How to Manage Third Party App Access to Bluetooth on iPhone and iPad

Sep. 8, 2020

Not too long ago, Apps could access Bluetooth on your iPhone without any restriction what-so-ever. And that too without asking for your permission or keeping you in the know! When the concern over companies tracking the location of users over Bluetooth by using beacons in shopping malls and stores became louder, Apple introduced an effective privacy feature to let users manage third-party app access to Bluetooth on iPhone and iPad in iOS 13/iPadOS 13 or later.

Control Third-Party App Access to Bluetooth on iPhone and iPad

With this much-neededprivacy feature coming into effect in iOS 13, an app must ask for your permission to access the Bluetooth of your device – just the way it has to take theapproval for tracking,local network, location, camera, and microphone.

More importantly, you can now revoke the third-party access to Bluetooth on your device on your terms.

Different apps need Bluetooth for different purposes. For instance, afitness applike Fitbit may require Bluetooth to connect to your tracker to keep a tab on your exercise. Anda social networking app like Facebookmay require access to Bluetooth to connect to and share information with accessories and other Apple devices.

If you find the reason valid enough, you can hit OK to let an app use your Bluetooth. Just in case you aren’t pleased with the reason or find it obscure, you can simply hit the “Don’t Allow” option in the popup to shut the door. Fortunately, it’s all in your hands now!

1. On your iPhone or iPad, launchSettingsapp.

2. Now, scroll down and choosePrivacy.

3. Next, selectBluetooth.

4. On this screen, you should a list of all the apps which have accessed the Bluetooth on your device. Simply,turn off the switchnext to an app which you no longer want to use Bluetooth of your device.

In the end, quit the Settings. Whatever changes you make will come into effect immediately.

So, that’s how you can prevent any app from misusing the Bluetooth of your device. Now that you know the truth behind why Apple had to bring it on iOS, make sure to get the most out of it to enhance security and privacy.

The Cupertino-based company has vastly improved privacy iniOS 14. Features likelimiting third-party access to Photosandpreventing apps from having access to your precise locationare some of the notable additions. What’s your view about them? Do share it with us.

An old school bibliophile who turned a tech nerd out of obsession. When he is not digging into hacks and tracking down stories that are breaking the internet, you may find him reciting poems.