iPhone Bluetooth Not Discovering Devices? Here How To Fix It!

Learn 16 Effective Solutions To Fix iPhone Bluetooth Not Discovering or Finding Devices!

You have your headphones, car infotainment system, PC, Mac, Alexa speakers, Bose headphones or speaker nearby and you find at the moment that you try to connect your iPhone to Bluetooth, but you find that your iPhone does not discover the devices and hence you can’t connect your iPhone to Bluetooth devices.

Well, in this tutorial guide you are going to learn – how to fix iPhone Bluetooth not discovering devices. Simply follow the solutions mentioned in the guide one-by-one and check your problem is solved or not.

Let’s start with real user practical scenario!

Practical Scenario: A User iPhone XR Is Not Able To Find Bluetooth

Just like above example, there are several users out there encountering with iPhone Bluetooth not finding devices.

But, you don’t need to worry about it anymore, below follow the solutions and fix the issue by yourself.

Short Video Tutorial On How To Fix iPhone Bluetooth Not Discovering Devices

Solution 1: Check iPhone Bluetooth Status and Make Sure Bluetooth Device Is In Range

First of all double check that your Bluetooth is turned ON your iPhone.

To know whether your Bluetooth is turned on or not, simply swipe up from the very bottom of the screen to open Control Center, if you see Bluetooth icon is highlighted in blue, it means it is ON. If the icon is highlighted in gray then it means it is OFF. If it is OFF simply tap the Bluetooth icon to switch it ON.

Second, you have to make sure that the Bluetooth device you’re trying to connect is in range of your iPhone.

Solution 2: Try Connecting Your iPhone To Another Bluetooth Device

If your iPhone does not discover the device, then start by trying to connect it with two separate Bluetooth devices at one time. If one Bluetooth device gets connected while other does not get discovered, then you have just recognized that the problem is with the specific Bluetooth device and not your iPhone.

But, in case if your iPhone does not able to find both the devices or not able to connect to both of the devices then the problem lies within your iPhone and not in the Bluetooth devices.

Also Read: How To Fix AirPlay Keeps Disconnecting

Solution 3: Check Remote Bluetooth Device And Its Battery Status

The device that you are looking to connect does not appear in the Bluetooth search list, then you have to also make sure that the device that you are trying to connect is in the proper Bluetooth discoverable mode.

Let me tell you that putting the devices into discoverable mode is different on each devices, so you have to refer the user manual to verify that you are following the proper steps to put device into discoverable mode.

Besides that, if device is battery powered, then you may need to replace the battery with new one and then try to connect the device.

If you are trying to connect your iPhone Bluetooth to car system, then please follow the below steps.

• First of all restart your iPhone.
• Then go to “Settings”, tap on “Bluetooth” and turn it OFF. Wait for few seconds and then turn Bluetooth back ON.
• Next refer your car stereo’s user manual to find how to pair with a Bluetooth device. Let me tell you that there are many cars which need a phone set-up on the card display.
• If you have earlier connected multiple phones to your car stereo, then try to rename your device. Open Settings app, tap General > About > Name and then type a new name. After that, try to connect again.
• Is still not connected, then check for any firmware updates for your card stereo. For this you can refer to user manual or check with device manufacturer.

Also Read: If Your Right Or Left Microphone On AirPods Is Not Working

Solution 4: Simple Restart Your iPhone As Well As Your Bluetooth Device

If you are sure that the remote device is in the discoverable mode, then I think simple restart of your iPhone will fix the issue.

Below follow how to restart iPhone!

To Restart iPhone X/XR/XS/XS Max:

• Press and hold Side button and Volume Up or Down button until you see slider appears.
• Drag the slider to turn OFF your device.
• Once your device gets turned OFF, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.

To Restart iPhone 8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus/6/6 Plus or Earlier iPhone:

• Press and hold the Top or Side button until you see the slider appears.
• Drag the slider to turn OFF your device.
• Once your device gets turned OFF, press and hold the Top or Side button until the Apple logo appears.

Once the phone restarts, test the connection again. If it does not fix the issue, then Switch OFF and then Switch ON the Bluetooth device and then try again.

Also Read: 9 Solutions To Fix iPhone X Keep Restarting Itself

Solution 5: Toggle Wi-Fi and Airplane Mode

Sometimes, you can fix the problem by simply toggling the Wi-Fi and Airplane mode. Just give it a try.

Open up the Control Center by simply swiping up from the bottom of the screen on your iPhone.

Tap on Wi-Fi icon and switch it OFF. Turn it ON back by simply taping on it. Now try to connect your Bluetooth device. If this doesn’t work, then switch OFF Wi-Fi and then try pairing-it up again.

If toggling and switching off Wi-Fi didn’t fix the issue, then open the Control Center and tap on Airplane Mode to turn it ON. Leave the iPhone in the Airplane mode ON for a minute and then switch it OFF by tapping on the icon once and again and then try connecting the device.

