Difference between "Pairing" and "Connecting" in BlueTooth.

Question

Difference between "Pairing" and "Connecting" in BlueTooth.

What is the difference between "Pairing" and "Connecting" in terms of BlueTooth?

I have a Plantronics 520 headset. It "Pairs" and "Connects" with my MacBookPro O.K. but with my iPhone 3G it "Pairs" but won't "Connect". The spinning gear just goes round for ever and no request for the code "0000" comes up on the iPhone 3G.

TIA.

12".PB. (Rev A). & 15" MBP, Mac OS X (10.5.6), iPhone 3G

Posted on May 14, 2009 12:34 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Jason L

Community Specialist

May 14, 2009 1:08 PM in response to Graham Fielder

Hi Graham,

When you pair the iPhone with the bluetooth headset, you enter the key just like you would if you were joining a Wi-Fi network. When the iPhone is paired with the headset, it can reconnect without entering the key again.

This article: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1664 provides more details about pairing the iPhone with a bluetooth headset.

-Jason

Reply

Answer 2

May 14, 2009 1:09 PM in response to Graham Fielder

In order to 'pair' one Bluetooth device to another, a passcode has to be exchanged between the two devices. You need to be sure your headset is in "discoverable" mode before you attempt to pair with your phone.

Begin with the headset turned off. Press and hold the call button until the headset begins to flash blue and red.

If you need more help, go here and click on the "Bluetooth Pairing Guide. http://www.plantronics.com/northamerica/enUS/products/mobile/bluetooth-headsets/voyager-520

Reply

Answer 3

May 14, 2009 1:34 PM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

I have done everything that your web site suggests. The headset flashes red and blue and the iPhone says it's Paired and is "Now Discoverable" and the Devices icon keeps spinning but until I can get the request for the code I guess I can't connect. Incidentally the headset stops flashing Red/Blue as soon as it pairs.
Thanks anyway for your help.

Reply

Answer 4

May 14, 2009 5:51 PM in response to Graham Fielder

The devices icon will keep spinning whenever you are on the bluetooth page because going to that page puts your phone in the "discoverable" mode until you leave that page.

However, I don't understand why you don't get the code entry.

Is your iPhone already paired with another device? According to the iPhone User Guide, page 45: "If you’ve paired iPhone with a device and want to use another device instead, you must unpair the first device. Unpair a device:
1 In Settings, choose General > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.
2 Choose the device and tap Unpair."

Reply

Answer 5

May 15, 2009 12:38 PM in response to Jim VanLeeuwen

Hi Jim:

No I tried to pair a Plantronics 590 stereo a few weeks ago but "unpaired" it when I was told that the 3G does not have A2DP required for stereo output - so I'm hoping that the new software next month will correct this problem. In the meantime I bought a 520. I notice that sometimes after I turn the iPhone on and then get the red/blue flashing on the 520 that the iPhone initially says "unpaired" and only pairs after tapping the screen and the 520 then flashes blue. Then it goes into "forever wait" mode! Thanks for the time you're spending on this.

Reply