pair ipad air ios 9.3.5 with iphone 5s ios 9.3.5

An iPhone will not pair via Bluetooth to a computer (Mac or Windows) or an iPad except for personal hotspot and then only if your cellular plan supports it. See the following for more information. https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7722

If you are attempting to use Handoff/Continuity or AirDrop, that does involve Bluetooth but the devices are NOT paired; Bluetooth just needs to be on and the devices in range of each other. The following may help with Handoff/Continuity issues: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204678

My iPhone 5 will not pair with iPad Air 2 or iPad Pro 9.7. All suggestions found on this forum have been tried. The iPhone and iPad Air 2 are at 9.3.5 ios level.

As explained by FoxFifth above: iPhones and iPads will not pair except for Personal Hotspot.

What exactly are you trying to accomplish by pairing them?

Most supported bluetooth options on iPhones and iPads do not require pairing.

Senior moment... read FoxFifth as a problem rather than an answer. Just wanted to use Airdrop to transfer a photo from one to the other. I assume sharing via email is the way. Don't care to use iCloud very much.

You can use Airdrop but you don't need to (and cannot) pair via Bluetooth; Bluetooth must be turned on but the devices aren't paired.

Thank you VERY much... Got it.