Bose QC 35 Headphones Won’t Connect to iPhone [Solved]

If you recently updated your iPhone to iOS 13, you might have experienced problems with your Bose QC 35 headphones.

The Bose Connect app doesn’t pair the device to the headphones as it did in the past after updating to the new operating system.

When nothing connects to your iPhone, there could be a pairing issue with Bluetooth to correct.

If everything but the Bose QC 35 headphones connect, you’ll want to follow this guide to correct the situation.

Bose QC 35 Headphones Won’t Connect to iPhone [Solved]

You can connect your Bose QC 35 headphones to your iPhone on iOS 13 or later by turning the devices off for 30 seconds. During this time, plug the headset into its USB power supply connected to a wall outlet. Wait for five seconds, unplug the USB cord, and wait one minute before joining again.

If you have found that the Bose QC 35 headphones are not connecting after updating your Apple device to iOS 13, you can take these steps to complete a reset.

1. Turn the QC 35 headphones off.
2. Wait for 30 seconds while not touching anything on the device.
3. Plug the headphones into a USB power supply using the appropriate cord. It would be best if you had it connected to a standard household receptacle and not a portable battery, computer, or another alternative power source.
4. Unplug the QC 35 headphones from the USB cord.
5. Allow the Bose headphones to sit for another 60 seconds without touching anything on the headphones.
6. Turn on the headphones.

After following those six steps, the headphones often reset so that you can connect them to Bluetooth as you did before upgrading to iOS 13.

If this process doesn’t allow your Apple device to connect, you might have an issue with your iPhone or iPad.

Primary Troubleshooting Solutions for the Bose QC 35 Headphones

When you use the Bose QC 35 headphones, it is essential to remember that you have a receiver. That means it can accept a signal from a source, but the headphones won’t provide one to another device.

You cannot connect one Bluetooth receiver to another.

Bluetooth signals have a maximum distance where a connection is possible. If you’re not within 33 feet of the source signal from your Apple device, the headphones will not function correctly.

You might need to restore your Bluetooth connections on your iPhone after updating it to iOS 13. If this issue affects your headphones, you’ll want to have the headphones turned on.

Please navigate to the Bluetooth connections on your mobile device, search for the Bose headphones, and authorize the pairing when it pops up.

If the headphones continue to fail to connect with your iPhone, try using them with the other items on your device list.

When it works with other things and not your Apple device, you’ll want to use this guide’s outlined steps to attempt restoration.

■ How to Reset Your iPhone or iPad after iOS 13

You don’t want to do a factory reset on your iPhone or iPad after iOS 13.

If you have an older model, such as an iPhone 7, you’d go back to an older operating system and need to update everything a second time.

The fastest way to reset your iPhone to accept the connection from the Bose QC 35 headphones is to turn the device off and on again.

This cycle often corrects the errors that can develop over the course of regular operations.

If you don’t want to turn your iPhone off, you could turn Airplane Mode on and then off again to simulate the reset.

1. Tap the Settings icon from your home screen.
2. The first menu choice on most devices is Airplane Mode. It is above the Wi-Fi selection.
3. Use the slider to activate this mode to deactivate your connections.
4. Allow the Apple device to sit in this status for two minutes.
5. Return the slider to the “Off” position.
6. Wait for the iPhone to restore its connections.
7. Check to see if your Bose QC 35 headphones will connect again.

Although older headphones can do a hard reset, the Bose QC 35 headphones use a companion app to manage settings.

This option is not currently available in the software, which is why you must take the cycling approach with your Apple device or the Bose headphones to restore the Bluetooth connection.

■ What if I Cannot Clear the Pairing List?

The Bose QC 35 headphones can pair with up to eight different devices. That makes it one of the most convenient investments imaginable for your long-term listening needs.

With this setup, you can listen to your Apple device while commuting to work. Once you arrive at the office, it can transition to your desktop there.

You can return to your iPhone on the way home, use it with your home entertainment system, or have it match with other mobile devices (such as an iPad).

When you have multiple Bluetooth connections programmed into the QC 35 headphone’s settings, you can sometimes have the headphones cycle through the different options without recognizing you’re in range of a preferred device.

After verifying that your Bluetooth is turned on for the targeted device, you can clear your pairing list by taking the following steps.

1. Turn the power on to the Bose QC 35 headphones.
2. Slide the Power switch to the Bluetooth icon.
3. Hold the Power switch in the position next to the Bluetooth icon for ten seconds. You’ll need to wait until you hear confirmation that the device list got cleared.
4. If your finger slips for even a moment, you’ll need to turn the power off to your QC 35 headphones, turn it on again, and make another attempt.
5. Rarely, the Bose headphones won’t clear the device list when following these steps. You can manually remove items through the companion app to achieve the same result.
6. Start the Bose Connect App.
7. Tap on the Bluetooth icon. Go to Connections, then choose Edit.
8. Click on the X and Disconnect. This action removes the chosen device from the list that your headphones recognize.

It also helps to have your Bose QC 35 headphones operating on the latest software update.

If you connect them to your personal computer and follow the on-screen instructions, you’ll have the chance to get everything functioning once again after your iOS 13 update.

Once you have the latest firmware for your headphones, you can turn the headphones off and on again to complete the reset.

They might connect after those steps because you’re now running the latest version of the operating firmware.

What If Your Bose QC 35 Headphones Still Won’t Connect to iPhone?

If you’ve taken all of the steps outlined above and the QC 35 headphones still don’t connect correctly, you’ll want to contact Bose customer service.

You will need to have the serial number of your QC 35 headphones before speaking with a representative to have the best experience at this step.

Once you have that number, you can call toll-free at 1 (800) 379-2073. Bose’s customer service hours are 9 AM to 9 PM on weekdays or 9 AM to 7 PM on Saturdays.

Bose does not take customer service calls over the phone on Sundays.

If you encounter this issue with your Bose QC 35 headphones on a Sunday, you can take advantage of the Product Support feature found on the company’s website.

That’s when you can start following these steps.

1. After you navigate to Bose’s web page, you’ll want to tap or click on the headphones image.
2. Select the “Around Ear” category to find information about your QC 35 headphones. Different information blocks are available for the company’s aviation sets and in-ear products.
3. You’ll receive a list of every headphone set manufactured in this category. The QuietComfort 35s (I and II) sit to the right of the Bose 700s.
4. Choose the appropriate model.
5. You’ll be taken to a “How Can We Help You?” page. Select the “Troubleshooting” guide.
6. You’ll see a scrolling list of potential issues where directed help is available for your headphones. If you’re having trouble with the Bluetooth, select that option. It is between “Battery” and “Controls” on the list.
7. You’ll see four links pop up underneath the slider. You’ll want to choose “Cannot connect a Bluetooth device” to manage this issue with iOS 13.
8. The article that displays will provide several different troubleshooting options for you to consider.

It can be a frustrating experience to have your Bose QC 35 headphones fail to connect after installing iOS 13.

By following the steps in this guide, you should find a solution that corrects this issue.

If you continue having problems, there could be a coding issue with the headphones.

A Bose customer service representative can take you through the next steps to follow if you have that issue.