Bluetooth is a convenient wireless protocol that allows you to connect your iOS device to a number of handy accessories, including speakers, keyboards, smartwatches, and more. This MacTrast How To will guide new iOS users through the steps to quickly connect to a Bluetooth accessory.
Make sure your Bluetooth accessory is powered on and ready for pairing. Different accessories have different types of power switches, as well as pairing switches. Consult your accessory’s manual for more information.
Tap the “Settings” icon on your iOS device’s home screen. Now, tap on the “Bluetooth” menu option in the “Settings” menu.
Once you’re in the Bluetooth menu, make sure the Bluetooth switch is toggled to “On.” (The switch will be green.) If it is set to “Off,” tap the switch until it shows green.
Again, if you haven’t done so already, make sure your Bluetooth accessory is turned on, and in pairing mode. (Again, consult your accessory’s product manual for more information.)
Now, look for the name of the Bluetooth accessory in the “MY DEVICES” list below the Bluetooth toggle switch. (Your accessory’s product manual will likely tell you what the name of the device will show as. So yeah, it’s a good idea to keep that manual nearby, we’ll be referring to it again shortly.)
Tap the name of the accessory you want to pair with your iOS device and wait. You should see the progress indicator spin for just a few seconds, and then you’ll likely see “Connected” next to the name of the accessory.
Depending on the type of Bluetooth accessory you’re pairing with your iPhone or iPad, you may see a request to enter a 4-digit code to complete pairing with the device. Usually, it consists of “0000,” but it could be a different number. Again, see your accessory’s manual for more information. (You kept it nearby, right?)
Now it’s time to try out the new Bluetooth accessory. If you just connected a speaker or a set of headphones, play some music, and rock on with your bad self! If it’s a new keyboard, open up notes and try entering some text via the new keyboard.
While your Bluetooth accessory will likely reconnect with your iOS device whenever you power the accessory on, it may not always do so. If this happens, manually reconnect, following the steps above. If it still won’t connect, you may need to tell your iOS device to “forget” the accessory, and then re-pair it again.
To forget an accessory, tap the blue “i” to the right of the device’s name in the Bluetooth menu and then tap “Forget this device.” Then re-pair it following the above steps.
This is just the first “Beginner’s Corner” how to article we have planned for new Mac and iOS users. Keep your eye out for more in the near future.