Solution 6: Switch OFF and Then Switch ON Bluetooth Back Again

If restarting iPhone doesn’t help in discovering the Bluetooth device, then you can try the same, but this time you have to turn OFF Bluetooth and turn it back ON.

This might help in fixing your issue that may be stopping your iPhone Bluetooth from discovering and pairing with your Bluetooth device.

Below find out how to turn off and turn on Bluetooth on iPhone.

Method 1: Turn iPhone Bluetooth OFF and ON In Your Settings App

• Open “Settings” app and then tap on “Bluetooth”.
• Toggle the switch to OFF position next to Bluetooth. (The switch is grey, means the Bluetooth is turned off).
• Finally, toggle the switch to ON position to turn ON Bluetooth again.

Method 2: Turn iPhone Bluetooth OFF and ON In Your Control Center

• Swipe up from the very bottom of your screen in order to bring up the Control Center and then tap on Bluetooth icon to switch it OFF. (If the icon is in grey, it means it is switched off).
• Next, tap on Bluetooth icon again to turn switch it ON (If the icon is in blue, it means it is switched ON).

Once, you have tried any one of the above methods turn OFF Bluetooth and back ON again, try to connect your Bluetooth device again to see if the problem is solved or not.

Also Read: Top 4 Ways To Transfer Data From Old iPhone To iPhone XS/XS Max/XR

Solution 7: Switch Pairing Mode On Your Bluetooth Device OFF And Then On Again

Let me tell you that almost every Bluetooth device have a button or switch that help us to easily pair up (Pairing Mode).

You have tried everything to fix iPhone Bluetooth not discovering devices, but sometimes the problem lies within the Bluetooth devices and not in your iPhone.

It could have stuck with a minor bug or glitch or it just didn’t make proper connection at first time.

So, here what you need to do.

• Simply grab your Bluetooth device that you are trying to connect with your iPhone and look for Bluetooth switch or button that you need to pair/sync it.
• If you found it, then simply turn the button or switch to OFF position to turn OFF Bluetooth Pairing Mode.
• Wait for 30-40 seconds and then turn the button or switch to ON position in order to put the device ready for pairing with your iPhone.
• Now try to pair the device with your iPhone that you usually do using Bluetooth and see if that have fixed the problem.

Solution 8: Forget The Bluetooth Device And Then Try Again To Pair Up

Yes, you have heard correctly! Simply forget the Bluetooth device and try to pair-up again. Let me tell you that when your iPhone forget a Bluetooth device, it act as a device that you have never paired up with your iPhone and it is the first time you are going to pair it up with your iPhone.

So, next time when you try to pair-up your iPhone with the Bluetooth device, then it will be like they are trying to connect for the first time.

Here, follow how to do it.

• On your iPhone, open “Settings” app and then tap on “Bluetooth”.
• Tap on small blue “i” icon next to Bluetooth device that you want to make forget.
• Tap on “Forget this Device”. Tap “Forget Device” is confirmation is asked gain.
• You will come to know that device has been forgotten since it will no longer appear under “My Devices” in your Settings> Bluetooth.

After, you make your iPhone to forget the Bluetooth device, try to pair-it up and try to reconnect it again and see if this tip does the work for you.

Also Read: iPhone Keeps Freezing And Crashing? Fix It By Yourself!

Solution 9: Move Away From The Wi-Fi Router And USB 3.0 Port

Sometimes, it is possible that Wi-Fi router (which uses the same spectrum) becomes obstacle and therefore your iPhone Bluetooth is not able to find the devices.  Wi-Fi is designed to cope with this, so it is suggested that you must move away from the Wi-Fi router and try to pair up.

It is also possible that USB 3.0 might also interfere. Let me tell you that newer laptop have higher speed USB 3.0 port. So, if your iPhone is not discovering the Bluetooth device, try pairing the Bluetooth gadget away from the computer.

Solution 10: Reset Network Setting On Your iPhone

Let me tell you that if you reset your iPhone’s network settings, it erases all settings of your Bluetooth, Wi-Fi networks (erases all Wi-Fi password saved for those networks) and the VPN (Virtual Private Network) settings.

Note: Resetting network settings will not delete data such as photos, videos, apps, apps data, etc so don’t worry.

Resetting network settings will simply give your iPhone a complete fresh start when you connect it to Bluetooth device, which can sometimes fix the problem.

Also, make sure that you remember the password of all your Wi-Fi networks before you reset network settings, as you have to re-enter them afterwards.

Here follow the steps to reset network settings.

• Go to “Settings” and tap “General”.
• Scroll down and look for “Reset”. Tap “Reset”.
• Tap “Reset Network Settings”.

• You will be asked to enter your iPhone’s passcode. Simply enter it and confirm it. Your iPhone will then reset the network settings and will restart by itself.
• Now when your iPhone gets restart, your network settings have been reset.

Now try to discover, pair and connect your iPhone to Bluetooth device again and the issue should be fixed now.

