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.
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash
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.
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.
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