iOS: Third-party Bluetooth headsets, headphones, and keyboards

Summary

You can use iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with many Bluetooth accessories, including stereo headphones, stereo headsets, and keyboards. This article outlines basic setup and troubleshooting suggestions for using Bluetooth accessories with an iOS device.

Products Affected

iPad, iPad Accessories, iPhone, iPhone Accessories, iPod touch (2nd generation), iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation)

Before you can use a Bluetooth accessory with an iOS device, you need to pair it.

About pairing a Bluetooth accessory

Pairing sets up your iOS device to work with a specific Bluetooth accessory.

How to pair with a Bluetooth accessory

  1. Follow the instructions that came with the headset or car kit to make it discoverable or to set it to search for other Bluetooth accessories. This may involve entering a passkey or PIN (Personal Identification Number).
  2. From the Home screen, choose Settings > General > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on. The iOS device searches for nearby Bluetooth accessories.
    Note: While your iOS device can maintain multiple pairing records, it can only connect to one headset or hands-free device at a time. This prevents your iOS device from sending your data to the wrong Bluetooth accessory.
  3. Choose the Bluetooth accessory, and then enter a passkey or PIN if prompted.
    • Bluetooth headset: Refer to the documentation for the headset to determine the passkey.
    • Bluetooth keyboard: Type the passcode displayed on the iOS device on the Bluetooth keyboard and then press Return.
  4. When pairing is complete, you can use the Bluetooth accessory with your iOS device.

How to route calls and FaceTime through a Bluetooth headset, Bluetooth stereo headphones, car kit, or iOS device

After you've paired a Bluetooth accessory* to work with your iOS device, you must make a connection to have the iOS device use the accessory for your calls. To connect with a third-party Bluetooth accessory, see the documentation that came with it.

When your iOS device is connected to a Bluetooth accessory, all outgoing calls are routed through the Bluetooth accessory by default. Incoming calls are routed through the Bluetooth accessory if you answer the call with it, or through your iOS device if you answer with it. In some cases, your contacts list transfers to the car kit and you can start a call by looking up a contact on the car kit's display.

After you have paired your iOS device with a Bluetooth car kit, your iOS device connects to the car kit automatically when you start your car (if you have your iOS device with you and Bluetooth is turned on). Find more information about car-stereo connectivity.

How to check Bluetooth status

You can see whether Bluetooth is on or off, and whether a Bluetooth accessory is connected to an iOS device, by looking at the Bluetooth icon in the status bar at the top of the screen:

  • or (white): Bluetooth is on and a device is connected to the iOS device.
  • (gray): Bluetooth is on but no device is connected. If you've paired a device with an iOS device, it may be out of range or turned off.
  • No Bluetooth icon in status bar: Bluetooth is turned off.

How to stop using a Bluetooth accessory

There are a few ways to stop using a Bluetooth accessory so that you can go back to hearing calls through your iOS device, using the built-in keyboard, and using other functions of your iOS device.

Route calls and FaceTime through your iOS device

  • Answer a call by tapping the touchscreen.
  • During a call, tap Audio on your iOS device. Choose your iOS device to hear calls through it, choose Speaker Phone to hear calls through the speakerphone, or choose a connected Bluetooth accessory.
  • Turn off Bluetooth.
  • Turn off the Bluetooth accessory, or move out of range. You must be within 30 feet of a Bluetooth accessory for it to be connected to your iOS device.

To turn off the iPhone Bluetooth Headset, press and hold the button until you hear the falling tones.

Unpairing a Bluetooth accessory from an iOS device

If you've paired your iOS device with a Bluetooth accessory and no longer wish to use that accessory, you may unpair it. If you wish to leave the device paired, but route calls through a second, paired device, turn off the first device and then turn on the second device. Then in Settings > General > Bluetooth, tap on the device you wish to use.

  1. From the Home screen choose Settings > General > Bluetooth. If Bluetooth isn't on, turn it on.
  2. Choose a device and tap Unpair.
  3. Until you pair the Bluetooth accessory again, your iOS device won't route information through it.

