How to Pair, Connect, or Forget a Bluetooth Device to the iPad

This article explains how to pair a Bluetooth device with an iPad and how to forget a paired device.

How to Pair a Bluetooth Device With an iPad

The process of pairing a Bluetooth device ensures the communication between the device and the iPad is encrypted and secure. Security is essential because phone headsets are a popular Bluetooth accessory and, you don't want someone being able to easily intercept the signal if you use them for a call.

Bluetooth also lets the iPad remember the devices you pair with it, so you don't need to repeat the setup each time you want to use the accessory again. It'll connect to the iPad as soon as you turn it on.

1. Open the iPad's settings by launching the Settings app.

2. Tap Bluetooth in the left-side menu.

3. If Bluetooth is turned off, tap the On/Off slider to turn it on/green.

4. Set your device to discoverable mode. Most Bluetooth devices have a button specifically for pairing the device. You may need to consult the manual of your device to find out where this is located.

5. The accessory will appear under the My Devices section when it is in discovery mode. It will show up with "Not Connected" next to the name. Tap the name of the device, and the iPad will attempt to pair with the accessory.

6. While many Bluetooth devices will automatically pair to the iPad, some accessories like a keyboard may require a passcode. This passcode is a series of numbers shown on your iPad's screen that you type using the keyboard.

How to Turn Bluetooth On/Off After the Device Is Paired

While it is a good idea to turn Bluetooth off when you are not using it in order to save battery life, there's no need to repeat these steps every single time you want to connect or disconnect the device. Once paired, most devices will automatically connect to the iPad when both the device and the iPad's Bluetooth setting are turned on.

Instead of going back into the iPad's settings, you can use the iPad's Control Center to flip the Bluetooth switch. Slide your finger down from the upper-right corner of the screen to open the Control Center. Tap the Bluetooth symbol to turn Bluetooth on or off.

How to Forget a Bluetooth Device on the iPad

You may want to forget a device, especially if you are trying to use it with another iPad or an iPhone. Forgetting a device unpairs it, which means the iPad will not automatically connect to the device when it detects it nearby. You will need to pair the device again to use it with the iPad after you've forgotten it. The process of forgetting a device is similar to pairing it.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad, and then tap Bluetooth.

2. Locate the accessory under "My Devices" and tap the "i" button with a circle around it.

3. Choose Forget This Device.

4. The device won't automatically connect to your iPad anymore, but you can re-pair it any time.