By pairing an iPhone with a Bluetooth device, users can make hands-free calls while driving or performing other tasks.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images
The Apple iPhone allows its users to connect the phone to a Bluetooth device to make hands-free calls, transfer files and enable communication between the devices. While there's no official list of Bluetooth devices compatible with the iPhone, some information is available that can help shed light on the iPhone's Bluetooth compatibility.
iPhone Bluetooth Technology
The iPhone contains the Bluetooth 2.1 + Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) wireless technology standard while, as of March 2011, the latest standard adopted by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group is Bluetooth v4.0. Fortunately, Bluetooth technology is backward compatible, meaning that a Bluetooth v4.0 device can function with a Bluetooth v2.1 device. This is good news for iPhone users because it means the phone's Bluetooth compatibility is not restricted by the newness of the standard used by the paired Bluetooth device.
Supported Profiles
The iPhone supports and is compatible with the following Bluetooth profiles: the Hands-Free Profile (HFP 1.5), the Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP), the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP, also known as the Stereo Bluetooth Profile), the Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), the Personal Area Network Profile (PAN) and the Human Interface Device Profile (HID). While the iPhone may not be compatible with all devices that use one of these profiles, if the device uses a Bluetooth profile other than the ones listed here, the iPhone will not be compatible with the device.
Compatible Headsets
Apple does not provide a complete list of Bluetooth devices that are compatible with the iPhone but the company does provide a selection of compatible devices in its online store. Compatible devices available from Apple include the Plantronics M100, Bose, Sound ID 510, Sennheiser HD EZX 60, Sound ID 400, Aliph Jawbone Icon, Motorola Endeavor HX1, Aliph Jawbone Prime, Plantronics Explorer 395 and The First One, as well as Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth headsets and The Talky One Bluetooth speaker.
Testing a Device's Compatibility
Test a Bluetooth device's compatibility by attempting to sync the device to the iPhone. Tap the "Settings" icon on the iPhone's home screen and then tap the "General" option. Tap "Bluetooth" and slide the Bluetooth setting to "ON" to make the iPhone discoverable. Make the Bluetooth device you wish to pair with the iPhone discoverable as well. This process can vary between devices but usually involves turning the device on and holding the power button or holding the pairing button. Once the iPhone locates the Bluetooth device, tap on the device and enter the default PIN code "0000" to begin the pairing process. If the device successfully pairs with the iPhone, the two are compatible.
References
Photo Credits
- Joe Raedle/Getty Images News/Getty Images
