Set up and listen to Bluetooth devices on iPhone

: June 7, 2024
: Apple

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Set up and listen to Bluetooth devices on iPhone

Set up and listen to Bluetooth devices on iPhone

Using a Bluetooth connection, you can listen to iPhone on third-party wireless headphones, speakers, car kits, and more.

WARNING: For important information about avoiding hearing loss and avoiding distractions that could lead to dangerous situations, see Important safety information for iPhone.

Pair a Bluetooth device

Follow the instructions that came with the device to put it in discovery mode.

Note: To pair AirPods, see Set up AirPods with iPhone.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth, then tap the name of the device.

iPhone must be within about 33 feet (10 meters) of the Bluetooth device.

Classify your Bluetooth device

If you listen to headphone audio for long enough at a volume that could affect your hearing, you can get a notification and have the volume automatically turned down to protect your hearing. To help improve the accuracy of headphone audio measurements for third-party Bluetooth devices, you should classify them as headphones, speakers, or other types (iOS 14.4 or later).

Go to Settings > Bluetooth, then tap next to the name of the device.
Tap Device Type, then choose a classification.

Bypass your Bluetooth device for calls

To use the iPhone receiver or speaker for calls, do any of the following:

Answer a call by tapping the iPhone screen.
During a call, tap Audio, then choose iPhone or Speaker Phone.
Turn off the Bluetooth device, unpair it, or move out of range.
Go to Settings , tap Bluetooth, then turn off Bluetooth.

Play audio from iPhone on a Bluetooth audio device

On your iPhone, open an audio app, such as Music, then choose an item to play.
Tap , then choose your Bluetooth device.

While audio is playing, you can change the playback destination on the Lock Screen or in Control Center.

The playback destination returns to iPhone if you move the device out of Bluetooth range.

Unpair a Bluetooth device

Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap next to the name of the device, then tap Forget This Device.

If you don’t see the Devices list, make sure Bluetooth is on.

If you have AirPods and you tap Forget This Device, they’re automatically removed from other devices where you’re signed in with the same Apple ID.

Disconnect from Bluetooth devices

To quickly disconnect from all Bluetooth devices without turning Bluetooth off, open Control Center, then tap .

To learn about Bluetooth privacy settings on iPhone, see the Apple Support article If an app would like to use Bluetooth on your device. If you have trouble connecting a Bluetooth device, see the Apple Support article If you can’t connect a Bluetooth accessory to your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Note: The use of certain accessories with iPhone may affect wireless performance. Not all iOS accessories are fully compatible with iPhone. Turning on airplane mode may eliminate audio interference between iPhone and an accessory. Reorienting or relocating iPhone and the connected accessory may improve wireless performance.