- To fix an iPhone that won’t connect to Bluetooth after iOS 17 update, first make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
- You should ensure the other device is charged and it’s in pairing mode.
- You can also try updating the iPhone’s software, resetting network settings, and restarting the device.
Bluetooth technology lets you wirelessly connect various accessories (keyboard, headset, speakers, Stereo, Watch,etc.) to your iPhone by associating them with your phone (also called pairing). Once paired, your iPhone connects to these accessories if Bluetooth is working. But what do you do if your iPhone can’t connect to Bluetooth after iOS 17 update? This article explains what you can do to troubleshoot when your iPhone won’t connect to Bluetooth in iOS 17.
How to fix iPhone not connecting to Bluetooth in iOS 17
Please try each step until your issue is resolved. After each step, check to see if you can connect your iPhone to Bluetooth.
1. Turn on Bluetooth
We first tackle the obvious question — is your Bluetooth even switched on? I know it may be a bit offensive to suggest such a thing, but we all have our dozy moments. So don’t shoot the messenger just yet. Switching on Bluetooth will then instantly make your other devices discoverable.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Make sure the toggle next to Bluetooth is green. If not, tap on it so it turns green.
Quick tip: You can also turn on Bluetooth by bringing up the Control Center on your iPhone and tapping the Bluetooth icon so it turns blue.
If Bluetooth is already turned on, disable it and turn back on.
2. Make sure your Bluetooth device is charged
You may think that your iPhone doesn’t connect to a Bluetooth because your Bluetooth device stopped working. It can simply be that your device battery is running very low if it uses battery. Make sure that your Bluetooth accessories have enough battery life. You may want to change the batteries or charge the device.
3. Make sure the Bluetooth device is ready to be connected
Bluetooth devices aren’t always ready to connect. Most dedicated Bluetooth devices speakers, headphones, and more need to be put into pairing mode. You should check your device’s manual to see how to turn on pairing mode.
Once your Bluetooth device is in pairing mode, follow the steps below to connect it to your iPhone:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- When the Bluetooth menu is opened, you should get a list of all the devices you’ve connected with before. If the particular device you want to connect to is not shown, make sure the device is set for pairing so it shows up in the list.
- Tap on the device so it moves from Other Devices to My Devices.
- Then tap on the device so it changes from Not Connected to Connected.
Quick tip: To quickly connect to a Bluetooth device, open the Control Center on your iPhone, and long press the Bluetooth icon. Then, long press the Bluetooth icon again to bring up a list of devices and tap on the one you want to connect to.
4. Make sure you are connecting to the correct Bluetooth device
If your iPhone is still having trouble connecting, make sure that you’re trying to connect to the right Bluetooth device.
5. Make sure the devices are in range
In general, Bluetooth devices need to be within at least 30 feet of each other to connect well. If you’re having issues, try bringing the devices closer together.
6. Don’t stand too close to Smart Home devices
Smart home devices — such as hubs, locks, light bulbs, plugs, and more — use something called Zigbee. Like Wi-Fi and USB, Zigbee uses the same GHz spectrum as Bluetooth devices, which will interfere with device pairing. Therefore, you need to move away from your Zigbee devices when attempting to pair something via Bluetooth.
Once the pairing has been successfully completed, you can let Zigbee back into your life again.
7. Check what the Bluetooth pairing process is
There are usually a couple of different methods involved in pairing two devices via Bluetooth. Most of the time, you simply switch on Bluetooth on your iPhone, it discovers your other nearby devices, you tap the one you want, and off you go to the races.
However, there may be other times when pairing an iPhone to a Bluetooth device involves typing a sequence of numbers from the bluetooth device. Once you type that sequence of numbers, it authorizes the connection. This is common if you are trying to connect an iPhone to a smart TV, for example.
So if the usual pairing sequence doesn’t work, see if a series of numbers is required instead. If it’s a smart TV, it will be displayed on the screen soon enough.
8. Restart your devices
If you are unsuccessful in trying to connect your iPhone to a Bluetooth device, you have another option: You can reboot the devices. Simply turn all of your devices off, and then on again. Try connecting once more.
9. Update your software to the most recent iOS
If your iPhone still won’t connect to Bluetooth, try updating your iOS version to the latest one.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Update Now and follow the onscreen instructions.
10. Reset your network settings
If you’ve tried all the software tricks you can think of, and your iPhone can’t connect to Bluetooth, then it’s time to reset your network settings.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on General.
- Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- At the bottom, tap Reset.
- On the pop-up that shows, tap Reset Network Settings and enter your iPhone’s passcode to confirm the reset.
Your phone will restart, but you won’t lose any data or apps.
11. Contact your accessory manufacturer or Apple for support
If you’ve done all this and your iPhone still can’t connect to Bluetooth, then it is very possible that one of your devices has a hardware defect. You will need to contact either your accessory manufacturer or Apple support for a solution.
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