iPhone 16 Pro Max won't connect to Bluetooth devices

You're not writing anyone at Apple here on this user to user only forum. I have at least 9 Bluetooth devices successfully paired with my iPhone 16 Pro Max. There is no systemic issue with Bluetooth on the new phones.

The most common reasons it may be difficult to pair a Bluetooth device with an iPhone:

1. It may be paired to another device, which is close by and powered on.
2. It hasn't been put in pairing mode per the manufacturers directions.
3. The device itself may have a limit to the number of pairings it can accommodate and if it does, factory resetting the device may solve this (again, using the manufacturers directions to factory reset the device).
4. If it's a car you can't pair with, this is often because of two primary reasons: One the name of the old phone is still listed in Settings > General > About > Name - change the name of the phone to a new name. And you didn't tell the car head unit to forget the old phone which was paired, which is usually in the settings within the infotainment system in the car.

OK, so what would you like us to say or do about it?

We are not Apple.

Make an appointment at the Genius Bar and have it checked if you think something is wrong. Take some of the devices it won't pair to with you to test.

studioslave996 wrote:

I am aware it's a forum. I am an audio engineer in the music biz & extremely tech. All devises that had my old phone were deleted. My issue, along with dozens on the forum is the same.16's have an issue... Several of my devices won't pair. I am aware of your reply suggestions. Nothing works. 2 of my cars paired, one won't, my boat won't pair as well as a pair of Bose headphones... My wife's I-phone 14, no issue with all devises.

If you look deeper, you will see Apple has suggested a software issue, same as they had for months with some printers, since fixed....

It certainly didn't appear you were aware this is a user to user only forum, when you say "please fix it." How would you think other users, none of whom work for Apple can fix anything?

It's great you're extremely tech. I still don't believe there is any systemic issue with BT on iPhone 16 Pro Max phones. You also say hundreds are having an issue. You are guessing at best at that, but out of the millions upon millions of iPhone 16 Pro Max phones out in the world, even if it was hundreds, it would be statistically insignificant considering the millions who aren't having any BT connection issues. That doesn't mean you aren't having an issue. If nothing I provided helps you and you have actually tried EVERYTHING I suggested, then schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar for direct help from Apple.

No one here can diagnose what is happening on your phone with whichever devices aren't pairing.

And you're welcome, by the way. We are volunteer users who take our personal time to try to help users. I certainly didn't need to waste my time trying to help you as you clearly weren't even appreciative I took my time to try.

I'm sorry nothing I provided helped you. Why don't we tackle this more exactly. Please tell us exactly what devices/cars you can't pair with your iPhone and the steps you've taken to try to get them to pair?

I just started experiencing BT issues with multiple devices out of the blue (ha!) just yesterday. Won’t connect to my Tesla or my Oura Rings. Still connects to my Apple Watch Ultra. I’ve never had issues before this. I have iPhone 16 Pro Max and latest iOS 18.5. I’ll reach out to AppleCare but sharing here for awareness.