Connect an iPad to Bluetooth Accessories

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Learn to pair headphones, keyboards, and more to your iPad

Written by Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: January 28, 2026 Fact Checked

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Pairing a Device

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Troubleshooting

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

If you’re trying to connect your iPad to a Bluetooth accessory, such as earbuds, earphones, a speaker, or a keyboard, the process is pretty easy. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of pairing your iPad with any Bluetooth device. We’ll also offer troubleshooting tips for common connection issues.

Quick Steps: Connect to Bluetooth on iPad

Open the Settings app on your iPad.
Tap Bluetooth in the left-hand menu.
Make sure the switch next to Bluetooth is toggled on.
Bring your Bluetooth accessory close to your iPad and turn it on.
Put your Bluetooth accessory in pairing mode.
Tap the name of the accessory in your iPad’s Bluetooth menu.
Enter a PIN or passcode if prompted.

Section 1 of 2:

Pairing a Device

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Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a grey box with gears on it.
You'll find it near the top of the "Settings" column, which is on the left side of the screen. Doing so opens the Bluetooth page in the main section of the screen.

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Tap the grey "Bluetooth" switch
. You'll find it to the right of the "Bluetooth" heading; this switch will turn green
, signifying that Bluetooth is now enabled.
- If the switch is already green, Bluetooth is enabled on your iPad.
4
Turn on your Bluetooth accessory. Make sure the Bluetooth item is turned on, plugged in (if necessary) or fully charged, and within a few feet of your iPad.
- While the maximum range for an iPad to connect to a Bluetooth item is around 30 feet (9 m), stay as close to the item as possible the first time you connect.^{[1]
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Press the Bluetooth item's "Pairing" button. This might be a power button or a button with the Bluetooth logo on it, though some Bluetooth items are automatically placed in pairing mode upon turning them on.
- For many Bluetooth items, you will need to press and hold the Power or Connect button until the light on the accessory flashes a certain number of times.
- The iPad can only connect to things like headsets/headphones (iPad 2 and later), speakers, keyboards, and remotes. It cannot connect directly to other iOS items (e.g., other iPads or iPhones) or Androids via Bluetooth.
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Wait for the Bluetooth item's name to appear. Your Bluetooth item's name, model number, or some similar designation will appear below the "Bluetooth" slider on your iPad. If you’ve never connected to this item before, you’ll see it under the Other Devices header. If you have connected to it before, you’ll see it under My Devices. It may take several seconds to appear.
- If you don't see the name appear within a minute or so, disable and re-enable your iPad's Bluetooth. Double-check that the Bluetooth accessory is turned on and in pairing mode.
- In many cases, the Bluetooth item's name is a combination of the manufacturer's name and the item's model number.
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Select your Bluetooth item's name. Once you see the Bluetooth item's name appear on your iPad's Bluetooth screen, tap the name to begin connecting to it.
- You may be prompted to input a PIN or password before the pairing process can complete. You can usually find this information in the Bluetooth item's instruction manual.
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Wait for the pairing process to complete. Once the pairing is successful, you'll see "Connected ⓘ" to the right of the Bluetooth item's name.
- If you can't get your Bluetooth item to connect to your iPad, try troubleshooting the connection.
- To disconnect a Bluetooth accessory, tap ⓘ next to its name and select Disconnect.
- To completely unpair (“forget”) the accessory, tap ⓘ and select Forget This Device.
- You can quickly disconnect from all Bluetooth devices by toggling off Bluetooth in Settings. Alternatively, open the Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it off.

