Wireless technology is now becoming a global trend. More and more people are opting to use wireless gadgets including Bluetooth accessories and have them paired with their smartphone phones. Your iPhone 6s Plus for instance, can be paired with your Bluetooth speaker, keyboard, car stereo, Bluetooth headsets, and other Bluetooth accessories you may use for as long as they’re in proximity and compatible with your iPhone system. But some people are unable to obtain the same positive experience when it comes to using their iPhone with other Bluetooth devices.
In fact, they’re already having trouble from the start when attempting to pair both devices to no avail. What could have prevented the iPhone 6s Plus from pairing or connecting to other Bluetooth devices and how to fix it? These are the main questions that will be addressed through this posting. If you’re here because you too are having this same difficulty in getting Bluetooth to work on your iPhone 6s Plus, then feel free to refer to this content. Read on to learn more.
Possible causes of Bluetooth problems on your iPhone 6s Plus
Just like other connectivity features of your iPhone, Bluetooth also needs to be turned on to make it work. So make sure you do beforehand. Another possibility is that the Bluetooth device you are trying to connect to might be too far away from your iPhone, thus making it out of range. Unlike Wi-Fi, Bluetooth only works within proximity usually about 30 feet (may vary depending on the Bluetooth system). Beyond that range, your devices won’t be able to communicate through Bluetooth. So you might as well consider adjusting the distance between your Bluetooth device and your iPhone 6s Plus.
Meanwhile, other Bluetooth accessories are not just compatible with your iPhone 6s Plus software and so they won’t be able to work with your iPhone. Some devices are not supported by iOS so make sure yours is in the list of supported Bluetooth devices to rule incompatibility out from the possible causes.
And the worst possible cause is hardware damage. Your iPhone has an antenna that mainly supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi functions. If that antenna gets damaged then most likely either of these functions won’t work. Physical or liquid damage on the iPhone is possible especially if there were prior instances when you dropped it or got it wet. If that happened, then you might as well consider having your iPhone checked or if necessary, repaired by a technician then.
How to fix Bluetooth problems on your iPhone 6s Plus?
As much as possible try to rule hardware damage out from the possible causes. Once you do that, your chance of fixing the problem through any of the subsequent workarounds is higher. Be sure to test your devices after completing each method to see if the problem has been fixed. Otherwise, proceed to the next applicable solution.
First things to do and check before troubleshooting
- Make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the Control Center then tap the Bluetooth icon. If the icon is highlighted in blue, Bluetooth is turned on.
- Check proximity on both devices. Make sure that the other Bluetooth device you are trying to connect to is within range of your iPhone. Again Bluetooth devices are dependent on proximity usually about 30 feet. So make sure both devices are within range for them to be able to communicate properly.
- Make sure your device software is up-to-date. If you haven’t already, update your iPhone 6s Plus to the latest iOS version available. Doing so will not only allow you to get all the new features and enhanced functions but also get fixes to any software bugs, including those that might have affected your iPhone’s Bluetooth functions.
Once you’ve done all that and the problem continues, then it’s time to troubleshoot. So here are your options.
Reboot your iPhone 6s Plus (soft reset)
Rebooting your iPhone can fix any minor glitch including those affecting Bluetooth functions. Given it another try and see if it works. Here’s how a soft reset is properly done on your iPhone:
- Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds until the Slide to Power off screen appears.
- Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone completely.
- Wait for about 30 seconds then press the Power button again until the Apple logo appears.
Your iPhone then boots up its system. After the reboot, turn Bluetooth off and then on again. To do so, head over to Settings-> Bluetooth. Then tap the switch to turn off and then back on. Or you can also use Siri to turn Bluetooth on or off. Just launch Siri on your iPhone and speak to command. Try pairing your iPhone 6s Plus and Bluetooth device afterwards to see if it fixed the problem.
Turn off your Bluetooth device and then back on
To eliminate the possibility of a minor software glitch preventing your Bluetooth device from connecting with your iPhone 6s Plus, turning pairing mode off and then back on will likely be able to fix it. Just like what a soft reset does on your iPhone.
Almost every Bluetooth device have a switch or button that is used to turn pairing mode on or off. Try to locate that button then press or hold it. If not, then turning the device itself off for about 30 seconds and then back on will do it.
Forget the Bluetooth device on your iPhone 6s Plus
Just like what happens when you forget wireless networks stored on your iPhone, forgetting a Bluetooth device also erases the Bluetooth device saved on your iPhone 6s Plus. Doing so make it as if the device was never connected to your iPhone so the next time you pair them it will be like they are just connected for the first time. Here’s how to forget a Bluetooth device on your iPhone 6s Plus:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Tap the blue information (i) icon next to the Bluetooth device you want to forget.
- Tap the option to Forget This Device.
- If prompted, tap Forget Device to confirm action.
If the device no longer appears under My Devices in Settings-> Bluetooth menu, then that means it has been forgotten.
After a few seconds, reconnect the Bluetooth device with your iPhone 6s Plus by putting it in pairing mode. If it pairs with your iPhone and starts to work again, then the problem is fixed. Otherwise, proceed to the next method:
Reset network settings on your iPhone 6s Plus
Messed up settings like incorrect configuration of options particularly on the network settings on your iPhone can also cause Bluetooth issues to arise. The thing is, it will be a bit harder for anyone to pinpoint which exactly from the network options are configured incorrectly and causing the conflict. As resolution, you can go for a network settings reset instead. Please note though that the data on your iPhone including Wi-Fi information and all of your Bluetooth devices will be erased in the process. So make sure you take note of your Wi-Fi passwords and other network credentials before you begin. Once you’re all set, follow these steps to reset network settings on your iPhone:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Scroll to and then tap Reset.
- Select Reset Network Settings.
- If prompted, enter your passcode to continue.
Your iPhone will then reset the network settings and restarts by itself.
After the restart, you will need to set up your networks one by one. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled and then try pairing your iPhone with your Bluetooth device again.
Perform a DFU Mode restore on your iPhone 6s Plus
This should only be considered as your last option especially if you firmly believe that the problem lies within the iPhone system. A DFU mode restore is regarded as the most in-depth restore you can do on your iPhone. While it might be able to fix complex software issues, it’s also a risky process for anyone (end-users) to try on. There is a chance that your device get bricked when the DFU mode restore gets interrupted or not finished successfully. And if that happens, your iPhone will become totally useless. If you don’t want to take the risks then you may skip this process and seek more help from Apple Support instead. Otherwise, backup your iPhone 6s Plus data then proceed with these steps:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the supplied USB cable.
- Open iTunes on the computer. Be sure to use the latest version of iTunes software.
- While your iPhone is connected, press and hold the Power and Home button simultaneously for about 8 seconds.
- After 8 seconds, let go of the Power button but continue to hold down the Home button.
- When you see the iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode screen, let go of the Home button. Your iPhone’s display will then become completely black. That means you have successfully entered DFU mode. If not, then you have to go back from the very start.
- Now, you may restore your iPhone in DFU mode through iTunes.
Entering DFU mode requires timing so if you are unable to do it on your first attempt then don’t be afraid to try again.
Seek more help
If you have done every possible means in an attempt to fix the Bluetooth problem you have but still couldn’t get your iPhone 6s Plus to pair or connect to your Bluetooth accessory, then it’s time to seek more help. Contact Apple Support for further assistance and recommendations especially if you cannot turn Bluetooth on since the setting is grayed out or when none of your Bluetooth devices is able to connect with your iPhone. Also verify and confirm with them if the Bluetooth device you are trying to pair with your iPhone is compatible with Apple’s Bluetooth technology.
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