Using your iPhone for day-to-day business tasks makes it an invaluable tool, especially for phone calls using a Bluetooth headset. In the rare times that your iPhone's Bluetooth connection process does not seem to work properly, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can use. Many times, double-checking that the remote device is fully charged and in the proper mode resolves the problem. If that doesn't work, you can try other solutions.
Understanding Basic Bluetooth Terminology
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Before you start to troubleshoot, a basic understanding of Bluetooth terminology and what the terms mean with respect to the devices that use it is helpful. A Bluetooth device, such as your iPhone, that looks for remote devices is in an "inquiring" mode. A device that is waiting to be found, such as a Bluetooth headset, is in "discoverable" mode. In this mode, the device is just waiting for the iPhone to connect and to exchange security information, which is called "pairing." It is important to know what these terms mean since they are commonly used in the documentation but sometimes not explained completely.
Check iPhone Bluetooth Status
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First double-check that Bluetooth is turned on in your iPhone. Tap "Settings" and select "Bluetooth." Confirm the Bluetooth switch reads "On." If Bluetooth is turned on, your iPhone automatically searches for remote devices. When devices are found, they appear in the list as they are located and identified. Tap the name of the device you want to connect with and follow the prompts to complete the pairing process.
Check Remote Device Bluetooth and Battery Status
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If the device you are looking for does not appear in the Bluetooth search list, then confirm the device you are trying to locate is in the proper Bluetooth discoverable mode. The process to put devices into this mode varies depending on each device, so you must have the user documentation available to verify you are executing the process properly. If the device is battery powered, you may need to replace the batteries before continuing.
Restart or Reset Your iPhone
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If you are certain the remote device is in the proper mode, then restart your iPhone by powering it off then powering it back on. If a retest of the Bluetooth search still fails, reset the phone by pressing and holding the "Home" and "Sleep/Wake" buttons for 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo. After the phone resets, test the Bluetooth connection again.
Factory Restore Your iPhone
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If the problem persists, check that the remote device is discoverable by some other Bluetooth device. Use your computer or a friend's phone to test whether the Bluetooth device is operable with another device. If it is, the problem is limited to your iPhone. In this situation, which is rare, perform a factory restore of the iPhone. This should be a last resort step since the process takes time and deletes all your settings and files on the phone. Before initiating a factory restore, back up your phone to iCloud or to iTunes, depending on your preferences.
Version Information
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The information in this article applies to iPhones running iOS 6. The steps may be different for other versions of iOS.
