Just got a new iPhone and it won’t pair with your car’s Bluetooth? Can’t stream music or take hands-free calls? Don’t sweat it – we’ll walk through the top troubleshooting tips to get your iPhone connecting to your car again. Here’s how to fix iPhone won’t connect to car Bluetooth.
Common Causes for iPhone Bluetooth Connectivity Issues in Cars
Having trouble connecting your iPhone to your car’s Bluetooth system? This frustrating issue can be attributed to a few common factors:
- Outdated Bluetooth Software: One of the primary reasons for connectivity problems is outdated Bluetooth software, either on the iPhone or the car’s system. Compatibility issues arise when the software versions aren’t synchronized.
- Interference or Signal Conflicts: Environmental factors like other devices or strong Wi-Fi signals can interfere with the Bluetooth connection. This can cause disruptions or prevent the iPhone from pairing with the car.
- Paired Devices Limit Reached: Both the iPhone and the car’s Bluetooth system have a limit to the number of devices they can pair with. If this limit has been reached, you must unpair a device before adding a new one.
- Corrupted Bluetooth Cache: Over time, the Bluetooth cache on the iPhone may become corrupted, leading to connectivity issues. Clearing the cache often resolves these problems.
- Incorrect Settings: Sometimes, incorrect settings on the iPhone or the car’s Bluetooth system can hinder the connection process. Ensuring that both devices are set up correctly is crucial.
- Software Glitches or Bugs: Bluetooth functions can encounter glitches or bugs like any software. These issues may need to be addressed through software updates or patches.
- Hardware Compatibility: In some cases, certain iPhones may not be fully compatible with older car Bluetooth systems. This can lead to limited functionality or connectivity problems.
Understanding these common causes can help you troubleshoot and resolve Bluetooth connectivity issues between your iPhone and car. In the following sections, we’ll delve into specific solutions for each problem.
How to Fix iPhone Won’t Connect to Car Bluetooth?
Here are several known methods of fixing iPhone bluetooth connectivity issues:
Check Bluetooth Is On
Before troubleshooting, first ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone. Open Settings and toggle Bluetooth on. The icon will turn blue when activated.
You can also toggle it on in Control Center by swiping down and tapping the Bluetooth icon.
Restart Your iPhone
Like a computer, sometimes an iPhone just needs a reboot. Restart your iPhone by pressing and holding the Side or Sleep/Wake button and Volume Down until the slider appears.
After rebooting, try connecting again. Restarts fix many minor software glitches stopping connections.
Reset Network Settings
Resetting network settings erases saved Bluetooth pairings and other network info, but can resolve persistent connectivity issues.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. You’ll have to repair devices, but it often fixes problems.
Update Your iPhone Software
Being on the latest iOS version ensures you have all the newest bug fixes and compatibility improvements for Bluetooth and other features.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update to download and install available iOS updates. Updating can fix car Bluetooth issues.
Toggle Bluetooth Off and On
Turning Bluetooth off and back on again can clear up minor software glitches preventing connections.
You can toggle Bluetooth off and back on in Settings or Control Center. Try reconnecting after toggling Bluetooth.
Check Carrier Settings
Carrier updates help iPhones communicate with cellular networks and can improve connectivity. Go to Settings > General > About to install pending carrier updates.
Forget Car Bluetooth Device
Open Settings > Bluetooth and tap the “i” next to your car’s device. Tap Forget This Device to erase and forget it. Then try pairing again from scratch.
Ensure Car Bluetooth Is On
Don’t forget to check the car side of things! Make sure your car’s Bluetooth system is powered on and discoverable before trying to connect your iPhone.
Check your car’s manual if you need help enabling Bluetooth pairing mode.
Turn Off Keyless Entry
Some users have reported turning off keyless entry in their car’s Bluetooth settings can fix connection issues with certain vehicles.
Tap your car’s entry in Bluetooth settings and try toggling Keyless Entry to Off if available.
Check for Car Software Updates
Like iPhones, car software needs periodic updates too. Check your car manufacturer’s website and your dealer for any available infotainment system updates.
Updating your car’s software can improve Bluetooth connectivity and compatibility.
Try Deleting Other Devices
If your car is paired with multiple phones, tablets, etc, try removing unused devices from the pairing list. Too many devices can sometimes cause connection conflicts.
Fewer paired devices streamlines reconnecting your iPhone.
Reset All Settings
Resetting all settings erases all customizations but keeps your data. It can fix persistent software glitches not resolved by standard resets.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. You’ll have to redo custom settings afterwards.
Get Support From Apple
If you’ve tried everything, schedule a Genius Bar appointment at the Apple Store. Apple technicians can run diagnostics to uncover any hardware or software issues preventing Bluetooth connections.
With some basic troubleshooting steps, you should be able to get your iPhone syncing with your car Bluetooth again. Let us know if any of these fixes resolved your connection problems!