Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones on iOS 12 FaceTime?

Yes, you can use Bluetooth headphones for audio and microphone input during FaceTime calls on iOS 12. Apple’s operating system natively supports standard Bluetooth audio devices, including AirPods, Beats, and third-party wireless headsets. This guide covers how Bluetooth audio routing works in iOS 12 FaceTime, how to manually switch audio outputs, and how to resolve common connection issues.

How to Use Bluetooth Headphones on iOS 12 FaceTime

To use your wireless headphones during a FaceTime video or audio call, ensure your device is paired before starting the conversation:

  1. Open Settings on your iOS 12 device and tap Bluetooth.
  2. Turn Bluetooth on and select your headphones from the My Devices list to connect them.
  3. Open the FaceTime app and start or answer a call.

In most cases, iOS 12 automatically routes both the incoming audio and your microphone input to the connected Bluetooth device.

Manually Switching Audio Sources During a Call

If the audio defaults to the iPhone or iPad speaker instead of your headphones, you can manually redirect it:

  1. Tap the screen during an active FaceTime call to reveal the control overlay.
  2. Tap the Audio button (represented by a speaker icon).
  3. A menu will appear listing available audio destinations, such as iPhone, Speaker, and your connected Bluetooth device.
  4. Tap the name of your Bluetooth headphones to route the audio through them.

You can also change the audio destination via the iOS 12 Control Center. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or swipe down from the top-right corner on iPhone X and newer), long-press or deep-press the Music/Audio card in the upper-right corner, tap the AirPlay icon, and choose your Bluetooth headphones.

Troubleshooting Audio Issues

If your Bluetooth headphones do not play sound or the microphone fails during a FaceTime call:

  • Toggle Bluetooth: Open the Control Center, tap the Bluetooth icon to disconnect, wait five seconds, and tap it again to reconnect.
  • Check Device Selection: Ensure your headphones are actively selected in the in-call Audio menu, as iOS 12 may occasionally default to the built-in speaker.
  • Forget and Re-pair: Go to Settings > Bluetooth, tap the "i" icon next to your accessory, choose Forget This Device, and pair it again from scratch.
  • Restart the Device: If connection errors persist, restart your iPhone or iPad to clear temporary background audio conflicts.