Top 12 Fixes for iPhone Can't Find Bluetooth Device

Bluetooth devices have made all of our lives easier by removing the need for wires. It’s hard to even spot someone using a pair of wired headphones these days. However, Bluetooth isn’t as reliable as wired connectivity and often runs into some issues. One problem you may encounter is when your iPhone can’t find a Bluetooth device.

This issue can be caused due to problems either present on your iPhone, or the Bluetooth device. In this article, we’ll show you twelve methods using which you can fix the problem. But first, let us understand why this problem occurs in the first place.

Why is Bluetooth Not Finding Devices on iPhone

Here are some of the possible reasons why your iPhone can’t find Bluetooth devices.

• The Bluetooth device is out of the connectivity range.
• The Bluetooth device is not in pairing mode.
• Your Bluetooth device is already connected to another device.
• Your Bluetooth device is running out of battery.
• Software bugs on your iPhone.
• The firmware on your Bluetooth device is facing a few issues.

In the next section of the article, we’ll elaborate on the above reasons and help you easily fix the problem.

iPhone Bluetooth Not Finding Devices: 12 Ways to Fix the Issue

Here are twelve methods, with step-by-step instructions to fix the problem and ensure your iPhone detects the Bluetooth device. Let’s begin.

1. Bring the Bluetooth Device Closer to Your iPhone

If you are trying to connect to a Bluetooth device that is far away from your iPhone – bring it closer. If the device is too far away, it may be outside the range of connectivity. Therefore, your iPhone will not be able to detect the device.

2. Enter Pairing Mode on Bluetooth Device

A few Bluetooth devices can be connected only if you enable the pairing mode. Hence, read the device manually and check if you need to enable the pairing mode to connect the device.

3. Check Battery Levels on the Bluetooth Device

Bluetooth devices have an LED indicator, and if it is glowing in the red color – then it is running out of charge. Recharge the batteries, and check if you can connect the Bluetooth device to your iPhone,

4. Connect to a 5GHz Band Wi-Fi

If you are using a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band, there is a possibility that you might face interference. This is because Bluetooth also uses a 2.4GHz frequency band, and this can cause the signals to overlap. Therefore, the interference ends up causing problems and can affect the Bluetooth connectivity. Hence, switch to a 5 GHz Band Wi-Fi, or disconnect your Wi-Fi to check if your iPhone can find the Bluetooth device.

5. Disconnect Your Bluetooth Device From Other Devices

Some Bluetooth devices and earphones may not be able to connect to multiple devices at once. So, if your iPhone can’t find the Bluetooth device, it may have connected to another device. So unpair it from that.

6. Disconnect Other Connected Devices on Your iPhone

There isn’t a clear reason why this method fixes the problem, but you can try disconnecting all the other connected devices via Bluetooth on your iPhone. Once you do that, try to search for the device and see if your iPhone can find it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on Bluetooth.

Step 3: Tap on the connected Bluetooth device to disconnect it from your iPhone.

If this does not work too, update the firmware of your Bluetooth device.

Some Bluetooth devices come with a dedicated app to configure them. These apps provide you with an option to update the firmware. If your iPhone can’t find the Bluetooth device, and it is a widespread issue for many users, the developers will certainly fix it over an update.

For example, here’s how it looks on the dedicated app for Samsung Bluetooth devices to update the firmware.

You can search for these apps on the App Store and update the firmware within the app. Similarly, these apps also provide you an option to reset the Bluetooth device if nothing else works.

8. Reset Bluetooth Device

Resetting the Bluetooth device will reset all the applied configurations to their defaults. There is a good possibility that most issues are fixed. This is also possible on the official app for the Bluetooth device. Here’s how it looks on the Samsung Galaxy Buds app.

This problem might be caused due to some bugs on your iPhone too. If the bug that causes Bluetooth devices to not be found on your iPhone is widespread, Apple will certainly release an update. Here’s how you can check for an update on your iPhone.

Step 1: Open the Setting app.

Step 2: Tap on General.

Step 3: Tap on Software Update.

Step 4: If you are already on the latest update, your iPhone will show that you are. If not, you will get an option to update your iPhone.

10. Reset Network Settings on iPhone

Resetting the network settings on your iPhone will reset all the default configurations related to your Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Bluetooth networks. If your iPhone can’t find the Bluetooth device, this is quite an effective fix.

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on General.

Step 3: Select ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’ and tap on Reset.

Step 4: Lastly, tap Reset Network Settings. This will ensure all your network settings are restored to their original states.

If this does not work too, as a last resort, you can reset all the settings on your iPhone.

11. Reset iPhone

To pinpoint a misconfiguration causing an issue on your iPhone is difficult. Therefore, as a last resort, you can consider bringing back all settings and configurations to their default states. This is what resetting an iPhone does without deleting any of your data. There is a good chance that all the issues related to Bluetooth will be fixed too.

Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app and select General.

Step 2: Select ‘Transfer & Reset iPhone’.

Step 3: Tap on Reset.

Step 4: Now, tap on ‘Reset All Settings’ to return all the settings and configurations of your iPhone to default.

If none of the above methods fix the issue, contact Apple customer care and they may help you detect any hardware-related problems on your iPhone. If your iPhone does not have any problem, then you can contact the manufacturer of your Bluetooth device to check for any problems.

If you have any further questions, you can take a look at the FAQ section below.

