode when prompted.
• Tap Reset Network Settings again when asked to confirm your action.

8. Update iOS to the Latest Version

In some cases, iPhone Bluetooth connecting issues can be fixed with the software update. You can update your iPhone, iPad to the latest version of iOS wirelessly or using iTunes. Here's how to update your device wirelessly:

• Connect your iPhone to a stable Wi-Fi network and a power source.
• Head to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Tap Download and Install, then follow the onscreen instruction to complete software update.

9. Ultimate Way to Fix iPhone Bluetooth Not Working

If you’ve tried all the solutions above and Bluetooth still isn’t working on your iPhone, consider using a professional iOS repair tool like FoneGeek iOS System Recovery.

This reliable tool can fix various iOS problems, including Bluetooth not working, Wi-Fi dropping, hotspot issues, iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, Recovery Mode, boot loops, black screens, and more without losing any data. It works with all major iPhone models and fully supports iOS 18.

How to Fix iPhone Bluetooth Not Working Problem without Data Loss:

Step 1: Install and run FoneGeek iOS System Recovery software. On the home page, choose "Standard Repair".

Step 2: Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer, wait for the program to detect the device.

Step 3: Tap on "Download" to download the firmware that is compatible with your device.

Step 4: Once the download is complete, click on "Fix Now" and the program will start to fix Bluetooth not working issue on your iPhone.

10. Get A Hardware Repair

If all else failed and your iPhone Bluetooth is still not working, then it may be hardware related problems. In this situation, don't try to fix it by yourself. We suggest you contact Apple Support to get a hardware repair. If your iPhone is still under warranty, Apple should help you repair or replace your device for free. If not, you will need to pay for this yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions about iPhone Bluetooth

Q: Can I connect multiple Bluetooth devices to my iPhone?

A: Yes, you can connect multiple Bluetooth devices to your iPhone starting from iPhone 8 and later models. You can select the devices you want to connect to in the Bluetooth settings and even label them for easy recognition.

Q: How do I connect my Bluetooth headphones to my iPhone?

A: Connecting Bluetooth headphones to your iPhone is a simple process. Follow the pairing instructions provided by the headphone manufacturer. If you're not sure how to do this, consult the user manual or check the manufacturer's website.

Q: How do I reset the Bluetooth on my iPhone or iPad?

A: There isn't a dedicated button to reset Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad. However, you can disconnect all connected devices and restart your device. This clears the Bluetooth cache and may help to fix any pairing issues.

Q: Why can't my iPhone find Bluetooth devices?

A: There are various reasons why your iPhone may not find Bluetooth devices, including disconnection, software, or hardware issues. Ensure that your Bluetooth is on and that the device you're trying to connect to is activated. Try reconnecting both devices. If this doesn't work, try one of the solutions discussed in this article to fix the issue.

The Bottom Line

In this tutorial, we’ve explored in detail how to fix iPhone Bluetooth not working issue. Based on our research, there are 10 effective solutions to help you resolve Bluetooth connection problems between your iPhone and other devices.

As you can see, troubleshooting a high-tech device like the iPhone isn’t always easy. That’s why we recommend using FoneGeek iOS System Recovery - an all-in-one tool that can quickly and easily repair your iPhone Bluetooth problems with just one click, making it perfect even for beginners.