Section 2 of 2:

Troubleshooting

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1
Understand your iPad's limitations. While you can connect to things like speakers, car stereos, headphones, instruments, keyboards, and printers, you will not be able to connect to a Windows or Android platform without software specifically designed to bridge the gap.
- You can technically transfer things like photos and contacts back and forth between an iPad and an iPhone or a Mac, but doing so requires using AirDrop.
- You can stream or screen mirror from your iPad to an AirPlay enabled device using Apple’s proprietary AirPlay technology, which uses a combination of WiFi and Bluetooth. However, iPads are not set up to be AirPlay receivers.
- In general, the best (and most reliable) use of an iPad's Bluetooth is to play audio over speakers or through headphones, or to connect to a hardware item such as a keyboard or an instrument.
Most Bluetooth items should have some form of documentation. If you're running into pairing issues with an item that should work on your iPad, read the item's "Bluetooth" (or similar) section in the manual to see if you're missing a step.
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Ensure that you are within range. While your Bluetooth accessory may have different specifications, your iPad's Bluetooth has an effective range of about 30 feet (9 m). If your Bluetooth item is more than 30 feet from your iPad, it may not be able to connect.
- An easy solution to this problem is to hold your iPad within a few feet from the Bluetooth item when connecting the two for the first time.
- If you can establish a line of sight from the Bluetooth item to your iPad, you may have an easier time connecting. Make sure there aren’t other solid objects in between the iPad and the accessory.
  - Other electronic devices in the area can interfere with the Bluetooth signal, too. Make sure you aren’t too close to other active Bluetooth devices, your router or modem, or even a running microwave oven.
If your accessory is already connected to something else–like a computer or phone–it won’t pair with your iPad. If you discover that the Bluetooth item is paired with another device, disconnect it and try again.
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Connect your iPad to its charger while pairing. If your iPad's charge is below 20 percent, it may automatically place itself in Low Power Mode. While Low Power Mode doesn't deactivate Bluetooth, it may impact your ability to connect to a Bluetooth item; leaving your iPad on the charger while connecting for the first time can solve this problem.
- This goes for the Bluetooth item as well. For example, if you're using a wireless Bluetooth speaker, make sure the speaker is plugged in during the pairing process.
- If you're using a wireless Bluetooth item and the item loses too much charge, it may automatically disconnect from your iPad.
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Restart your iPad. iPads and iPhones need to be restarted every once in a while, so try this if you haven't restarted your iPad recently.
- If your iPad has a Home button, press and hold the Power button. If it doesn’t have a Home button, press and hold the Power button and one of the Volume buttons at the same time.
- Slide the slide to power off switch right.
- Wait for one minute.
- Press the Power button again.
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Re-pair the item. Open the Bluetooth menu on your iPad, tap the Bluetooth item that isn't connecting, and tap Forget this Device. Tap the item's name again to begin re-connecting to it.
- You will need to enter the PIN again if required.
- This is useful for situations in which your iPad connects to the item but won't use it (e.g., your iPad shows that it is connected to a Bluetooth speaker, but audio still plays on the iPad).
Update your iPad's software. Sometimes updating your system software will fix issues with Bluetooth items. Try updating to the latest version available.^{[2]
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Community Q&A

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Question

We have 2 speakers, but they don't work at the same time. Why?

Community Answer

You can generally only make one Bluetooth connection at a time. So, your iPad can only connect to one speaker at a time.

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Can I choose my own music on my iPad through the Bluetooth for speakers?

Community Answer

Usually, you will use your iPad as means to select the song (not the speaker). Songs will be played from your iPad if the speaker is connected to your iPad.

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My iPad isn't pairing to my bluetooth headphones and I tried all these steps. What do I do?

Community Answer

Try restarting your iPad one or two times. If that doesn't work, try another set of headphones.

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Tips

If your iPad is significantly newer than the Bluetooth item (or vice versa), the connection may not work.

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You can connect to multiple Bluetooth items at once, though attempting to connect to two of the same type of item (e.g., two different speakers or a speaker and a headphone set) will not work.

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Warnings

Connecting to an unknown Bluetooth item can be dangerous and may allow others to access information stored on your iPad. Always check that you are connecting to the correct item via Bluetooth before pairing your iPad with it.

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