The Basic Steps to Pair Your Phone
Connecting your phone to your car's Bluetooth system takes about five minutes and only needs to happen once. After that first pairing, your phone and car will recognize each other automatically when you get in the vehicle. The process is the same whether you have an iPhone, Android phone, or most other smartphones.
Start by turning on your car's Bluetooth system. This is usually done through a button on the dashboard, a menu on the infotainment screen, or sometimes both. Check your car's manual if you cannot find it — the location varies widely by make and model. Your car's Bluetooth system should enter "pairing mode," which means it is ready to connect to a new device. You will usually see a light blink or hear a tone when this happens.
Next, open your phone's Bluetooth settings. On an iPhone, go to Settings, then Bluetooth, and turn it on. On Android, go to Settings, then Bluetooth (or Connected Devices), and turn it on. Your phone will then search for nearby Bluetooth devices. Within a few seconds, your car should appear in the list — it will show the car's make and model or a name you set up previously.
Tap your car's name in the list. Your phone may ask you to confirm a pairing code, or the car may display a code on its screen that you need to confirm on your phone. Once confirmed, the two devices are paired. You should see a message saying the connection is complete, and your phone's Bluetooth settings should show your car as "Connected."
Key Takeaways
- Turn on your car's Bluetooth system first, usually through a dashboard button or infotainment screen menu, and put it in pairing mode.
- Open your phone's Bluetooth settings, turn Bluetooth on, and select your car from the list of available devices.
- Confirm any pairing codes if your car or phone asks for them, and wait for the connection to complete.
- After the first pairing, your phone will connect automatically each time you get in the car and turn on the Bluetooth system.
- If pairing fails, restart both your phone and your car's Bluetooth system, then try again.
What to Do If Your Car Does Not Appear in the List
If your car's Bluetooth system does not show up when you search for devices, the most common reason is that it is not in pairing mode. Go back to your car's Bluetooth menu and look for an option that says "Pairing Mode," "Add Device," "Discoverable," or "Visible." Some cars require you to hold down a button for several seconds to enter this mode. Check your car's manual for the exact steps.
Another reason your car might not appear is that it is already paired to another phone. Most car Bluetooth systems can store multiple phones but can only connect to one at a time. If someone else's phone is currently connected, disconnect it first. You can usually do this through your car's Bluetooth menu by selecting the connected phone and choosing "Forget" or "Remove."
If your car's Bluetooth system is very old, it may not support newer phones. Bluetooth technology has improved over the years, and some systems from the early 2010s or earlier may have trouble pairing with current smartphones. If this is the case, you may need to use an older phone, a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your car's aux jack, or a different connection method like a USB cable.
Using Bluetooth for Calls and Music
Once your phone is connected, you can use Bluetooth for two main things: phone calls and music. When you receive a call, your car's speakers will ring and show the caller's name on the infotainment screen. You can answer by pressing a button on your steering wheel, tapping the screen, or using a voice command like "Hey Siri" or "OK Google," depending on your phone and car.
For music, open your music app on your phone — whether that is Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or another service — and press play. The audio will come through your car's speakers instead of your phone's speaker. You can usually control the music using your car's steering wheel buttons or infotainment screen, though some cars only let you pause and play, not skip forward or backward.
Some cars also support voice commands through Bluetooth. This means you can say things like "Call Mom" or "Play rock music" without touching your phone or the car's screen. The exact commands available depend on your phone and car, so check your car's manual to see what is supported.
Reconnecting After You Disconnect
Once you have paired your phone to your car, you do not need to pair it again. The next time you get in the car and turn on the Bluetooth system, your phone should connect automatically within a few seconds. You will usually see a notification on your phone or hear a tone from the car when the connection is established.
If your phone does not reconnect automatically, make sure Bluetooth is turned on on your phone and that your car's Bluetooth system is on. If it still does not connect, try turning off Bluetooth on your phone, waiting five seconds, and turning it back on. If that does not work, restart your car's Bluetooth system by turning it off and back on.
