iPhone 5s Not Pairing with Bluetooth After iOS Update? Here’s How to Fix It

by

If your iPhone 5s suddenly stopped pairing with Bluetooth devices after an iOS update, you’re not alone. It’s a common issue caused by minor glitches, faulty settings, or software bugs that come with a new firmware release. The good news? Most Bluetooth pairing problems can be resolved with a few simple steps.

Here’s how to troubleshoot Bluetooth not working on your iPhone 5s after an iOS update.

1. Restart Both Your iPhone and the Bluetooth Device

This is the classic “turn it off and back on again” trick — and it works more often than you think.

To reboot your iPhone 5s:

  1. Hold the Power (Sleep/Wake) button until the “slide to power off” appears.
  2. Slide to shut it down.
  3. Wait a few seconds, then press the Power button again until the Apple logo shows.

Also restart the Bluetooth device you’re trying to pair. Once both are back on, try pairing again.

2. Toggle Bluetooth Off and On

Refreshing the Bluetooth connection can help clear minor bugs.

  1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
  2. Turn Bluetooth OFF.
  3. Wait a few seconds, then turn it ON again.

Reboot your Bluetooth device and retry pairing.

3. Use the Airplane Mode Trick

This resets all wireless radios and can fix invisible conflicts between Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular.

  1. Go to Settings > Airplane Mode.
  2. Toggle it ON.
  3. Wait 10–15 seconds.
  4. Toggle it OFF again.

Now try enabling Bluetooth and pair your device once more.

4. Forget and Re-Pair the Bluetooth Device

Sometimes the existing connection profile gets corrupted.

  1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth.
  2. Tap the (i) next to the problematic device.
  3. Tap Forget This Device, then confirm.
  4. Restart your iPhone 5s.
  5. Return to Settings > Bluetooth, find your device, and try pairing again from scratch.

5. Reset Network Settings

If something in your network settings was altered during the update, this will fix it without touching your personal data.

  1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
  2. Tap Reset Network Settings.
  3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

Your Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth pairings will be erased. Reconnect manually after the reset.

6. Reset All Settings

If Bluetooth is still not working, try a deeper settings reset.

  1. Go to Settings > General > Reset.
  2. Tap Reset All Settings.
  3. Enter your passcode and confirm.

This restores all system settings to their defaults, but won’t delete your apps or data.

7. Still Not Pairing? Try a Restore in iTunes

If nothing else works, your last resort is to restore your iPhone through iTunes:

  1. Open iTunes on a Mac/PC with the latest version.
  2. Connect your iPhone using the Lightning cable.
  3. Put your iPhone in recovery mode:
    • Hold Home + Power until the screen goes black and the iTunes icon appears.
  4. Choose Restore when prompted.

This will reinstall iOS and potentially wipe out any bugs blocking Bluetooth pairing.

Still Not Working? Here’s What to Do

  • Try pairing with a different Bluetooth device. If that works, your original accessory might be the issue.
  • Check for firmware updates for your Bluetooth accessory.
  • Contact Apple Support if your iPhone won’t pair with any Bluetooth device at all.

Leave a Comment