How to Pair a Bluetooth Headset to an iPhone

Make phone calls and listen to music without dealing with wires

Man driving car holding a cup of coffee talking on a Bluetooth headset

Jacobs Stock Photography Ltd / Getty Images 

by Liane Cassavoy
A technology writer who has been reviewing and writing articles about smartphones since 1999.
Updated July 22, 2019

Using a Bluetooth headset can be a liberating experience. Instead of holding your phone, you pop a headset into your ear. It keeps your hands free, which is not just convenient — it's also a much safer way to use your phone while driving.

These instructions apply to devices running iOS 7 or later.

How to Pair a Bluetooth Headset to an iPhone

Before you begin, make sure that both your smartphone and your Bluetooth headset have plenty of battery left.

  1. On your iPhone, open Settings, and then tap Bluetooth and turn the switch on the next screen to on/green.

    Turning on Bluetooth in the Settings on an iPhone

  2. Alternatively, you can turn on Bluetooth using the Control Center. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, and then tap the Bluetooth icon. The button will turn blue when the feature is active.

    Turning on Bluetooth in the Control Center on an iPhone

  3. Many headsets go into pairing mode automatically the first time you turn them on. Consult the owner's manual to see how to put the accessory in pairing mode.

  4. Once the headset is in pairing mode, your iPhone should "discover" it. On the Bluetooth settings screen, you'll see the name of the headset appear under the list of devices.

    On this screen, My Devices is a list of things you've connected to in the past. Other Devices includes ones that are in range but you haven't used before.

    Tap the name of the headset, and the iPhone will connect to it.

    Some headsets may ask you to enter a PIN to verify paring. The headset manufacturer should supply the number you need.

    The Bluetooth settings screen on an iPhone

  5. Now you can begin using the headset.

Make Calls Using Your Bluetooth Headset

To make a call using your Bluetooth headset, dial the number as you normally would. If you're using a headset that accepts voice commands, you may be able to dial by voice.

Once you've entered the number to call, your iPhone will present you with a list of options. You can choose to use your Bluetooth headset, your iPhone, or the iPhone's speakerphone to make the call.

Tap the Bluetooth headset icon, and the call will go there. Now you should be connected.

You can end the call by using the button on your headset, or by tapping the End Call button on the iPhone's screen.

Accept Calls Using Your Bluetooth Headset

When a call comes into your iPhone, you can answer it directly from your Bluetooth headset by pressing the appropriate button.

Most Bluetooth headsets have a primary button for this purpose. If you're not sure which of the headset's buttons you should press, consult the product manual.

You can end the call by using the button on your headset, or by tapping the End Call button on the iPhone's screen.