How to Turn on Bluetooth on Your iPhone or Android: 4 Easy Methods

PDF download Download Article
How to enable Bluetooth on an iPhone or Android device
PDF download Download Article

Bluetooth is a wireless method used to connect a variety of electronic devices together. [1] It has become the most popular method of connecting wireless devices. Can't find Bluetooth on your phone? There are many different types of operating systems, which all have different methods of enabling Bluetooth. This wikiHow article teaches you how to enable Bluetooth on Android and iOS phones.

Things You Should Know

  • On an iPhone, you can enable Bluetooth by tapping the Bluetooth icon in the Control Center or by going to "Settings > Bluetooth."
  • On an Android, you can enable Bluetooth by tapping the Bluetooth icon in the Quick Settings menu or by going to "Settings > Bluetooth."
  • If your Bluetooth isn't working, consider restarting your phone or checking for an update.
Section 1 of 5:

iPhone Control Center

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-1-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-1-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will open the Control Center, which allows you to easily adjust some settings on your iPhone without having to open the Settings app. [2]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-2-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-2-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5b\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-2-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-2-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    In the section in the upper-left corner of the Control Center, the Bluetooth button is in the bottom-right. The icon looks like a "B".
    • The Bluetooth button will turn blue once it is active.
    3. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

iPhone Settings

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-3-Version-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-3-Version-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c0\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-3-Version-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-3-Version-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The Settings application gives you various options to modify your phone and change other application settings.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This should be your third option within settings.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will turn on Bluetooth and automatically search for devices that are near enough to connect to.
    4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 5:

Android Quick Settings

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6f\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-6-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-6-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will open the Quick Settings menu.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Depending on your phone model, the Bluetooth icon may be in a different location, but the icon looks like a "B".
    • Once you tap the Bluetooth icon, the background will turn blue to show that it's active.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Swiping down a second time will expand the Quick Settings menu. From this menu you should be able to enable Bluetooth.
    4. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

Android Settings

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6c\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-9-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-9-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The logo for the settings menu is a cogwheel. [3]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/90\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-10-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-10-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The name of this menu item varies depending on what phone model you have. On a Google Pixel you'll want to look for Connected devices and on Samsung you'll want to look for Connections . [4] [5]
    • On a Google Pixel, you must also select the Connection preferences option after selecting Connected devices .
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-11-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-11-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/38\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-11-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-11-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    After you turn on Bluetooth, your phone will start searching for nearby Bluetooth devices.
    4. Advertisement
Section 5 of 5:

Troubleshooting your Device

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-12-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-12-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/df\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-12-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-12-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Many times your phone, like a computer, can overheat or just be running for too long of a period. Sometimes we don't think of our phones as a computer, but phones can benefit from a simple reboot. After turning off your device, wait one minute before restarting it.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is known as a "soft reset" and can help fix some network and connection problems. [6]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-14.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-14.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-14.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-14.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your phone's operating system is out of date, you could be missing out on an important bug fix for Bluetooth.
    • You'll often need to either be connected to a computer or Wi-Fi to perform an update. This process takes some time, so be ready with your charger nearby.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-15.jpg\/v4-460px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-15.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/97\/Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-15.jpg\/v4-728px-Turn-on-Bluetooth-on-Your-Phone-Step-15.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you are having trouble with a device you've already paired your phone with, try starting from scratch. [7]
    5. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    My Bluetooth always turns off and I cannot open it. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    If the Bluetooth function does not turn on at all, contact your cell phone provider for assistance.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 3
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      • Best practice is to turn Bluetooth off when you're finished. Bluetooth is known to deplete your battery life if you leave it on for an extended period of time.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Does Your PC or Mac Have Bluetooth? 4 Ways to Check
      Use Your Bluetooth to Share Your Phone’s Internet Connection
      How to
      Wear Wireless Earbuds
      Why Are Your Beats Not Showing Up on Bluetooth? Here's How to Fix It
      Connecting Bluetooth Headphones to a PC: Windows 10 + 11
      How to
      Connect Your Phone to Your Car
      Connect Two Bluetooth Speakers to a PC or Mac at the Same Time
      How to
      Share Apps on Android Bluetooth
      How to
      Use a Bluetooth Dongle on Windows or Mac
      How to
      Stop Other Devices From Connecting to Bluetooth
      Pair Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds on iPhone & iPad: 6 Easy Steps
      How to
      Connect a Bluetooth Speaker to a Computer
      How to
      Connect Airpods to Zoom
      Use Your Bluetooth to Share Your Phone’s Internet Connection
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth.htm
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202769
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/android-one/answer/2819579?hl=en
      4. ↑ https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2819579?hl=en
      5. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/au/support/mobile-devices/pair-bluetooth-device-to-galaxy-phone/
      6. ↑ http://www.techlicious.com/how-to/how-to-fix-bluetooth-pairing-problems/
      7. ↑ http://www.techlicious.com/how-to/how-to-fix-bluetooth-pairing-problems/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 144,767 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement