No widget to connect to specific Bluetooth device?

[PilotGav]

Is there seriously no way to connect to a specific BT device from a widget or icon? It's insane to have to go into SETTINGS - Bluetooth just to connect.

I'm assuming this is another thing Apple has locked down?

Thanks for any advice.

Gavin

 

[erichards2]

That is correct. It's a painstaking process. It's needed because most BT devices don't have the independent systems to recognize the connection. Unlike the new air pods that have their own W1 chip. Cheers!

 

[Ledsteplin]

Painstaking? 2 taps and you're there. I never had issue with that. I can swipe right to the widgets and tap Bluetooth on my Launcher widgets. It goes straight to Bluetooth in Settings. Not sure it saves time though. It might.

 

[PilotGav]

That's perfect. I'll check that out. Thanks!

 

[PilotGav]

Launcher was the answer. I have a feeling I'll be using it for many more things!

 

[nikkisharif]

Painstaking? 2 taps and you're there. I never had issue with that. I can swipe right to the widgets and tap Bluetooth on my Launcher widgets. It goes straight to Bluetooth in Settings. Not sure it saves time though. It might.

All my BT devices connect automatically. Glad you reminded me of Launcher, just in case I get a new one that doesn't.

 

[charliez#AC]

I'm not seeing a widget or option in Launcher for Bluetooth... what am I'm missing here? It's exactly what I downloaded Launcher for even before I read this today. Is it locked down to the paid version of Launcher?

 

[Spencerdl]

All my BT devices connect automatically

Same here, and it connects quickly, unlike my experience with other platforms that take forever to connect. Just sayin'

 

[charliez#AC]

Some do, some don't... for example, I connect automatically in my car, but I have some speakers in my home that only connect "on demand".

That said, I learned that Launcher is not allowed by Apple to include settings launchers, but there's a handy workaround

 

[charliez#AC]

Well, since my post was edited by the moderator to remove the link to the workaround instructions, may I suggest those interested simply Google "macrumors manual settings launchers"? Just look for the post "Manually creating Settings launchers in app launching apps"...

(Hope this is not considered a TOS violation...)

 

[Antonio Ortega]

No longer works starting in iOS 11

Well, since my post was edited by the moderator to remove the link to the workaround instructions, may I suggest those interested simply Google "macrumors manual settings launchers"? Just look for the post "Manually creating Settings launchers in app launching apps"...

(Hope this is not considered a TOS violation...)

UPDATE: These Settings URLs no longer work starting in iOS 11. Apple has removed that functionality from the Settings app. Your only choice to keep these functional would be to remain on iOS 10.