iPhone won't pair with a laptop over Bluetooth? Fix the pairing code
Modern iPhones do not ask you to type a PIN. They show a number to confirm on both devices, and pairing only works while the iPhone Bluetooth screen is open.
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If you are waiting for a PIN that never appears, that is normal. Modern iPhones do not ask you to type a PIN to pair with a laptop. They show a number, and you tap Pair on the iPhone and click Connect or Yes on the laptop. Old Bluetooth devices, such as some speakers and headsets, do ask for a code, and that is where 0000 or 1234 comes from. For a laptop, the problem is almost always how the pairing is started.
The fix
Pair an iPhone with a laptop
- 1
On the iPhone, open Settings › Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.
Keep this screen open. The iPhone is only visible to other devices while it is open.
- 2
On a Windows laptop, open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Add device › Bluetooth.
On a Mac, open System Settings › Bluetooth.
- 3
Choose your iPhone in the list on the laptop.
- 4
Check that the number is the same on both screens, then confirm.
Tap Pair on the iPhone and Connect or Yes on the laptop.
Pairing code not showing or the iPhone is not listed
- 1
Keep the iPhone Bluetooth screen open and wake the laptop.
If the iPhone locks or you leave the Bluetooth screen, it stops being visible.
- 2
Turn Bluetooth off and on on both devices.
- 3
Forget the device on both sides.
On the iPhone, tap the info icon next to the laptop and choose Forget This Device. On the laptop, remove the iPhone from the Bluetooth list, then try pairing again.
- 4
Restart the iPhone and the laptop.
- 5
Move them close together, and turn off other nearby Bluetooth devices that might distract the connection.
It paired, but keeps disconnecting
- Update iOS in Settings › General › Software Update, and update Windows or macOS and the laptop's Bluetooth driver.
- Keep the iPhone and the laptop close together, and away from other busy wireless devices.
- Pairing with many devices at once can confuse the laptop. Remove old devices you no longer use.
What Bluetooth can and cannot do with a laptop
Many people pair an iPhone with a laptop to send files, and that is where it fails. An iPhone does not send files to a Windows PC over Bluetooth. Use a USB cable, iCloud Photos or the Photos app; our guide to moving photos from iPhone to Windows shows how. On a Mac, AirDrop is the way. Bluetooth does work for sharing your internet through Personal Hotspot, and for audio.
Still not pairing?
If your iPhone cannot pair with any Bluetooth device, see an iPhone whose Bluetooth is not working. If only the laptop fails, test with another Bluetooth device. A laptop with a damaged Bluetooth adapter needs a repair or a small USB Bluetooth adapter.
Pair an iPhone with a Windows laptop
On Windows 11, open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Add device › Bluetooth. On the iPhone, open Settings › Bluetooth and stay on that screen, because the iPhone is only visible to other devices while it is open. When your iPhone appears in the Windows list, select it, then confirm that the code shown on both screens matches and tap Pair on the iPhone. On Windows 10 the same option is in Settings › Devices › Bluetooth & other devices.
Pair an iPhone with a Mac
Macs and iPhones usually connect without Bluetooth pairing, using the same Apple Account for features such as AirDrop, Handoff and the Personal Hotspot. If you do want a manual pairing, open System Settings › Bluetooth on the Mac, keep Settings › Bluetooth open on the iPhone and choose the iPhone in the Mac list. Turn Bluetooth off and on on both devices if it does not appear.
Windows Phone Link for iPhone
Windows 11 can show iPhone calls, messages and notifications in the Phone Link app. It needs the iPhone paired over Bluetooth, and on the iPhone you must allow it to show notifications and share contacts in the Bluetooth settings for that device. Features are more limited than on Android, and some, like sending files or making calls, depend on your iOS and Windows versions. If it does not connect, forget the pairing on both sides and start again.
Fix the laptop side
If the iPhone is fine, the laptop may be the cause. In Windows, turn on Bluetooth in Quick Settings, run the Bluetooth troubleshooter under Settings › System › Troubleshoot, update the Bluetooth driver from Device Manager or the laptop maker's site, and remove any old entry for your iPhone before pairing again. Turn Airplane mode on and off. On a Mac, restart and check that Bluetooth is on. If you still cannot pair, try another device such as headphones to see if the laptop's Bluetooth works at all.
If you only want to move files
Many people try Bluetooth pairing because they want photos on a laptop. Bluetooth is slow and limited for that. A cable is faster and works on any laptop. On Windows, use the Photos app or File Explorer with the iPhone connected, and on a Mac use Image Capture or Photos. Our guide to transferring photos from iPhone to a Windows PC shows the steps, and AirDrop is the quickest way between an iPhone and a Mac.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bluetooth PIN to pair an iPhone with a laptop?
There is usually none to type. Your iPhone and the laptop show a number, and you confirm it matches on both. If a device asks for a code, try the one in its manual.
Why is my iPhone not showing up on my laptop?
An iPhone is discoverable only while Settings › Bluetooth is open on screen. Keep that screen open and add the iPhone from the laptop.
Can I send files from iPhone to a laptop over Bluetooth?
Not to a Windows PC. iPhone does not send files over Bluetooth to PCs. Use USB, iCloud Photos or the Photos app instead. On a Mac, use AirDrop.
Can I use my iPhone as a hotspot over Bluetooth?
Yes. After pairing, you can connect the laptop to Personal Hotspot over Bluetooth, though Wi-Fi or USB is usually faster.
What to try next
People also ask
Why does my phone connect to the car but play no sound?
The car may be on another audio source, or media audio is turned off for that connection. Pick Bluetooth as the source on the car screen and check the device’s settings on your phone.
Read the full guide: Bluetooth won’t connect to carWhy does my iPhone keep asking to trust this computer?
Apple says the alert returns every time if you chose Don't Trust, and it can appear on every connection if automatic backups are on. It also returns after you reset Location & Privacy.
Read the full guide: iPhone keeps asking to trust this computerDo I have to unpair my Apple Watch before I get a new iPhone?
Not if you set up the new iPhone from a backup and the watch prompt appears. If the Apple Watch app shows Start Pairing, the watch is still tied to the old phone, so unpair it first.
Read the full guide: Pair Apple Watch to new iPhoneDoes iCloud Backup include my photos?
Not if iCloud Photos is turned on, because your photos are already stored in iCloud. If iCloud Photos is off, your photos are included in the backup.
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