davef47
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Iphone 4 cannot discover bluetooth devices

Have just upgraded IPhone 4 (13.5 GB) to IOS 7.1.2 and it is now unable to detect other Bluetooth devices, including other Apple devices. Prior to the upgrade I had one device paired.  How can I get this functionality back?

iPhone 4, iOS 7.1.2

Posted on Apr 27, 2015 8:00 AM

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davef47

Q: Iphone 4 cannot discover bluetooth devices

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  • by pedro d,

    pedro d pedro d Apr 30, 2015 7:08 AM in response to davef47
    Community Specialists
    Apr 30, 2015 7:08 AM in response to davef47

    Hello there, davef47.

     

    When you are having issues with Bluetooth devices not being recognized on your iOS device, the following Knowledge Base article offers up some in-depth and thorough steps for troubleshooting:

     

    iOS: Troubleshooting Bluetooth connections - Apple Support

     

    Follow these steps first:

    1. Check that you are in range of the Bluetooth accessory with which you are trying to pair your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Most Bluetooth accessories have a range of approximately 30 feet.
    2. On your iOS device, tap Settings > Bluetooth and find your device in the list. If your device says Not Connected, tap the name of your accessory to attempt to connect it.
    3. Tap Settings > Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth off and then on again.
    4. Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory is turned on and fully charged or connected to power.
    5. Make sure that your Bluetooth accessory is in pairing mode.1
    6. Restart your iOS device.
    7. Tap Settings > Bluetooth and locate the Bluetooth accessory you are currently connected to or attempting to connect to. Then tap   and "Forget this Device". Try to pair your Bluetooth accessory again.
      • You may need to enter your Bluetooth accessory PIN again if your accessory requires one. Some common PINs are 0000, 1111, and 1234.
    8. Restart your Bluetooth accessory by turning it off and then on again1.
    9. Update your device to the latest version of software. See how to update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
    10. If your Bluetooth accessory has upgradable firmware, check to see that you have the latest version1, 2.

     

    Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.

     

    Cheers,

    Pedro.

  • by davef47,

    davef47 davef47 Apr 30, 2015 7:38 AM in response to pedro d
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 7:38 AM in response to pedro d

    Have only just updated to 7.1.2 and it is the latest version.

    I have been all through the knowledge base that I can find and none deals with being unable find any devices all and I am trying to connect to an Apple device, so it is not a question of trying to pair to a device - it just doesn't find any.

    I have tried all the suggestions, like Resetting Network settings. re-booting the phone, turning the phone on and off - including the other Iphones I am trying to find - distance is not an obstacle, they are next to one another. The phone simply will not detect even though before I upgraded the software it did!

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 30, 2015 7:49 AM in response to davef47
    Level 9 (79,677 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 30, 2015 7:49 AM in response to davef47

    davef47 wrote:

    and I am trying to connect to an Apple device, so it is not a question of trying to pair to a device - it just doesn't find any.

     

    What kind of Apple device specifically are you trying to pair with?

  • by davef47,

    davef47 davef47 Apr 30, 2015 8:04 AM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 8:04 AM in response to Chris CA

    Either an IPhone 6 Plus or an IPhone 3.

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 30, 2015 10:14 AM in response to davef47
    Level 9 (79,677 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 30, 2015 10:14 AM in response to davef47

    iPhones do not pair with iPhones via Bluetooth.

  • by davef47,

    davef47 davef47 Apr 30, 2015 10:17 AM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 10:17 AM in response to Chris CA

    It did before I upgraded to 7.1.2.!!  I could also pair with a Nexus - now I cannot 'discover' any Bluetooth device.

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 30, 2015 11:33 AM in response to davef47
    Level 9 (79,677 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 30, 2015 11:33 AM in response to davef47

    davef47 wrote:

     

    It did before I upgraded to 7.1.2.!!

    Not really.

    It has not been possible.

    I could also pair with a Nexus - now I cannot 'discover' any Bluetooth device.

    Turn Bluetooth off then back of.

  • by davef47,

    davef47 davef47 Apr 30, 2015 11:44 AM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 11:44 AM in response to Chris CA

    I have tried all the suggestions - the first was turning Bluetooth off and on. At this moment in time all I want the thing to do is to discover a Bluetooth device - any device will do.

  • by davef47,

    davef47 davef47 Apr 30, 2015 11:52 AM in response to davef47
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 11:52 AM in response to davef47

    ...and just to repeat I have tried:

     

    1. Turning Bluetooth on and off

    2. The iphone and other device on and off both before and after turning Bluetooth on and off

    3. Reset Network settings

    4. Reset all settings

    5 Re-booting the iphone

    6. Checking that I have the latest software

    7 That the device I want to pair is still seen by my old iphone 3

     

    I seem to be left with the option of going back to restore to factory settings.

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 30, 2015 12:14 PM in response to davef47
    Level 9 (79,677 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 30, 2015 12:14 PM in response to davef47

    Settings > General > Reset - Reset network settings.

     

    As noted, you cannot pair iPhones.

  • by davef47,

    davef47 davef47 Apr 30, 2015 12:30 PM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 12:30 PM in response to Chris CA

    Chris CA.  Before I upgraded to 7.1.2 (it IOS 5.1) the phone showed my Nexus as a paired device although at the time I was still using my Iphone 3 which happily paired with the Nexus. I am now coming to the conclusion that the phone cannot discover Bluetooth Devices but then why is there a Bluetooth function on the phone! My main interest is using it for hands free in my car but if it can't discover Bluetooth devices I will not be able to do that and will probably junk the phone.

  • by Chris CA,

    Chris CA Chris CA Apr 30, 2015 1:27 PM in response to davef47
    Level 9 (79,677 points)
    iTunes
    Apr 30, 2015 1:27 PM in response to davef47

    You could pair your iPhone with your Nexus but you cannot pair an iPhone with an iPhone.

    My main interest is using it for hands free in my car but if it can't discover Bluetooth devices I will not be able to do that and will probably junk the phone.

    It should work but if it is broken it will not.

    It's not like Apple removed the functionality.

    Take it into an Apple store to get checked out.

  • by davef47,

    davef47 davef47 Apr 30, 2015 1:36 PM in response to Chris CA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 1:36 PM in response to Chris CA

    Yes, that is my last resort, but not near an Apple store and if it's faulty it's too old to be worth doing anything with. Junk option looks best. Thanks for your thoughts.