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Solution 11: Update iPhone Software

In many cases, iPhone Bluetooth problems can be solved with the software update.

Here follow the steps to update iPhone software.

• Make sure that your iPhone battery power is at least 50-60%, if not then plug it to power source. Next connect your phone to a Wi-Fi Network.
• Then go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Tap Install Now (if any software update is available only then you will get this option).

Alternatively, you can also update the iPhone software using iTunes. Below follow the steps on how to do it.

• Connect your iPhone to computer.
• Launch iTunes on your computer. Make sure you have latest version of iTunes.
• Select your iPhone.
• Click on “Check for Update”.

• Click on “Download and Update”.

Once, your iPhone software gets updated, try to connect it with your Bluetooth device.

Also Read: iPhone Security: Tips To Protect Your iPhone From Hackers Or Theft

Solution 12: Download The Correct Driver

If you are trying to connect your iPhone Bluetooth to PC or Mac, then it is possible that you might be lacking the correct driver and hence, you are encountering the problem in pairing the device with computer.

The simplest way to fix this issue is to do download the correct driver on your computer. The easy ways to figure this out is to do online search with the name of the device that you are trying to connect along with the word “driver”.

Solution 13: Update The Bluetooth Device Hardware’s Firmware

Whether you are trying to connect your iPhone to car stereo, headphones, camera, PC, Mac or any other gadgets, let me tell you one thing that there are some gadgets and automotive audio systems that does not pair with phones because Bluetooth drivers in these gadgets/systems didn’t work with Bluetooth 4.0.

So, you have to update the Bluetooth device hardware firmware. However, we cannot help you with the exact guide on how to upgrade the firmware on your Bluetooth device. But you can refer to the user manual guide if you still have it, or simply visit to the device manufacturer’s website and look for Firmware or Download section. If you are not sure, then simply check with the device manufacturer on how to get latest firmware for your hardware.

Solution 14: Reset All Settings And Erase All Content And Settings

Reset All Settings – It will not delete any of your data such as photos, videos, contacts, messages, apps, apps data, etc. It will just reset all settings such as Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth paired devices, etc to its defaults.

Below, follow the steps to reset all settings on iPhone.

• On your iPhone open “Settings” app.
• Tap “General”.
• Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
• Type Passcode and tap Reset all settings.

After you reset all settings, try to search for Bluetooth device and connect it. May be this solve the problem for you. If not then erase all content and settings and then try it again.

Erase All Content And Settings – This erases all data and settings and gives your iPhone a fresh start. Hence, it is recommended that you must first backup your iPhone data before performing this solution.

• On your iPhone open “Settings” app.
• Tap “General”.
• Tap Reset > Erase All Content And Settings.
• Type your Passcode.
• Tap on “Erase iPhone”.

Also Read: Can I Recover Permanently Deleted Videos From iPhone?

Solution 15: Restore Your iPhone To Factory Settings Via iTunes

Before your factory reset your iPhone, it is highly recommended that you must backup your iPhone data as it will delete all data stored on your phone.

Here follow the steps to restore iPhone to factory settings using iTunes.

• Connect your iPhone to computer with the help of USB/Lightning cable.
• Launch iTunes. Make sure you have latest version of iTunes.
• Select your iPhone as it appears in iTunes.
• Go To “Summary” tab and then click on “Restore iPhone”.

• Click on “Restore” to confirm the process.
• Now, iTunes will wipe your iPhone and will install latest iOS.
• Your device will restart automatically after the process completion.
• Now set-up your device as new.

Now, try paring up and connect your iPhone to your Bluetooth device. I hope this will fix your issue.

Also Read: How To Restore iPhone XS/XS Max/XR From iTunes Backup [2 Ways]

Solution 16: Repair Your iPhone If There Is Any Problem In Its iOS System

If you have come to this far and your iPhone still not able to find the Bluetooth device so that you can connect it to, then you may need to repair your iPhone. It seems that there could be issue in iPhone iOS system.

One of the best and easiest ways to fix iOS system to normal from home can be done with the help of iOS System Repair Software. This iOS Repair Tool, simply fixes iOS to normal without any data loss.

Free Download Trial Version/Buy Now iOS Repair Tool

*Trial version only show how it works and not fix iOS to Normal.
*Trial version only show how it works and not fix iOS to Normal.

Here follow the complete tutorial guide to fix iOS system to normal using iOS Repair Software.

Once, you repair your iPhone iOS system, you can try to connect to your iPhone to your Bluetooth device and I hope this would definitely fix your iPhone Bluetooth connection problems.

Wrap Up

So, guys those were 16 solutions that you can follow one by one to fix iPhone Bluetooth not discovering devices or iPhone is not connecting to Bluetooth devices.

Please share this post with others, may this can help them if they are facing the same issue.

Max Field

Max Field

Max Field is a founder of recoveriphone-data.com. He is an iOS lover and loves to write tips, tricks, fixes for errors, data recovery solutions and more related to iOS, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, iTunes and iCloud.

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