How to Pair a Bluetooth Headset to an iPhone

Make phone calls and listen to music without dealing with wires

By
Liane Cassavoy
Liane Cassavoy
Writer
  • Boston University's College of Communications
Liane Cassavoy is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire who has been reviewing and writing articles about smartphones since 1999.
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Updated on December 14, 2020
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

What to Know

  • Make sure Bluetooth is turned on: Go to Settings > Bluetooth or open Control Center and ensure the toggle is in the On position.
  • Put the headset into pairing mode, then choose it from the Available Devices list.
  • When you place a call, the iPhone presents you with a list of options. Choose Bluetooth to talk via the headset.

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 a convenient and safer way to use your phone while driving. Here's how to pair your Bluetooth headset to an iPhone with iOS 7 or later.

How to Pair a Bluetooth Headset to an iPhone

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

  1. On your iPhone, open Settings, then tap Bluetooth and turn on the Bluetooth toggle switch.

    Turning on Bluetooth in the Settings on an iPhone

  2. Alternatively, turn on Bluetooth using the Control Center. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, then tap the Bluetooth icon. The button turns 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. You'll see the name of the headset appear under the list of devices on the Bluetooth settings screen. Tap the name of the headset, and the iPhone connects to it.

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

    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 use a headset that accepts voice commands, you may be able to dial by voice.

After you enter the number to call, your iPhone presents 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 goes 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 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 what 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 icon on the iPhone's screen.

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