iPhone (iOS) · Network & Internet
Connect Bluetooth Accessories to iPhone
Bluetooth settings let you pair AirPods, headphones, speakers, keyboards, and other accessories, and manage previously connected devices.
How to open Bluetooth Devices
- Open Settings → Bluetooth.
- Turn on Bluetooth if it isn't already.
- Put your accessory into pairing mode and tap it under 'Other Devices'.
What you should know
- Apple accessories like AirPods often pair instantly with a pop-up animation when nearby.
- Third-party accessories need to be put into pairing mode before they appear in the list.
- You can rename, disconnect, or forget any paired device from its details screen.
- Battery levels for supported accessories are shown right on the Bluetooth settings screen.
If an accessory won't reconnect, forget it on your iPhone and re-pair it from scratch — this resolves most stuck connections.
Why it matters
Bluetooth settings govern how reliably your AirPods, car stereo, smartwatch, and other accessories connect, and a cluttered or outdated device list is the most common cause of pairing headaches. Because multiple paired devices can compete for an audio connection, understanding this screen helps you control exactly which accessory your iPhone talks to at any moment. It's also relevant to battery life, since Bluetooth scanning left on unnecessarily can contribute to background power drain.
Best practices
- Forget accessories you no longer own or use regularly to keep the device list clean and avoid connection conflicts.
- Rename frequently used accessories with recognizable names (like 'Car Stereo' or 'Work AirPods') so switching audio output is faster from Control Center.
- Keep only one audio accessory actively connected at a time if you're having trouble with audio routing between multiple paired devices.
- Check battery levels for supported accessories directly in the Bluetooth settings screen instead of relying on a separate app.
Common problems and fixes
- AirPods or headphones won't reconnect after working fine previously
- Forget the device under Settings → Bluetooth, then put it back into pairing mode and re-pair it from scratch — this resolves the vast majority of stuck connections.
- Audio plays from the wrong device (like a car speaker instead of headphones)
- Open Control Center and tap the audio output icon to manually select the correct connected Bluetooth device.
- A Bluetooth accessory appears in the list but won't connect
- Ensure the accessory itself is charged, in range, and not currently connected to another device, since many Bluetooth accessories can only pair to one device at a time.
- Bluetooth turns back on by itself after being turned off from Control Center
- Control Center's Bluetooth toggle only disconnects temporarily and resets at 5 a.m. or on a location change — turn it off from Settings → Bluetooth instead for it to stay off.
Tips and tricks
- Long-press the audio card in Control Center to quickly switch between multiple connected Bluetooth audio devices without opening Settings.
- Enable Audio Sharing to temporarily let a second pair of AirPods or Beats headphones listen to the same audio from your iPhone.
- Tap the 'i' next to a connected accessory to access device-specific controls, like double-tap actions or noise control settings, that don't appear anywhere else.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Bluetooth turn back on automatically after I turn it off?
Toggling Bluetooth off from Control Center is a temporary disconnect, by design, so it can still support features like Find My and AirDrop; turn it off in Settings for a persistent off state.
Can two people share one pair of AirPods on separate iPhones?
AirPods can only actively play audio to one device at a time, though Audio Sharing lets two nearby sets of AirPods listen to the same source from a single iPhone temporarily.
Why does my accessory show up as 'Not Connected' even though it's on?
It may already be connected to a different device, be out of Bluetooth range, or need its pairing forgotten and redone if the connection has become corrupted.
Related settings
- Wi-Fi ConnectionWi-Fi settings let you join nearby networks, share passwords instantly between Apple devices, and manage previously joined networks.
- Display & BrightnessDisplay & Brightness settings control screen brightness, True Tone, Dark Mode, text size, and Night Shift for warmer colors in the evening.
- Accessibility SettingsAccessibility settings on iPhone include VoiceOver screen reading, Zoom magnification, Voice Control, and many vision, hearing, mobility, and cognitive features.
More Network & Internet guides for iPhone (iOS)
- CellularCellular settings control your mobile data connection, including which apps can use cellular data, whether 5G or data roaming is allowed, and how much of your monthly plan each app has consumed.
- Personal HotspotPersonal Hotspot turns your iPhone's cellular data connection into a temporary Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth network that other devices like a laptop, tablet, or another phone can join for internet access.
- VPNVPN settings let your iPhone route its network traffic through a virtual private network, commonly used to access a workplace network securely or to add an extra layer of privacy on public Wi-Fi.
- AirDropAirDrop lets you instantly send photos, documents, links, and more to nearby iPhones, iPads, and Macs using a combination of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, without needing the same network or an internet connection.
- Airplane ModeAirplane Mode turns off cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios with one toggle, and can be configured to leave Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on individually after enabling, for use during flights or to save battery.
- Wi-Fi CallingWi-Fi Calling routes phone calls and texts through a connected Wi-Fi network when cellular coverage is weak or unavailable, and can register your number so other Apple devices signed into the same account can also make calls.