Why do my Bluetooth devices not connect automatically to my iPad air?

Question

Level 1

10 points

Why do my Bluetooth devices not connect automatically to my iPad air?

I've paired a few devices to my iPad Air, most notably a Bluetooth keyboard and a Bluetooth audio receiver.

None of these devices appears to connect automatically once they are turned on and Bluetooth is enabled on the iPad. I have to manually select the device from the Bluetooth menu in settings. Hardly an arduous task, but it would be a lot simpler if these devices just connected automatically - especially given that all my other devices cope with it just fine.

Why won't these devices connect and what would be a good workaround?

Thanks!

iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Jan 5, 2014 1:28 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Pprof

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2017 2:49 AM in response to amruth92

It is very simple. They should implement a auto-connect option for every blootooth device, just like they have implemented now for wifi in IOS 11.

The fact that this has not been done yet is to give an avantage to Apple’s own products like Apple tv. There is absolutely no other explanation for that. Android doesn’t have any of those restrictions.

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Answer 2

amruth92 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jan 5, 2014 1:50 PM in response to bobseufert

But surely if I've paired them to the iPad, turned them on, and they're not connected to another device, it's almost a given that I'd want to be connecting to them with the iPad?

So the only way to get round it is to connect manually then, I'm guessing... that's a shame.

Thanks for your help!

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Answer 3

Ahertel

Level 1

4 points

Feb 9, 2016 4:03 PM in response to amruth92

You could try -

Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
Scroll down and tap General.
Next tap Handoff & Suggested Apps.
Turn off Handoff.

This is normally used to allow you to carry on browsing on other Apple devices.

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Answer 4

efbrazil

Level 1

8 points

Nov 4, 2017 11:55 AM in response to Pprof

true, this is really sad and hobbles any bluetooth that doesn’t use proprietary apple chips. you either get apple’s evil lock in behavior or android’s insecure, fragmented, unsupported platform. i choose apple but evil crap like forcing bluetooth with iphone 7 and then ignoring bluetooth usability except with their own devices *****. apple is evil.

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Answer 5

bobseufert

Level 6

15,838 points

Jan 5, 2014 1:36 PM in response to amruth92

It is working as designed. It doesn't connect automatically so you're not connected to any device with a Bluetooth signal, only the ones you want to be connected to.

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Answer 6

bobseufert

Level 6

15,838 points

Jan 5, 2014 3:40 PM in response to amruth92

All might not be lost yet. Page 45 of the iPad User Guide states "Once it's paired, the keyboard reconnects to iPad whenever it's in range." It's worth a look.

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Answer 7

Jan 5, 2014 3:49 PM in response to amruth92

iOS: How to troubleshoot Bluetooth connections

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS4562

 Cheers, Tom 😉

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