iPhone not finding devices with bluetooth
 

I’ve searched other help forums but so far no answer. I’ve got an iPhone XR and it won’t find Bluetooth devices. I’ve tried the switching off and back on, making sure privacy settings are appropriate.....my phone and my car connect ok but try and connect anything else and the hunt for devices is endless! Any suggestions welcomed thanks.

SWMBO uses bluetooth Apple to gadgets more than me. With her Cambridge speaker, she presses a button on the Speaker, having turned off both Apple and Cambridge. Once it has recognised it, it is fine.
When she connects to my pride and joy hi-fi, via a Logitech gadget, it required a button on the top of the gadget to be pressed, again after turning both off, and back on again.

I nearly had to read the instructions!!

Hopefully my post appears in time - I'm new and posts are checked first.

Bluetooth requires one device to be found and the other device to search for it. Lets assume iPhone shall search, "another device" needs to be found and connected to.

Typically devices are invisible by default - higher security. So first make one "another device" visible - read the manual - this typically makes it visible for like 1 Minute.

Only now start the search in the iPhone for BT devices. If it finds multiple devices, try to guess for the name.

Select one, then typically a passcode is shown on both devices to make sure it's really the desired couple. Compare and OK it on both sides.

Note that iPhones often could only connect to certain classes of other devices in the past - also for higher security. So with Android I could connect to my computer to send a file. IIRC Iphone was not to send files by definition.

I bought a Dyson heater with Bluetooth capability. Read the manual. Found the heater on the Dyson app, followed the instructions but no joy. My phone connects to my car’s Bluetooth but searching for other devices - I’ve got a speaker that used to work ok but now the phone is constantly searching to no avail.

That means your very phone did work with BT devices, but not anymore?
I thought iphones are magic and never fail.
If you see those other BT devices still listed as paired on the phone, try to remove the pairing and set it up again.
Otherwise contact Apple Support

Have you tried disabling Bluetooth access on the Dyson, and then re-enabling it? As a further step (if needed and if available) you could try a complete reset of the Dyson to factory defaults and starting from scratch.
In my experience it is usually the 'other' gadget (not the phone) that is causing issues because the phone continually gets updated and the gadget lags behind, or doesn't adress technical issues that crop up quickly enough.

Generally yes, but the pal here seems to have issues with more than the Dyson. A BT speaker also doesn't work, and I read he can't find and pair any device. RAC/OPS , please confirm or describe more details. And please tell if you are experienced with all settings and Bluetooth basics or if that's totally foreign land.

The Car connection works, and I assume iPhone and Car have been paired once and still remember each other.
The connection to the dyson doesn't work anymore - or have never worked?
Are any of the devices you want to connect already listed as "known devices" in the BT settings of the iPhone?

Yes. The car is the only device that the phone remembers. Nothing else is listed. I don’t have the speaker anymore but there’s a digital radio at work I’ve tried pairing to as well....here’s a pic of what I get when I open BT in settings:
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....61e9ae9a83.png

Ok, RAC/OPS no other entry in your BT list, no problem with existing pairings.

I don't know if iPhone let you connect to an Internet Radio.
I don't know if iPhone can communicate with a Dyson. Yes I bet those 2 overpriced brands like each other
BUT: Those devices should at least appear as potential candidates for pairing once you scan for new BT devices.
You just need to make sure that these are eletronically visible the moment you scan. See your screenshot. The moment you open the BT config page, iPhone states "Now discoverable...". Make sure you put the other devices into such a state.
Can you try with a friends' Bluetooth Speaker? These are simple to setup. If it doesn't work, you have a software problem on your iPhone.

I'm glad I dont have to use my Business iPhone for private purposes. I was tired trying to connect an iPhone to "forbidden" devices.

Judging by the screen shot you posted, I suggest you try charging the phone's battery; "iphones" close down some features if there's not enough charge.

Thanks shytorque, but that screenshot was for the benefit of this thread. The issue is ongoing.

https://www.imore.com/how-to-fix-bluetooth-iphone-ipad

Seems pretty reasonable.

Will Apple Support talk to you?

Jeez! Ok, I can quit to find a solution for RAC/OPS.
Reminds me of trying to connect a JBL Speaker to my Business iphone 7. The iphone acceped it as speaker. But not as a Hands Free device. There was no way to make use of the JBL microphone to use it as a conference room speaker. Can make grey hair.

Yes, my reply had a little of "tongue in cheek" about it.

I wanted to connect my GoPro to my iphone a couple of days ago, which involves entering a code. The phone found the camera, but wouldn't pair (it wouldn't allow a code to be entered). I found that by deleting the phone reference to the GoPro and repeating the exercise eventually solved the problem.

In my experience, bluetooth still is some distance away from being a perfect and reliable science. I know that's not a solution for this one; it's simply offered in the observation that not all bluetooth devices want to play happily. Most do, but other combinations simply refuse to co-operate - and I've persevered in some instances to the point of giving up and reaching for a couple of beers (it didn't work after that either). Don't despair - some things are just not meant to be. But that shouldn't deter you from exploring all options - as you are. Good luck, may success be yours to enjoy ...

The imore link posted above is for an older iOS version, I'm sure that some of the tips are still valid but it might be worth looking for more recent advice. My experiences with Bluetooth are different, I've used it in loads of hire cars, regularly use it with a Bose headset, different JBL speakers, in my own car, always works very well. That's with an iPhone 8 running the latest iOS. I would suggest a call to the Apple helpdesk, they're the best source for solid troubleshooting info.

Thanks Jhieminga, point taken. It may well be that bluetooth devices will present less problems with the IOS devices because there are much fewer variations in hardware and software options. My cynicism has come about from trying to get bluetooth operating with various (independent) combinations of Windows, Android and third party devices. My Bose headphones work happily with my Samsung phone(s) but I tried three different USB adaptors before I could connect them to my Windows desktop machine - even then, it's not a reliable or confident marriage. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't (and won"t). That particular desktop USB bluetooth device won't work however with the Logitech bluetooth receiver connected to the audio system in the next room - I need a different one. The Garmin Glo bluetooth GPS works with one laptop (Windows thinks it's a headphone!), but not with the other. It works with Samsung tablets (sometimes). One bluetooth keyboard worked OK with the Samsung tablet, but could not be discovered by our Samsung TV. I subsequently purchased a Logitech BT keyboard which the Samsung TV seems to get along with quite well.

On the positive side, my Android phones work well in our two motor vehicles. Incoming coming calls are fine. Sadly, the hands free / voice recognition system in both of them is a total disaster, but that's hardly a bluetooth issue.

Sometimes new technology is progress; other times, well, I'm not quite so sure ...

I do not know whether or not this might be relevant, but my Panasonic TV can only be a "receiver" for bluetooth, or a "sender". It cannot be both at the same time, and when I once had the patience to search the depths of the settings, it told me that when I switched it, it would only switch back if I again spent good drinking time in the depths of the menu.
Whatever I was trying to do, I decided that life was too short, so I gave up.

The mystery deepens: I bravely told my phone to forget the VW phone thinking that it was now lost forever. But it successfully paired with it again. I’m now thinking operator error, but I’m not doing things any different from before. The speaker I mentioned earlier used to pair, but not any more, nor the radio at work.

Have you contacted Apple Support?