Android · Devices

View and manage the history of paired accessories

This screen lists every Bluetooth accessory, Chromecast, or other device the phone has connected to in the past, even if currently disconnected or out of range, so you can reconnect, rename, or permanently forget them.

How to open Previously Connected Devices

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap Connected devices
  3. Tap See all to view the previously connected devices list
  4. Select a device to reconnect, rename, or forget

What you should know

  • Shows connection history beyond just currently active devices
  • Allows forgetting a device to remove its stored pairing keys entirely
  • Includes both Bluetooth accessories and Wi-Fi-based devices like Chromecasts
  • Tapping a listed device attempts to reconnect if it's currently in range

Why it matters

Over months or years of use, a phone accumulates dozens of paired accessories, rental car systems, old headphones, hotel speakers, and forgetting to clean these up both clutters the pairing list and can pose a minor security consideration if a stored device's pairing key is ever misused. This screen is also the fastest way to reconnect to an accessory that dropped out of range without repeating the full pairing process.

Best practices

  • Forget accessories you no longer own, such as an old pair of headphones or a rental car's system
  • Use this list to quickly reconnect to a known accessory instead of starting a new pairing flow
  • Rename ambiguous device names, like a generic manufacturer ID, for easier identification later
  • Periodically review the list on shared or work devices where past connections may include untrusted hardware

Common problems and fixes

A device won't reconnect from this list
Forget it and re-pair from scratch, since a stale pairing key is a common cause of reconnect failures
List shows a device that was never intentionally paired
Forget it immediately, particularly on a device that has been in public or shared use
Reconnecting is slow
Ensure the accessory itself is powered on and within range, since range and battery affect reconnection speed

Tips and tricks

  • Use this list after a factory reset scare to confirm no unfamiliar devices have connected
  • Forget rental car Bluetooth pairings before returning the vehicle to avoid leaving contact data accessible to the next renter

Frequently asked questions

Does forgetting a device delete data stored on it?

No, it only removes the phone's stored pairing credentials, not any data on the accessory itself.

Can I see when a device was last connected?

Most versions show a 'last connected' timestamp or relative time next to each entry.

Does this include Wi-Fi networks too?

No, saved Wi-Fi networks are managed separately under Wi-Fi settings; this list is for paired accessories and cast devices.

More Devices guides for Android

See every Android guide