My new iPhone 16 connects to my Apple watch 9 automatically. However it doesn’t find any other Bluetooth device that I try to pair with it, like Soundcore earbuds or Lenovo ThinkPlus earbuds. The little asterisk next to OTHER DEVICES on the Settings > Bluetooth screen just spins indefinitely. I’ve tried every suggestion I’ve found via Google, such as reboots. Anybody have a fix? Thanks for advice/fixes..
iPhone 12 mini
Make sure you are following the instructions here for pairing devices to your iPhone. Pair a third-party Bluetooth accessory with your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Most important is that Bluetooth is turned on for the iPhone, and then put the device you wish to pair into paring mode. You may need the instructions for the particular device on how to put it into pairing mode.
You're welcome.
Your iPhone can only find other devices IF they have been put in Pairing Mode, per the device manufacturers directions. Have you put them in Pairing Mode?
Glad you got it sorted out. Enjoy your iPhone.
So … I mistakenly thought that the Soundcore instructions for “first time pairing” meant the first time that you pair the earbuds with, say, a particular phone, so I followed those instructions. NOPE! They apparently mean the first time that you ever pair the earbuds with any device, ever. Geez. I then followed the instructions that are apparently for “every pairing after the very first one, ever,” and they connected. Thanks!
Yeah, I thought that I was following the Soundcore instructions, but apparently I misinterpreted them. <insert eyeroll here> When they said “first time pairing,” they really meant “first time pairing, ever, with any device.” If you’ve ever used your earbuds with another phone, don’t interpret “first time” to mean “first time with this new phone.”
iPhone 16 Bluetooth only finds Apple Watch 9
