3 Fixes for iPhone Not Connecting to a Bluetooth Speaker

Quick Fixes

• Forget the Bluetooth speaker connection from Settings > Bluetooth, and re-pair it.
• Reset all iPhone Settings under Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.

Basic Fixes

• Check the Bluetooth speaker battery: Most Bluetooth speakers have an LED indicator suggesting its current charge. If it’s briefly connected to your iPhone, check the battery widget to know its current battery level.
• Reset Bluetooth speaker to factory settings: Locate and long-press the Reset button (check the product manual) on the Bluetooth speaker to reset it. The duration may vary depending on the speaker’s brand and model.
• Use the Bluetooth speaker companion app: Install the dedicated Bluetooth speaker app on your iPhone, such as Bose Connect, from the Apple App Store. Follow its instructions to pair and connect the Bluetooth speaker to your iPhone.
• Force restart your iPhone: Press and quickly release Volume Up, followed by the Volume Down button. Press and hold the side button and release it when the Apple logo appears.
• Disable the Low Power Mode: Head to iPhone settings > Battery > turn off the Low Power Mode.
• Update iOS: Select General under iPhone settings, tap Software Update, and select Install Now (if available) to update iOS.

Fix 1: Forget and Pair the Speaker Again

If your Bluetooth speaker disconnects frequently, forget its connection and re-pair it to your iPhone to solve its existing Bluetooth issues.

Step 1: Open the Settings app > select Bluetooth > tap on i next to the connected Bluetooth speaker.

Step 2: Select Forget This Device > tap on Forget Device to remove it.

Step 3: Finally, select your Bluetooth speaker name under Other Devices during scanning to pair it again.

Fix 2: Disable Auto-Connect for Bluetooth Devices on iPhone

If your iPhone is paired with multiple Bluetooth accessories, your Bluetooth speaker may have trouble connecting if other accessories connect first automatically. To resolve it, disable the Auto-connect feature for other Bluetooth devices or manually disconnect them.

Step 1: Open Bluetooth settings on your iPhone and tap on i next to the connected Bluetooth device (other than the Bluetooth speaker).

Step 2: Toggle off the Auto-connect feature. If it isn’t available, tap on Disconnect to prevent it from connecting automatically to your iPhone.

Note: The Auto-connect feature only shows up on certain Bluetooth accessories on iPhones.

Fix 3: Reset iPhone Settings

Lastly, reset all settings on your iPhone to remove incorrect device configurations preventing the Bluetooth speaker from connecting to your iPhone.

Step 1: Open iPhone settings > select General > tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 2: Select Reset > tap on Reset All Settings. Enter your device passcode when prompted to confirm the action.