Pairing iphone 13 and iPad

“Pairing unsuccessful” and sometimes “iPad is not supported” are messages when I try to pair these two. Apple Watch and other items pair without problem. Is there no solution to this?

iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on Jun 8, 2023 5:13 PM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Jun 9, 2023 6:34 AM

You refer to Continuity. This feature, while using both Bluetooth and WiFi, does not rely upon Apple devices being directly paired via Bluetooth.


Information about using Continuity can be found here:

Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch - Apple Support

7 replies

Jun 9, 2023 2:14 AM in response to Dumaresq12

What, specifically, are you attempting to achieve by pairing an iPhone and iPad over a Bluetooth connection?


Whilst it is technically possible to do so, for the majority of applications, Bluetooth pairing of an iPad and iPhone is entirely pointless. If your intention is to use Cellular Hotspot features of your iPhone, this link is optimally achieved using the native WiFi hotspot connection - this being a largely automated process. Hotspot connections over WiFi offer substantially greater throughput, range and reliability.


How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad – Apple Support


If you still wish to pair your iPad and iPhone over Bluetooth, you first need to manually enable the hotspot feature on your iPhone:

Settings > Mobile Data > Personal Hotspot > Allow Others to Join - set to ON


Next, Bluetooth for both the iPad and iPhone must be placed in Discovery mode:

Settings > Bluetooth (accessing this page will automatically place the device in Discovery mode)


Whilst both iPad and iPhone are in Discovery mode, you can mutually pair the devices.


Again, I must stress, unless you have an unusual “edge case”, pairing of iPad and iPhone over Bluetooth is largely pointless.


Pairing iphone 13 and iPad

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