Apple’s iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus both incorporate Bluetooth 4.2 specification. While this may not be the fastest in terms of data rate and longest in terms of range, it still can offer a decent connectionless broadcasting to end-users. In fact, devices with Bluetooth 4.2 feature can connect to other compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices within 50 meters distance. So for as long as you’re within range to your paired device, then everything should work perfectly fine. But for some reasons, many iPhone 7 Plus owners complained and wondered why Bluetooth is not working as intended on their iOS device.
Some said that their iPhone cannot connect to a car Bluetooth or any other Bluetooth devices? Why does it happen and what must be done in order to get their iPhone 7 Bluetooth function to work? This post will explicate why and how Bluetooth problems occur on your iOS device. If you wish to find out the answers to the same questions or fix a similar issue on the same device, then read on and get help.
But before anything else, if you have other concerns with your iPhone 7 Plus, make sure you drop by our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed some of the most commonly reported issues with this new iPhone. If you need further assistance or if you can’t find what you’re looking for in that page, fill up our iPhone issues questionnaire and hit submit. Don’t worry, it’s a free consultation service so you don’t have to worry about anything. Just give us more information about the problem and we’ll do our best to help you fix it.
Why is your iPhone 7 Plus unable to connect to or work with other Bluetooth devices?
In order to use Bluetooth functions, you need to turn on the Bluetooth feature on your device beforehand. Since you are already attempting to pair or connect your iPhone 7 Plus to other Bluetooth devices, then chances are that you already have turned it on. But just to make sure, go back to your iPhone Settings-> Bluetooth-> then toggle the switch to turn Bluetooth off and then back on. Or if you prefer, you can access the Bluetooth icon straight from the control center. When enabled, you should see the Bluetooth (B in blue circle) icon in the status bar.
Another possibility is that the other Bluetooth device you are trying to connect to or pair with may be out range. Again, take note that your iPhone 7 Plus is only of establishing Bluetooth connections with other devices in a 50-meter range. Farther than that distance is no longer possible.
While installing the latest iOS update is highly recommended to keep your iPhone system updated and optimized, there are times when updates also ruin the system instead. A faulty software update can also mess up your iPhone’s connectivity functions including Bluetooth. Some updates, especially major iOS may tend to override the current settings on your device when installed. As a result, your previous settings are no longer working after the update. Often times, a soft reset can rectify the glitch and get things back to work perfectly fine again.
Majority if not all causes of Bluetooth problems on the iPhone are software-related. Unless of course, if there were previous instances of hard drops or liquid exposure on the device, which might have damaged some of the iPhone components tied to Bluetooth functionality.
How to fix your iPhone 7 Plus that won’t connect to Bluetooth?
Assuming that you already turned on Bluetooth on your iPhone and that the other Bluetooth device you are trying to pair with is within range, your next options when attempting to resolve the underlying cause would be the following.
Determine if the problem is isolated to the other Bluetooth device
Try to connect your iPhone 7 Plus to two separate Bluetooth devices one at a time. If it successfully connects to one device while the other doesn’t, then the problem is isolated to the other Bluetooth device. It is possible that the other device is not compatible with your iPhone 7 Plus in the first place. Should this be the case, no need to troubleshoot your iPhone any further.
Reboot your iPhone 7 Plus (soft reset)
As mentioned earlier, many device issues that are software-related are often resolved by a soft reset. So if you haven’t already, get to your iPhone then follow these steps:
- Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds.
- When you see the Slide to Power off screen, drag the slider to power off your iPhone completely.
- After 30 seconds, press the Power button again until the Apple logo appears.
- Wait until your iPhone boots up completely then try to use Bluetooth again.
A soft reset is considered the simplest yet most effective solution to minor issues that are triggered by software glitches in mobile devices. It does not affect any of your iPhone data so it’s definitely a safe process to begin with.
Turn Pairing mode on your other Bluetooth device off and on
Should there be any software glitch that is preventing the other Bluetooth device from establishing a secure connection with your iPhone, turning the pairing mode off and then back on might be able to fix it. If you haven’t done it yet, then here’s how:
- Locate the switch button (Bluetooth button) on your other Bluetooth device. Every Bluetooth device must have a switch for you to be able to easily activate pairing mode on or off.
- Press and hold that switch or button for a few seconds to take it out of pairing mode.
- Wait for about 30 seconds then press that switch or button again to put it back into pairing mode.
After you do the above steps, try to connect it to your iPhone 7 Plus again.
Forget the Bluetooth device
Just like when you forget wireless networks, forgetting the Bluetooth device on your iPhone can also solve any problem tied to Bluetooth connectivity. When you forget a Bluetooth device, all prior history of Bluetooth activities will be erased along with the Bluetooth device registered on your iPhone. So the next time you’ll add them, it will be like they are connecting for the first time. Here’s how to forget a Bluetooth device on your iPhone 7 Plus:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Tap the 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 selected device no longer appears under My Devices in Settings-> Bluetooth menu, then that denotes the device has been removed or forgotten.
Reboot your iPhone 7 Plus and your Bluetooth device then attempt to pair them again.
- If you are trying to connect your iPhone to your car Bluetooth, go to your iPhone Settings-> Bluetooth-> Other Devices-> then look for the name of your car. If you find it, tap on it to pair it with your iPhone 7 Plus. After your car pairs with your iPhone, it will show under My Devices and with a label that says Connected.
If that won’t work, then it’s time to dig deeper into the software.
Reset network settings on your iPhone 7 Plus
A network error can also cause the same problem to occur with your iPhone’s Bluetooth connectivity. Often times, rebooting the network equipment (modem/wireless router) can take care of the problem but there are also other cases in which a reset is needed. Since what you’re dealing with is tagged among other network problems on the iPhone, performing a network settings reset can help. When you reset your network settings, data from all of your Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi networks, and VPN settings will be erased thus gives your iPhone a fresh start when attempting to connect to Bluetooth devices. Just be sure to take note of your Wi-Fi networks and passwords before you begin with the reset though. Once everything is set, follow these steps to reset your iPhone’s network settings:
- Tap Settings from the Home screen.
- Tap General.
- Tap Reset.
- Select the option to Reset Network Settings.
- If prompted, enter your passcode to confirm action.
Your iPhone will then reset the network settings and reboots by itself. After it restarts, set up your network connections including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth then try to connect your iPhone 7 Plus to your Bluetooth device again and see if it’s now able to work as intended.
DFU mode restore (optional)
If your iPhone 7 Plus still failed to connect to your other Bluetooth device, then you may have to consider a DFU mode restore. What you’re dealing with might be a complex glitch on the iPhone system, which requires a more advanced reset option. A DFU mode restore however, should only be considered the last resort in every situation because it can also cause possible damage to your iPhone system especially when done incorrectly. To give you some heads-up, there is a chance that your iPhone system will brick when the DFU mode restore does not complete or when the process gets interrupted. So instead of just having a problem using Bluetooth, you will end up having a totally useless iPhone when bad things happen in the process.
If you are willing to take the risks and give it a try, then go for it. We have outlined a step-by-step guide on how to perform a DFU mode restore on iPhone 7 Plus in a dedicated article posted on our Troubleshooting Page. Feel free to visit if you need help in the process.
Other Safer Options
If a DFU restore is not your option, then you can always escalate the problem to Apple Support or contact your carrier customer care for further assistance and recommendations. It’s definitely safer than performing a DFU mode restore.
Engage with us
If you have other issues with your Apple iPhone 7 Plus, we are always willing to help. Contact us through our iPhone issues questionnaire and provide us with all necessary information about your problem so we can find a solution to your issue.