Need automated shortcut to turn off BT on IPad when connected to CarPlay.

Question

Need automated shortcut to turn off BT on IPad when connected to CarPlay.

I have an iPad and iPhone on the latest iOS and wear hearing aids (MFI) that stream content using a BT connection. Often, after using my iPad at home or at a coffee shop and being connected to my HA for streaming, I leave and often go on other errands with my iPad stored in the trunk. My HA stay connected via BT to the iPad, then when I’m out of the car I find that my iPhone won’t connect to my HA’s due to the existing connection to the iPad in my car. The challenge is remembering to toggle BT off on the iPad.

I want to be able to run a shortcut on my iPhone either manually or automatic that will turn the BT off on the iPad even when it is out of range. Is that possible?

Or could I create a shortcut that turns Bluetooth off on JUST the iPad that is in my trunk or in the car with me when the iPhone connects to CarPlay?

I did create an automation to turn off BT on the iPad whenever it leaves my home network or I leave my home address, but that won’t cover the scenario when I stop for awhile at a coffee shop but forget to turn off BT on the iPad later. Sometimes I’m at an appointment or meeting and cannot return to the car and manually toggle BT on the iPad.

The connection to CarPlay to trigger the shortcut would be the best scenario. Appreciate any suggestions.

iPad mini, iPadOS 26

Posted on Dec 18, 2025 1:24 PM

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Answer 1

6x6

Level 6

19,353 points

Dec 18, 2025 4:26 PM in response to inspiredlogic

This is a hack. If your iPad stays connected to a network (Wi-Fi or cellular), you could create an automation on the iPad based on a Focus mode (let's say Do Not Disturb as an example). The automation (on the iPad) would turn off Bluetooth (using the Set Bluetooth action) when the Focus mode is turned on (or off).

If you synchronize your Focus modes between your devices (this is the default), turning on (or off) the Focus mode on your iPhone would trigger the automation on your iPad.

You could even create a specific, aptly-named, Focus mode (in Settings > Focus) for this purpose.

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Answer 2

Dec 18, 2025 7:02 PM in response to 6x6

I appreciate the ideas. I’ve made some progress, but the solution isn’t yet complete. When I leave home with the iPad, when it disconnects from the Home Network, Bluetooth turns off. When I arrive at the coffee shop and setup to do some work using a BT keyboard, Bluetooth is turned on.

Now, sometimes I lose track of time and suddenly I’m in a rush to get back on the road and I hurriedly pack the iPad up and forget to turn BT off so that my hearing aids will connect to my phone. So I need another shortcut perhaps that recognizes I’ve left a location and if so, turn the BT off.

Using a custom Focus mode was a good idea, but it requires manually turning it on which, requires remembering to do so. If there was an action that recognizes I’ve left a location as I walk back to my car and BT on the iPad is turned off, that would be perfect. And I try lots of coffee shops and locations for meetings so I need an open ended Focus mode that isn’t specific on a location.

This is all driven by my forgetting to turn BT off and therefore must be an automatic action without my input. I’m halfway there with the disconnect from the Home Network triggering the shortcut.

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Answer 3

6x6

Level 6

19,353 points

Dec 19, 2025 7:20 AM in response to inspiredlogic

You mentioned CarPlay. Is your iPhone connecting to CarPlay when you enter your vehicle? If so, create another personal automation, this one on your iPhone, based on connecting to CarPlay. This automation would turn on the “special” Focus mode referred above. Your iPad would see it and its own automation would turn off its own Bluetooth.

By the way, you could use the Driving Focus mode as it seems rather appropriate.

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Answer 4

Dec 18, 2025 1:42 PM in response to inspiredlogic

what is a ha

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Answer 5

Dec 19, 2025 7:51 AM in response to Smartboiiyeet

Hearing aid

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Answer 6

Dec 19, 2025 7:54 AM in response to 6x6

Yes, I only connect the iPhone to CarPlay, the iPad is only going for a ride without connection to network, iPhone or CarPlay. I will give it a try later today with the focus modes. Thanks.

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