FAQs on iPhone Not Discovering Bluetooth

1. How to reset Bluetooth on iPhone?

You cannot reset Bluetooth on your iPhone. However, you can only reset the network settings on your iPhone to reset Bluetooth.

2. What is the range of Bluetooth connectivity for iPhone?

Your iPhone must be within 10 meters while you are using the Bluetooth device.

Discover and Connect to Bluetooth Devices on iPhone

We hope this article helps you discover and connect to Bluetooth devices on iPhone with ease. Bluetooth can often be unreliable at times, therefore, we always recommend keeping a pair of wired headphones/earphones in times like these.

Bluetooth is the wireless technology behind cable-free speakers, headphones, keyboards, and other devices that make modern life so mobile. When you experience your Bluetooth not working, basic activities like listening to music or using CarPlay become inconvenient and frustrating. I’ll cover how to reset Bluetooth on iPhones with and without a Home button.

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5 Steps to Fix Bluetooth Not Working on iPhone

If you are experiencing Bluetooth not connecting or if your Bluetooth won’t stay connected follow these steps in order. If Bluetooth is unavailable on your device, skip to the final section to learn how to reset your network settings.

1. Turn Your iPhone Bluetooth Off & On Again

Very often just turning off your iPhone Bluetooth and then restarting your phone can get your Bluetooth connection working properly again. These are the steps to follow:

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1. Go to Settings.
   
   
2. Tap Bluetooth.
   
   
    
3. Toggle Bluetooth off, so it goes from green to gray.
   
   
4. Restart your iPhone.
5. Return to Bluetooth Settings.
6. Toggle Bluetooth on, so it goes from gray to green.
   
   

If you tried this and are wondering why is Bluetooth not finding devices? Skip to step 4.

Related: How to Add a Device to Bluetooth

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2. Disconnect the Bluetooth Device from Your iPhone

If turning your iPhone Bluetooth off and on again doesn't work, the next option is to disconnect and reconnect the device from your Bluetooth settings:

1. Go to Settings.
   
   
2. Select Bluetooth.
   
   
3. Find the device that is causing trouble and tap on the info icon next to it.
   
   
4. Tap Disconnect.
   
   
5. Turn the device off and back on.
6. If the device doesn’t reconnect automatically, return to Bluetooth settings and tap the name of the device to reconnect.
   
   

Still experiencing troubles and wondering "why won't my Bluetooth connect?" We have three more steps for you to try!

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3. Unpair & Re-pair the Bluetooth Device to Your iPhone

If the device won't connect at all or it doesn't reconnect after you've turned it off and back on, try forgetting it and pairing again:

1. From Bluetooth Settings, tap on the info icon next to the device.
   
   
2. Tap Forget This Device.
   
   
3. Confirm that you want your iPhone to forget the device.
   
   
4. The device should reappear at the bottom (you may need to put it in pairing mode) and you can pair it to your iPhone again.
   
   

Still wondering, "why is my Bluetooth not working?" The next two steps should be able to help!

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4. Hard Restart If iPhone Bluetooth Is Still Not Connecting

Rebooting your iPhone is a basic troubleshooting step that often solves many common issues, including when your iPhone Bluetooth is not connecting.

To hard restart the iPhone X and later:

1. Quickly click and release the Volume Up button.
2. Quickly click and release the Volume Down button.
3. Click and hold the Side button.
   
   
    

To hard restart iPhone 7 or 8:

1. Simultaneously press and hold your Sleep/Wake button (located on the right side of the iPhone near the top) and your Volume Down button.
2. Continue holding your Sleep/Wake button and down volume button until the Apple logo appears to power your iPhone back up.
   
   

To hard restart older iPhones with Home buttons:

1. Press and hold the Home button and the Side button simultaneously.
2. Hold both buttons down for at least ten seconds. You will see the white screen with a black Apple logo and then you can release the buttons.
   
   

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5. Update Your iPhone's Software

If your Bluetooth is still not connecting don't give up just yet. It may be that your phone needs a software update. Here's how to do that:

1. Make sure you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, as updates require a Wi-Fi connection and more than 50 percent battery.
   
   
2. Go to Settings.
   
   
3. Tap  General.
   
   
4. Select Software Update.
   
   
5. If there is an update available, tap Download and Install. If your software is up to date, skip to the next section.
   
   
    
6. Once the software update has been completed, the new iOS will install automatically, and your phone will restart.

Keep in mind that if you are running beta software, you may experience unusual errors, including Bluetooth not working. Consider trying to remove beta software from your iPhone next. If your Bluetooth still won't work, there could be a more serious problem and you should contact Apple support directly.

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What to Do When iPhone Bluetooth Is Unavailable

When your iPhone Bluetooth appears unavailable in your Settings, and you've already updated your iPhone’s software, you may need to reset your Network Settings. This will cause your iPhone to forget all Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices you have previously connected to, so only do this as a last resort.

Reset your Network Settings:

1. Go to Settings.
   
   
2. Tap General.
   
   
3. Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
   
   
4. Tap Reset, be careful not to tap any other settings as you could erase your iPhone.
   
   
5. Tap Reset Network Settings.
   
   
    
6. You may need to enter your passcode and confirm that you want to reset your Network Settings on the following screen.

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It can be frustrating if your Bluetooth won't connect, so we hope our troubleshooting steps have fixed your problems once and for good! We hope you will never have to wonder why your Bluetooth isn't working again. Next, learn how to rename your AirPods on your iPhone.