It is possible that when you have gone to connect an accessory to your iPhone, be it by cable or Bluetooth, a message has appeared that says something like “This accessory is not compatible with the iPhone” and therefore does not allow you to use it. In this article we investigate the reasons and possible solutions to address to make these accessories can be used without problems on your mobile.
If the device is working properly
In this case, don’t give it more importance. It could be a system bug that, for some reason, detects the accessory as non-original and still allows it to be used. It may be fixed in a future iOS update. Of course, if the message appears and the operation is intermittent, it is clear that perhaps there is a real compatibility problem, so we recommend that you continue reading this article.
Is the accessory really compatible?
Before continuing reading everything we have to tell you about this message, the possible causes and solutions, there is something tremendously important and it is that the accessory is not really compatible with the device. Examine the accessory guide or box and verify that it is. Sometimes we find devices that say “compatible with iPhone”, but then it is specified that they are only functional with some of them. Therefore it is essential that you make sure that this is the case. If you cannot find information, you can visit the manufacturer’s website or even contact them or the store where you bought it in case it does not match.
Try updating iOS to its latest version
Most accessories, whether Apple or not, require a minimum version of the iOS operating system to function. This is because in some previous versions it is not possible to connect them because the iPhone is not software-ready for it. That is why the first tip to keep in mind is always to update the phone to the latest iOS version that exists for it, which you can do from Settings> General> Software update.
If you are already in the latest version , great, you can continue reading what we propose throughout this article. If your iPhone is old and it does not update to the most recent versions, update it also to the latest one available because perhaps it could be useful. It should be noted that keeping the device updated also brings improvements in performance and security, so you will win in any case.
If it happens with Bluetooth devices
Normally the error message we describe does not appear when trying to connect a Bluetooth device, but if it does, it is clear that you will have something to check. First of all, is an iPhone compatible with these types of accessories? You may be trying to connect it to a Bluetooth video game controller, mixing console, or peripheral such as a mouse that cannot work on the device. If you verify that it is compatible with the phone, you have updated as we mentioned above and others, you can try the following.
- Make sure the accessory has a battery to work.
- Follow the instructions set by the manufacturer of the accessory to connect it to the iPhone.
- Turn Bluetooth on and off to reset connections.
- Restart the iPhone to close any possible background processes that could be making connection difficult.
- Restore the iPhone if you see it necessary, although it is a very radical solution.
- Contact Apple and / or accessory manufacturer to discuss the issue.
With original wired chargers or headphones
If you are using an original accessory and yet you get a message warning that it is not compatible, it is clear that something is not right. Here there are several possibilities; the first one is that the accessory is not really original . This can happen if you made your purchase at a store or online store other than Apple or an authorized vendor. Make sure that it actually is and if it is from one of these official stores, completely rule out that it is a problem with the accessory.
Another possibility is that the accessory is damaged and the iPhone recognizes it as not compatible. Check the end of the cable that is connected to the device and make sure that it is not damaged. If you have to use an intermediate accessory, such as a jack to Lightning adapter, you will also need to check it on it.
Finally you must examine the port of the iPhone to which you are plugging the accessory. Either the Lightning or the headphone jack. If it is physically damaged or you suspect that it has internal water damage or any other issue, you can go to Apple to have it verified. In any case, a recommendation we make is to clean it always using a soft bristle brush and / or a lint-free swab, since the small specks of dust that can accumulate here can be fatal to the connections.
When connecting third-party accessories
Again at this point we recommend that you examine all the connectors of the accessory and the iPhone in order to identify the possible failure. If, as we warned in the first point, you have already made sure that it is compatible with your iPhone, you should contact the seller. It is possible that the device was defective, especially if you bought it a short time ago and despite the fact that it worked well at first. Therefore in these cases it will be covered by the legal guarantee and they will have to supply you with another replacement model or offer you a refund.