Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
iPhone Randomly Connecting to Samsung Devices – What’s Going On?
Have you noticed your iPhone randomly connecting to other phones or devices you’ve never paired with? Many users have reported that their iPhones connect to devices like Samsung Galaxy S21 or other unknown names, often when they’re in the car using Bluetooth.
It’s frustrating—you’re driving, music is playing, and suddenly your phone drops connection because it has latched onto someone else’s device at the traffic light. Even worse, there’s no (i) info icon to unpair or remove the device.
So, what’s happening here? Let’s break it down.
Why Is My iPhone Connecting to Random Android /Samsung Devices?
- App-Level Bluetooth Permissions
- Some apps, especially music apps, use Bluetooth to connect and share across devices.
- For example, Spotify’s Jam feature allows nearby devices to connect and share music. This can cause your iPhone to appear linked to random phones if the feature is active.
- Background Bluetooth Access
- Apps like Chipolo (item tracker), Google apps, or fitness apps may be granted Bluetooth permissions, even if you don’t actively use them.
- Apple’s Automatic Device Discovery
- iPhones try to connect to “known” nearby Bluetooth devices if permissions overlap. This might mistakenly allow a temporary link.
- Glitches with Car Bluetooth Systems
- Some infotainment systems “relay” Bluetooth signals, which can confuse the iPhone into thinking it’s paired with another phone.
Fixes to Stop iPhone From Connecting to Random Samsung Devices
1. Check App Bluetooth Permissions
- Go to: Settings > Privacy & Security > Bluetooth.
- Review the list of apps that have Bluetooth access.
- Disable it for apps like Spotify, Google apps, or Chipolo.
2. Disable Spotify Jam Feature
- Go to: Spotify > Settings & Privacy > Privacy & Social > Jam Access with Bluetooth.
- Turn it off.
- Alternatively, disable Spotify’s Bluetooth access under iOS settings.
Many users report this instantly fixes the problem.
3. Reset Network Settings
- Go to: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- This clears all saved Wi-Fi, VPN, and Bluetooth connections.
- Reconnect only to trusted devices afterward.
4. Remove Unnecessary Apps
Some users found uninstalling certain Google apps solved the issue. If you rarely use them, try removing them temporarily to test.
5. Contact Apple Support
If nothing works, reach out to Apple Support. Random pairing with other devices could also indicate a deeper iOS Bluetooth bug.
Real User Experiences
- One user noticed the issue while stopped at red lights—the iPhone jumped from their car stereo to a random Samsung device.
- Another found that Spotify Jam was the culprit: disabling Bluetooth permissions for Spotify fixed the issue instantly.
- Some reported it only happened on vacation at crowded places (beach, pool), where many devices were nearby.
Final Thoughts
If your iPhone is connecting to random Samsung devices, don’t panic—it’s usually related to an app like Spotify or Bluetooth permission settings, not hackers. The quickest fix is to:
- Turn off Spotify’s Bluetooth access
- Disable unnecessary app Bluetooth permissions
- Reset your network settings
If the issue continues, contact Apple support for a more permanent solution.
