Bluetooth on the iPad mini 6 is Bluetooth 5.0 and it handles the Apple Pencil 2, which attaches to the mini's side and charges and pairs magnetically, as well as keyboards, headphones and controllers. Apple's page for an accessory that will not connect starts with the basics: Bluetooth on in Settings, the accessory charged and in discovery mode, and close to the iPad; remove and pair it again if it was paired before.
The checks in more detail
The Apple Pencil 2 is paired by attaching it to the magnetic strip on the right side, and if it does not pair, remove the case or a cover that sits between them, check the Pencil's battery and restart the iPad. A Smart Keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard that lags is often low on battery. Audio that stutters points to interference from Wi-Fi on 2.4 GHz or distance. A restart and an iPadOS update fix many glitches, and Reset Network Settings clears stubborn pairings and saved Wi-Fi. Controllers pair through Settings, Bluetooth, and a PlayStation or Xbox controller must be in pairing mode.
For a wireless keyboard on a small iPad such as the mini, check that the keyboard is not also connected to a Mac or phone, because many keyboards hold only one active connection and will not respond to the iPad if another device grabbed it. Switch the keyboard to its iPad channel, if it has several, and confirm that it appears as connected in Bluetooth settings before typing, since a connected keyboard shows the on-screen keyboard disappearing. If audio from the mini sounds delayed in videos, the Bluetooth headphones add latency;
choose a pair with a low-latency mode or use wired headphones through a USB-C adapter for games and video editing. AirPods generally keep sound close to the picture on an iPad. Game controllers connect to the mini through Bluetooth and need to be in pairing mode, usually with a long press of a button on the controller, and a PlayStation or Xbox controller that was last used on a console connects to the console instead when switched on near it. Switch the console off or move away before pairing the controller to the iPad, and then it connects reliably.
Differential
Likely causes of “Apple iPad mini will not pair or stay connected over Bluetooth”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An Apple Pencil 2 not seated on the magnetic edge
What separates it No pairing prompt appears
How to confirm Remove the case and press the Pencil flat on the right edge
- 2
A keyboard still connected to another device
What separates it Keys do nothing
How to confirm Switch it to the iPad channel or disconnect the other device
- 3
A headset pairing gone stale
What separates it It shows but will not connect
How to confirm Forget it and pair again
- 4
Busy 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi near the tablet
What separates it Audio breaks up
How to confirm Move the router's clients to 5 GHz
- 5
A glitch in the iPadOS Bluetooth stack
What separates it The toggle is grayed out
How to confirm Restart, update, then reset network settings
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which accessory fails
- Whether the Pencil has charge and sits on the edge
- Whether the accessory is also paired to a Mac or phone
- The iPadOS version
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCheck Bluetooth is on
ReversibleSettings, Bluetooth.
Seat the Pencil on the edge
ReversibleFlat against the right side, with no case between.
Switch the keyboard's channel
ReversibleOr disconnect it from the other device.
Forget and re-pair the headset
ReversibleIn Bluetooth settings.
Restart and update
ReversibleiPadOS.
Reset network settings
ReversibleIf everything else fails.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Magnetic Pencil
- It pairs and charges on the side.
- Controllers
- They pair from Bluetooth settings.
- A record helps
- Dates and versions speed up support.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !A grayed-out toggle after a network reset needs Apple service
- !If the Pencil fails on another iPad, it needs replacing
- !If a headset fails on every device, contact its maker
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I pair the Pencil 2 with the mini?+
Attach it to the right edge.
Why does my keyboard not respond?+
It may be on another device.
Which Bluetooth version?+
5.0.
Will a reset delete data?+
No.