Now this is a serious problem for many Android users. And I’m pretty sure you’re facing this issue as well. The question ‘how to stop Bluetooth pairing requests’ might be haunting you of late, but I’ve got you covered with some quick workarounds to fix this issue once and for all.
Bluetooth technology uses radio waves to connect with Bluetooth-enabled devices. When a Bluetooth-powered device is turned on, it looks for the nearby Bluetooth devices and sends pairing requests, both to previously connected devices and occasionally, non-connected devices.
Whatever, Bluetooth pairing requests are annoying at any time, especially when the requests are from an unknown device or from a device you don’t want to connect your device to.
But why do you keep receiving Bluetooth pairing requests so often? Well, when a device with Bluetooth on is in close proximity and it detects your device, you receive those maddening request notifications.
Without further ado, let’s get started with the easy fixes for this issue for different case scenarios. Read on!
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For previously connected devices
Oftentimes, a Bluetooth pairing request is sent by a device previously connected. Following are a few easy fixes to stop Bluetooth pairing requests from connected devices.
Forget device
If you connect your Android phone to a Bluetooth device, it will retain the connected device’s name and the Bluetooth device will send you a pairing request once it is turned on. Forgetting the device will do the trick for you. To forget the connected device, follow the below steps.
Step 1:
On your Android device, open the Settings app
Step 2:
Locate Bluetooth and tap it
Step 3:
Turn on the Bluetooth if it is off
Step 4:
From the list of available devices, locate the one you are getting the pairing request from and tap the ℹor > icon next to the device name. If not available, long tap the device name until the next window opens up.
Step 5:
Finally, select the Forget device or Block option
This will remove the device from the paired devices list and you will likely no longer receive the pairing request. If the issue persists, try the following solutions:
Reset Bluetooth settings
Resetting Bluetooth settings will erase the Bluetooth data of the connected devices, including those you don’t want to pair with. Here’s how to reset Bluetooth settings on Android.
Step 1:
On your Android phone, go to the Settings app
Step 2:
Select Connection & sharing
Step 3:
Locate Reset WiFi, Mobile Networks, and Bluetooth option and tap it
Step 4:
At the bottom of the screen, locate and tap Reset settings
Note: This option will reset all your network settings including WiFi, mobile data, and Bluetooth. Select it only if you are sure of restoring your other settings.
Once you click Reset settings, you’ll be prompted to enter your device password. In a matter of a few seconds, your network settings will reset and you’ll have to manually pair the devices you ever paired in the past.
Rename Bluetooth on your device
This is basically tricking the requesting device. Renaming Bluetooth on your Android device may stop this problem as the Bluetooth device will fail to detect your device and thus will stop sending pairing requests. Here’s how to change your Bluetooth name.
Step 1:
On your Android device, open the Settings app
Step 2:
Locate Bluetooth
Step 3:
Tap Device name
Step 4:
Rename the device name to your liking and hit the check mark on top right
Once you change your device name, your Bluetooth name would change and the requesting device would likely fail to recognize it. If luck isn’t in your favor yet, try the below solutions.
Connect the requesting device to another device
This is one of the most effective solutions to stop Bluetooth pairing requests from already-connected devices. Note that this solution might not work for all Android phones.
All you need to do is to connect the Bluetooth device to another device that isn’t in close proximity to it. You can pair the Bluetooth device with your friend’s device or any unused device.
Then, pair the devices and the next time the requesting device turns on the Bluetooth, the pairing request will be sent to the friend’s or the unused device, and not yours. Once the device is out of the coverage range of the requesting device, even that device would not receive the pairing request anymore. So win-win!
For devices you have access to
If you have complete access to the requesting device, there are quite a few ways to stop Bluetooth pairing requests from such devices. Try the below methods.
- Turn off the requesting device if not in use
- Reset the requesting device to forget yours
- Reset the speakers, headphones, and earbuds as per the user manual to forget your device (press the pairing button on Bluetooth speakers and headphones for a few seconds to reset)
- Forget or remove your device from the requesting device Bluetooth settings
For devices you have no access to
If the above methods didn’t work for you, you need to take tough steps to stop the annoying Bluetooth pairing requests. It is likely that you have no access to the requesting device and all you can do is to somehow forget or remove your device from the requesting device.
Try these solutions to stop the requests from a device you don’t have access to.
- If you’re getting requests from a device in your neighbourhood, you could ask them to forget or remove your device from theirs.
- If the request is from a device at your workplace, forget or remove your device from the requesting device. If possible, switch off the requesting device to stop getting pairing requests.
- Make your device undiscoverable after you pair with the devices you want to pair with.
- Turn off your Bluetooth when not in use
Suggested reads:
- 9 Best Neckband Bluetooth Headphones To Buy
- How to Make Android Auto’s Bluetooth Work
- 7 Best Bluetooth Enabled Blood Pressure Monitor for Android
FAQs
How do I stop Bluetooth pairing requests?
The easiest way to stop Bluetooth pairing requests is to turn off Bluetooth on the requesting device. Another easy solution is to forget or remove your device from the requesting device’s Bluetooth settings.
How do I manually connect to Bluetooth?
To manually connect to Bluetooth, slide down the notification tray and tap the Bluetooth icon. Then touch and hold the Bluetooth icon and look for the device you would like to connect your device to. Select the device from the list of detected devices and the pairing will start. In a few seconds, your device will be connected via Bluetooth.
Why is my Bluetooth not finding devices?
Your Bluetooth might not find devices when they are out of range or if there is an issue with the pairing mode. Resetting your Bluetooth will help fix this problem. To reset Bluetooth on Android, go to Settings > Connection & sharing > Reset WiFi, Mobile Networks, and Bluetooth > Reset settings
Wrapping up!
Woah! That’s a lot of information to handle, isn’t it? But given the type of problem we are addressing, the solution ought to be a detailed one.
Repeated Bluetooth pairing requests are certainly annoying. Ignoring them may fix the issue temporarily, but long-term fixes will require those steps mentioned above.
Try the above fixes and let me know in the comments section below if you were able to stop Bluetooth pairing requests on your Android device. Until next time, take care and stay safe! Cheers!
