Iphone will not turn on Bluetooth

The spinning lines (progress wheel) indicate that the iPhone is searching for discoverable devices, i.e Bluetooth is on. It should detect any discoverable devices in range (e.g. a BT headset). What device are you trying to pair with?

Note that the iPhone itself, although detectable by other devices such as a Bluetooth-enabled laptop, cannot transfer any data over Bluetooth. Only the headset and hands-free protocols are supported by the iPhone.

I am having the exact same problem. I try to turn on BT and it just spins forever. I have double checked that my bluetooth headset still works too. Anyone???

THe progress indicator (spinning wheel) never stops spinning. BT only works for BT ear pieces and hands free devices. Data transfer to BT computers is not possible. To connect your Ear piece or hands free device, you will need to follow directions for your device to pair it to the Iphone. WHen you device is paired per the directions that came with your device, it will show up in the Iphone list of paired devices. Example, my phone lists the PLT510 Plantronics Ear piece and the Chrysler Uconnect (hands free car connection) as both being paired, and the spinning wheel continues to spin. As long as BT is set to "ON"
it is on and should pair with compatible devices.

On another note, I recently discovered that my Uconnect from Dodge/Chrysler works reliably and I suspect this has happened after the 2.1 upgrade. Prior to that Uconnect worked once, even though it was still listed as paired, it didn't work until after the upgrade. Thanks for that fix Apple 🙂

You may need to restore your iPhone. See http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1776859&tstart=0. Did you put your iPhone in Airplane mode prior to this occuring? (Just curious...)

I had this exact problem (still do) after the first time i used airplane mode after upgrading firmware to 2.2.

Same issue.
Was in LA, did the 2.2 upgrade, flew back, no more BT.
My computer as well as all my colleagues can discover my handset, however I can not find the 4 BT device on my desk beside the handset. What is a poor guy to do? Too much snow for me to run soup cans and string.
This bites ***.

same issue - upgraded before my trip (around Thanksgiving), had everything off (airplane mode, turned off bluetooth, etc.). Now I'm back and Bluetooth won't "turn on" - it just keeps "spinning". I'm new to these forums. Do Apple folks monitor these threads?

I figured this out - you need to RESET the phone (different from powering off)

hold down both buttons (the top one and the one below the screen) until you see the black screen w/ apple logo. If you were doing just a power off you'd be holding down just the top button. Once my iphone reset itself, I was able to turn back on bluetooth and I am syncing to my handsfree stuff again. What a relief!

Yes, my bluetooth would not turn on after I used the airport mode. I tried resetting the phone, but that didn't work. My friend suggested I turn the airport mode on and off and now my bluetooth works.

I tried this but it did not work - Bluetooth just keeps spinning and does not find my headset.

I also tried the reset as well as the turn airplane off/on and neither works. Bluetooth still does not find any headset devices that can be found by other devices. Guess it just does not work.

Turn off the BT headset

Be sure the iPhone is BT on "now discoverable"

Hold the on button to your BT headset (most are hold power on, while others have a toggle switch to hold towards)

The headset would blink or make funny tones indicating the search.

Check the iPhone for the list now. Should be there.

May want to try a hard reset too. Fully power down.

New to the iPhone 3G got one for Christmas, everything is great except the BT, I too can't get it to turn on. The headset works with a couple other phone in the home, have reset it and put it in discover mode, but nothing seems to work, BT on the iPhone will not come on at all just spins as though it has been searching for more than a half hour. I have restored to factory default on the phone, but no dice any suggestions, have tried all these from the posts, getting ready to take back to store...:(

I had the exact problem with my 2G Iphone a couple month ago. Happened after a airplane flight, something with Airplane mode and turning the Iphone off. Anyway---I found the solution in this forum. I cannot remember the exact steps (sorry!!), but it involved turning Airplane mode on/off while trying to synch. Search this forum for around Oct 2008. I will look and post the link when I find it. Sorry I can remember the solution--but it's there!

Restoring should not be the issue here. I just upgraded to the 3G iPhone and everything worked but Bluetooth pairing. Here is the troubleshooting tip for Apple iPhone Headsets (it's probably similar if you have a non-Apple headset)

1) Turn the headset off.

2) Press and hold the headset button for about eight seconds, until you hear the startup tones and then five quick high beeps. The headset remains discoverable for about five minutes. The status light blinks green for as long as the headset is discoverable. During this time, your iPhone should sense the headset—you can confirm it by going into Settings>General>Bluetooth>Then press the device name once it pops up.

Hope that helps....