* Find information on which iOS versions and devices support which Bluetooth profiles. Not all Bluetooth stereo headphones include a mic. Only those with a mic and that support handsfree profile (HFP 1.5) can be used to make and receive calls.

Additional Information

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Below are some simple steps you can take to troubleshoot Bluetooth connectivity between iOS devices and Bluetooth accessories.

Note: Certain features may not be available when using iOS with third-party Bluetooth accessories. Accessories can offer custom features that do not fully conform to industry-standard Bluetooth protocols. In addition, changes to the iOS (made to ensure compatibility with industry standards) may affect accessory functionality. You may notice that certain Bluetooth features no longer function as expected after updating to the latest version of iOS. This is expected behavior and does not indicate an issue with your iOS device.

Intermittent iOS-to-Bluetooth accessory connectivity

  • Check for possible sources of radio-frequency (RF) interference.
  • Move your iOS device closer to the Bluetooth accessory. Try to remove any obstructions to line of sight (for example, position the Bluetooth accessory and iOS device on the same side of your body).
  • Move the iOS device and the Bluetooth accessory away from other electronic devices.
  • A low battery charge may also limit the range of the Bluetooth accessory, so make sure it's fully charged.

Remove pairing records

When troubleshooting an issue with a previously paired accessory, first remove the pairing record from the iOS device.

  1. Access the Bluetooth settings screen: Settings > General > Bluetooth.
  2. Tap the arrow next to the accessory on the Bluetooth Settings screen.
  3. Tap "Forget this Device" to delete the pairing record.

Unable to find nearby Bluetooth accessories

  1. If a pairing record already exists, the device does not appear as discoverable. Try to connect the device using that pairing record.
  2. If you are unable to connect using the existing pairing record, delete the record and pair again.
  3. Ensure that the firmware or software on the Bluetooth accessory is up to date.
  4. Ensure that the Bluetooth accessory is charged or connected to power.
  5. Verify that the Bluetooth accessory is using a profile that works with the iOS device.
  6. Turn off both the iOS device and the Bluetooth accessory, then turn both devices on again.
  7. If the issue persists, test Bluetooth with another device or consult the manufacturer's documentation.

Unable to pair with Bluetooth accessory

  1. Ensure that the Bluetooth accessory is in range. Most devices have a range of approximately 30 feet.
  2. If a pairing record already exists with the Bluetooth accessory, the device will not show up as discoverable. Try connecting the device using that pairing record, or delete the record and try to pair again.
  3. Ensure that the firmware or software on the Bluetooth accessory is up to date.
  4. Verify the PIN for the device. You may need to refer to your manufacturer's documentation for this.
  5. Ensure that the Bluetooth accessory is charged or connected to power.
  6. Turn off both the iOS device and the Bluetooth accessory, then turn both devices on again.
  7. If the issue persists, test Bluetooth with another device or consult the manufacturer's documentation.

Cannot connect to a paired device

  1. Ensure that the Bluetooth accessory is in range. Most devices have a range of approximately thirty feet.
  2. Delete the pairing record and pair again.
  3. Ensure that the firmware or software on the Bluetooth accessory is up to date.
  4. Ensure that the Bluetooth accessory is charged or connected to power.
  5. Turn off both the iOS device and the Bluetooth accessory, and then turn both devices on again.
  6. If the issue persists, test Bluetooth with another device or consult the manufacturer's documentation.

Difficulties with music playback through Bluetooth stereo headphones

If you have difficulties with music playback through your Bluetooth stereo headphones, take the following steps to resume music playback. First, attempt to pause and resume music playback. Then, if the issue persists:

  1. Delete the pairing record, and pair again.
  2. Ensure that the firmware or software on the Bluetooth accessory is up to date.
  3. Ensure that the Bluetooth accessory is charged or connected to power.
  4. Turn off both the iOS device and the Bluetooth accessory, then turn both devices on again.
  5. If the issue persists, test Bluetooth with another device or consult the manufacturer's documentation.

Difficulties with Siri and Voice Control through Bluetooth accessories

Siri and Voice Control over Bluetooth require support for the BVRA protocol. This feature is not available with all Bluetooth devices. Refer to the manufacturer's documentation for additional information.

Read more about Siri and about Voice Control.

Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
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