Preparing to Connect Bluetooth to iPhone
Place your iPhone and Bluetooth device near each other. Bluetooth’s range is a few dozen feet, so devices that are too far apart can’t connect. The technology’s theoretical limit is 33 feet, but the closer the two devices are, the better. As a security precaution, both devices must be in a “discovery” mode, although the name for that mode varies by manufacturer and the procedure for activating it isn’t uniform. Consult your device’s user manual for specific instructions. By requiring both devices to operate in this mode to effect a pairing, you can be confident that strangers on the subway can’t secretly pair with your iPhone or AirPods.
Activate Pairing Mode on the iPhone
Tap Settings > Bluetooth and ensure that the toggle switch is green. If it is, you’ll see a list of all the devices presently paired to your phone, whether they’re active or not. Any devices placed into pairing mode will appear at the bottom of the list. Just tap it to pair it. Some devices, like Bluetooth keyboards, may present a passcode you must enter on the device to ensure that you’ve paired the right device to the right iPhone.
Disconnect Bluetooth Devices From an iPhone
It’s a good idea to disconnect a Bluetooth device from your iPhone when you’re done using it so you don’t run down the battery on either device. Either turn off the device or turn off Bluetooth on your iPhone. In iOS 7 or higher, use Control Center as a shortcut to turn Bluetooth on and off. If you need to keep Bluetooth on but just disconnect from a specific device:
Permanently Remove a Bluetooth Device From iPhone
If you’re not going to need to connect to a given Bluetooth device ever again, remove it from the Bluetooth menu altogether.
Why Use Bluetooth?
You may not be able to connect accessories to the iPhone using a USB port, but tons of useful devices work with the iPhone thanks to Bluetooth. While most people think of Bluetooth as the way that wireless headsets or speakers get connected to phones, it’s much more than that. Bluetooth is a general-purpose technology used with headsets, keyboards, car stereos, and more.
Full iPhone Bluetooth Support Specifications
The types of Bluetooth accessories that work with the iPhone and iPod touch depends on what Bluetooth profiles are supported by iOS and the device. Profiles are specifications that both devices must both support to communicate with each other. The following Bluetooth profiles are supported by iOS:
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile: A2DP, also known as Stereo Bluetooth, lets iOS devices send wireless audio to compatible headphones and speakers. It is supported by all iOS devices except the original iPhone. Audio/Video Remote Control Profile 1.4: Use AVRCP to control compatible AV equipment like TVs, receivers, and stereos. All iOS devices except the original iPhone support this profile. Hands-Free Profile: HFP 1.6 helps iOS devices to work with hands-free car kits and headsets. All iPhones support this. Human Interface Device Profile: Supports HID devices like mice, keyboards, and joysticks. Neither the original iPhone nor the iPhone 3G supports this profile. Message Access Profile: Mostly used for hands-free functionality in cars, MAP helps devices send messages to each other. All iPhones except the original, 3G, and 3GS support it. Personal Area Network: Allows connection between multiple devices using wireless networks. PAN works on all iOS devices except the original iPhone. Phone Book Access Profile: Use PBAP to display information from the device’s address book, a feature often used with hands-free car kits. Works on all iPhones. Serial Port Profile: SPP supports braille terminals on devices running iOS 4 and up.