If your phone keeps disconnecting and reconnecting, or if it connects but then drops the call or music, the problem is usually interference from other devices or a weak Bluetooth signal. Move your phone closer to the car's Bluetooth receiver, which is often near the infotainment screen. If you have other Bluetooth devices in the car, like a smartwatch or wireless headphones, turn them off temporarily to see if that fixes the problem.
Switching Between Multiple Phones
Most car Bluetooth systems can remember several phones. If you want to connect a different phone, put your car's Bluetooth system in pairing mode again and follow the same steps as before. Your car will add the new phone to its memory without forgetting the old one.
When you get in the car with a different phone, your car may automatically connect to whichever phone it was last paired with, or it may ask you to choose which phone to connect to. If it connects to the wrong phone, you can usually disconnect it through your car's Bluetooth menu and then manually select the phone you want to use.
If you want to remove a phone from your car's memory entirely — for example, if you sold the car or gave away the phone — go to your car's Bluetooth settings, find the phone's name in the list of paired devices, and select "Forget," "Remove," or "Delete." The phone will no longer connect automatically, and you will need to pair it again if you want to use it with that car in the future.
Troubleshooting Connection Problems
If your Bluetooth connection is choppy, cuts out during calls, or keeps dropping, the first step is to make sure your phone's software is up to date. Go to your phone's settings and check for updates. Outdated software can sometimes cause Bluetooth problems that are fixed in newer versions.
Next, check your car's infotainment system for updates. Many newer cars can update their software through a USB drive or over the internet. Check your car's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if an update is available. Updating your car's Bluetooth system can fix compatibility issues with newer phones.
If updating does not help, try "forgetting" your phone from your car's Bluetooth system and pairing it again from scratch. This clears out any corrupted pairing information and often solves connection problems. Go to your car's Bluetooth menu, select your phone, and choose "Forget." Then follow the pairing steps again as if it were the first time.
If you are still having problems after trying these steps, the issue may be with your phone's Bluetooth hardware or your car's Bluetooth receiver. In this case, you may need to contact your car's manufacturer or have a technician look at the system.
Alternative Connection Methods
If your car does not have Bluetooth or if Bluetooth is not working, you have other options. The most common is a USB cable, which you can plug into your phone and your car's USB port. This works with most phones and allows you to play music and make calls through your car's speakers, though it does not work wirelessly.
Another option is an auxiliary cable (aux cable), which plugs into your phone's headphone jack or lightning port and into your car's aux input. This only works for music, not for calls, and you will need to answer calls on your phone's speaker or with headphones. Aux cables are inexpensive and work with almost any car, but they are less convenient than Bluetooth.
If your car has an older Bluetooth system that does not work well with your phone, you can buy a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your car's aux jack or cigarette lighter. These adapters act as a bridge between your phone and your car's speakers. They are relatively inexpensive and can be a good solution if upgrading your car's system is not an option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pair my phone every time I get in the car?
No. After you pair your phone to your car's Bluetooth system the first time, it will connect automatically every time you turn on the car's Bluetooth. You only need to pair once, unless you forget the device or get a new phone.
Can I connect two phones to my car at the same time?
Most car Bluetooth systems can remember multiple phones but can only connect to one at a time. If two phones are in the car, your car will usually connect to the one it was last paired with, or it may ask you to choose which one to use.
Why does my phone keep disconnecting from my car?
This is usually caused by interference from other Bluetooth devices, a weak signal, or outdated software on your phone or car. Try turning off other Bluetooth devices, moving your phone closer to the car's receiver, or updating your phone's software. If the problem continues, try forgetting the device and pairing again.
Can I use Bluetooth if my car does not have an infotainment screen?
Yes. Older cars without screens can still have Bluetooth systems. Look for a Bluetooth button on your dashboard or steering wheel, or check your car's manual. You may not see caller names or song titles on a screen, but you can still make calls and play music through your car's speakers.
What if my car's Bluetooth system is broken?
If your car's Bluetooth will not turn on or will not pair with any phone, you can use a USB cable or aux cable to connect your phone instead. You can also buy an aftermarket Bluetooth adapter that plugs into your car's aux jack. If you want to repair the original system, contact your car's manufacturer or a car audio specialist.