How to Connect Bluetooth Devices to iPhone

Connecting a Bluetooth device to your iPhone lets you use wireless headphones, speakers, keyboards, and more. This guide walks you through pairing, reconnecting, and fixing common issues. You’ll need your iPhone and the Bluetooth device you want to connect, charged and ready.

What You’ll Need

Your iPhone (with iOS 13 or later for best compatibility)
The Bluetooth device you want to connect (headphones, speaker, keyboard, etc.)
The device’s charging cable or batteries (if it needs power)
Any instructions that came with the device (for entering pairing mode)

Step-by-Step

Turn on Bluetooth on your iPhone. Open the Settings app (the gear icon). Tap Bluetooth and toggle the switch at the top to On (it turns green). You can also do this from Control Center: swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models) and tap the Bluetooth icon.
Put your Bluetooth device in pairing mode. This is the most important step. For most headphones and speakers, press and hold the power button or a dedicated Bluetooth button until you see a blinking light (usually blue and red alternating). For keyboards, there’s often a small button on the back or side. Check your device’s manual if you’re unsure—pairing mode usually lasts only a few minutes.
Keep the device close to your iPhone. Bring it within a few feet (about 1 meter) to ensure a strong signal during pairing.
Find your device in the Bluetooth settings. On your iPhone, under the Bluetooth toggle, you’ll see a list under Other Devices. Your device should appear there with its name (e.g., “Sony WH-1000XM4” or “Logitech K380”).
Tap the device name to pair. If asked for a PIN or passcode, try 0000 or 1234 for most speakers and headphones. For keyboards, you may need to type the code shown on your iPhone’s screen using the keyboard itself, then press Enter.
Wait for the connection. After tapping, the device will move to the My Devices list and show “Connected”. You’ll also see the battery level if the device reports it.
Test the connection. Play some audio or type something to confirm it works. If you’re using headphones, you should hear sound through them. For a keyboard, open a text field and start typing.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to put the device in pairing mode. Many devices don’t automatically enter pairing mode when turned on—they may need a long press on the power button or a separate Bluetooth button.
Having the device already connected to another phone. If your headphones are connected to your laptop, they won’t show up as available. Disconnect them from the other device first, or turn that device’s Bluetooth off.
Not checking the battery. A low battery can prevent pairing. Charge your device before trying.
Ignoring the “Other Devices” list. Your device may appear there even if it’s not in “My Devices” yet. Tap it to pair.
Assuming all devices use the same pairing method. Some devices require you to hold a button for 7 seconds, others for 3. Always check the manual if the standard method doesn’t work.

Tips

Keep your iPhone’s Bluetooth on to make reconnecting automatic. When you turn your headphones on, they’ll usually reconnect to the last paired phone.
Name your devices so you can tell them apart. In Settings > Bluetooth, tap the “i” icon next to a device and tap Name to change it.
Use Control Center for quick toggling. Swipe down from the top-right and long-press the Bluetooth icon to see connected devices and tap to switch.
For keyboards, use the on-screen keyboard as a fallback. If your physical keyboard disconnects, you can still type with the on-screen one.
Update your iPhone’s software regularly—Bluetooth fixes are often included in iOS updates.

Troubleshooting

Device doesn’t show up in the list: Make sure it’s in pairing mode and close to your iPhone. If it still doesn’t appear, turn Bluetooth off and on again on your iPhone, or restart your iPhone. If the device has been paired before, forget it first (see below).

Device shows “Not Connected” or won’t reconnect: Tap the “i” icon next to the device and choose Forget This Device. Then put the device back in pairing mode and pair it again from scratch.

Audio is choppy or keeps cutting out: Move closer to your iPhone, and remove any obstacles like walls or metal objects. Also, try turning off Wi-Fi on your iPhone temporarily—2.4GHz Wi-Fi can interfere with Bluetooth.

Keyboard types but characters are wrong: The keyboard layout may be set incorrectly. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Hardware Keyboard to choose the correct layout (e.g., ANSI vs ISO).

Device connects but no sound: Check the volume on your iPhone and on the device itself. Also, make sure the device is selected as the audio output—open Control Center, tap the AirPlay icon (a triangle with circles) and choose your device.

Multiple devices connected to your iPhone: Your iPhone can connect to several Bluetooth devices at once, but audio output goes to only one. Use the AirPlay menu to select which one you want for audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I put my device in pairing mode if it doesn’t have a button?
A: Some devices (like AirPods) pair automatically when you open the case near your iPhone. For others, check the manual—it might be a combination of buttons or a touch-and-hold on the surface.

Q: Can I connect multiple Bluetooth speakers to my iPhone at once?
A: Yes, with iOS 13.4 or later, you can use Audio Sharing to play to two pairs of AirPods or some Beats headphones. For other speakers, you can’t stream to multiple simultaneously unless the app supports it.

Q: Why does my device keep disconnecting?
A: This is often due to low battery, interference, or the device being out of range. Try charging the device, moving closer, and forgetting/re-pairing it.

Q: Do I need to turn off Bluetooth when not in use to save battery?
A: Not really—Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) uses very little power. Leaving it on is fine and makes reconnecting faster.

Q: Can I connect a Bluetooth mouse to my iPhone?
A: Yes, iOS supports Bluetooth mice. Pair it the same way as a keyboard, and you’ll see a cursor on the screen.

Q: What should I do if my device asks for a PIN and I don’t know it?
A: Try 0000, 1234, or 1111. For keyboards, the PIN is often displayed on the iPhone screen—type it using the keyboard.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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