Charge the accessory, place it in discovery mode near iPhone, toggle Bluetooth, then forget and pair it again. Check the accessory maker’s limit on remembered devices before resetting iPhone network settings. Test the accessory with another phone to learn whether the fault is in the accessory or in the iPhone.
What this covers
- Standard Bluetooth accessories paired through iPhone Settings
What it does not cover
- ×AirPlay-only speakers or MFi hearing devices with a separate setup flow
Try in this order
0 of 4 completedCharge and enable discovery mode
ReversibleCharge both devices and use the accessory’s documented control to make it discoverable near iPhone.
Toggle Bluetooth in Settings
ReversibleOpen Settings › Bluetooth, turn Bluetooth off, wait briefly, and turn it on again.
Restart both devices
ReversibleRestart iPhone and fully power-cycle the accessory, then retry pairing.
Forget and pair again
Reset / data riskTap the Info button beside the accessory, choose Forget This Device, clear the pairing on the accessory if required, and pair again.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions about “iPhone will not connect to a Bluetooth accessory”
Is it a fault in the iPhone or the accessory?+
Try pairing the accessory with another phone and pair another accessory with your iPhone. Whichever fails to pair shows where the fault lies, and tells you whether to contact the accessory's maker or Apple.
Why won't a Bluetooth accessory connect?+
The accessory may be paired elsewhere, or the connection may be corrupted.
Is the accessory in pairing mode?+
Make sure it is discoverable.
Is the accessory charged?+
A low battery can prevent pairing. Charge it and try again.
Is it already paired to another device?+
Many accessories connect to only one device at a time. Disconnect it from the other device first.
Should I reset network settings?+
As a later step, resetting network settings clears Bluetooth pairings and can fix stubborn faults.
Do accessory firmware updates matter?+
Yes. Some accessories need a firmware update through their own app to stay compatible with newer iOS versions, so check the accessory's app.
Could interference from other devices matter?+
Bluetooth shares airwaves with other wireless devices. Move other wireless devices away, keep the accessory close and try again. Removing old, unused pairings can also help.
Could the iPhone or accessory need a restart?+
Restarting both devices clears a stuck Bluetooth stack. Turn Bluetooth off and on, restart the iPhone and power-cycle the accessory before trying to pair again. Many pairing problems clear after this simple sequence.