Why is my iPhone's Bluetooth auto-connecting to unknown devices?

Question

Level 1

5 points

Why is my iPhone's Bluetooth auto-connecting to unknown devices?

While my bluetooth is on and connected to my airpods it seems to connect to other phones as well. This morning it was connected to a ”Google Pixel 8 Pro” which is not a phone i own nor know anyone who does. This evening it was connected to two devices called only ”iPhone”. Furthermore there is no info button next to the BT-device, which it is for my connected airpods. Anyone with any idea what this is?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 13, iOS 18

Posted on Mar 24, 2025 11:56 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Kurtosis12

Level 9

76,270 points

Mar 24, 2025 2:06 PM in response to Flexert18

You are not actually connected to those devices. Connecting to other devices requires interaction on both devices to pair them. The other device would need to be in pairing mode and you would have to connect to that device. Some Bluetooth devices need to to enter a code on your phone to connect to them.

It is just showing devices close to you with Bluetooth turned on.

The fact that it shows no information next to those devices pretty much proves this.

Reply

Answer 2

BigEd682

Level 1

14 points

Mar 25, 2025 12:19 PM in response to Flexert18

My iPhone 15proMax has a device connected through Bluetooth. However the "i" does not appear next to it and I cannot click on "forget this device". I have no idea what this Bluetooth device is either.

Reply

Answer 3

Flexert18 Author

Level 1

5 points

Mar 25, 2025 12:33 PM in response to BigEd682

Well, that device name is even more strange. What’s extra strange in my case is that it is connected to one extra device in bluetooth settings (two in total). But in the control center it says it is connected to three devices. Cannot see which the third is. Must be some sort of bug where it’s supposed to display nearby devices that you can connect to?

Attaching images of my issue

Reply

Answer 4

tonyddxb

Level 1

12 points

Apr 11, 2025 12:36 AM in response to Flexert18

I’m getting the exact same issue when I’m driving. In traffic, my iPhone constantly disconnects from my vehicle as it’s busy trying to connect to random devices and even though it’s been stated by others that they haven’t actually connected it does disrupt my connection which in itself is annoying and indicates something is going on.

The random devices don’t have the “i” icon as others have mentioned. No idea why this happens or how to stop it. The below highlighted devices are not mine and I’ve never connected to them.

Reply