How to unignore a bluetooth device on iPhone?

Question

Level 1

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How to unignore a bluetooth device on iPhone?

I have previously accidentally ignored a bluetooth device, and now want to connect to it.

But for the life of me, my iPhone is unable to find that device. While the same device connects perfectly to other iPhones of my family members.

Things I have already tried

I have disconnected from other test / family member iPhone/s before attempting to connect to my phone.
Reset the bluetooth device.
Put them in bluetooth search / discover modes
Turn on/off bluetooth on iPhone
Turn on/off Airplane on iPhone
Reset network setting to default on my iPhone (interestingly it spite of this it remembers all my past bluetooth devices and even auto connected to my apple watch automatically).

What am I missing?

iPhone XS

Posted on Nov 18, 2022 7:54 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 18, 2022 8:03 AM in response to Tipsu

I'd suggest it's time to consult the manual for the BT device in question. I don't know how common it is but some devices have limits on how many things they can be connected to. Once you've reached that limit, there's some kind of reset procedure.

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Answer 2

Tipsu Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 18, 2022 8:08 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

Nope, thats no the case here. This is for sure an iPhone side issue, not a device side.

I failed to connect it with my iPhone. Then I used family member iPhone to test, if this was a iPhone issue or bluetooth device issue. Turns out, that I can connect to all iPhones, except mine.

Regardless, how to unignore a bluetooth device on iPhone?

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Answer 3

Nov 18, 2022 8:13 AM in response to Tipsu

I gave you the best advice I can based on decades of experience. You are, of course, free not to take it.

There is no way to "unignore" something. The only thing you can do is re-pair the device as if it were new.

Best of luck.

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Answer 4

Tipsu Author

Level 1

10 points

Nov 18, 2022 8:42 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

@IdrisSeabright, firs tof all thank you so much for jumping in and answering the first time and for this follow up. I took your advice, but unfortunately, that does not apply in my case, since I am able to connect the same device with more iPhones, but not with my iPhone.

Agree, "re-pair the device as if it were new" is usually the most straight forward option, but again, since I have previously asked my iPhone to "ignore" this device, re-pairing attempts fail, since this bluetooth device won't even show up under unconnected devices for me to pair with. On this iPhone it simply never shows up, neither as new, disconnected, or as forgotten or under any other category. But its shows up on other iPhones where I have connected, disconnected, forgotten and re-paired it multiple times and bluetooth between this device and other iPhones works flawlessly during my testing. So I am sort of stuck :(

But thanks anyway for trying to help me with a workaround.

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Answer 5

Nov 18, 2022 9:34 AM in response to Tipsu

Tipsu wrote:

Agree, "re-pair the device as if it were new" is usually the most straight forward option, but again, since I have previously asked my iPhone to "ignore" this device, re-pairing attempts fail, since this bluetooth device won't even show up under unconnected devices for me to pair with.

The point I didn't make well is that "ignoring" it changes nothing. Once you ignore it, the phone has no "memory" that it was ever connected to the device.

On this iPhone it simply never shows up, neither as new, disconnected, or as forgotten or under any other category. But its shows up on other iPhones where I have connected, disconnected, forgotten and re-paired it multiple times and bluetooth between this device and other iPhones works flawlessly during my testing. So I am sort of stuck :(

I still think there's something amiss with the BT device itself. If it were me, I would consult with the manufacturer. But, whatever you decide to do, I hope you get it working.

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