Connecting your phone to Subaru Bluetooth makes calls, messages, and music easier while you drive. This guide walks you through each step so the process feels smooth, secure, and frustration free.
Below is a compact overview of the main stages you will follow, from preparation to troubleshooting, so you can refer back quickly when needed.
| Stage | Action | What to expect | Time required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Check compatibility and charge devices | Phone and Subaru infotainment ready to pair | 2 minutes |
| Enable phone mode | Turn on Bluetooth visibility on your phone | Device appears in Subaru device list | 1 minute |
| Activate Subaru Bluetooth | Open Settings, select Phone, then Add Device | Scanning starts, search for your phone | 1–2 minutes |
| Confirm pairing | Match the PIN on both displays and accept | Connection established, address saved | 30 seconds |
| Test functions | Make a call, play music, check contacts | Audio routes to car speakers, voice control works | 2 minutes |
Preparing your devices for Subaru Bluetooth pairing
Before you begin, make sure your phone and Subaru are ready. Ensure the vehicle is on with the engine running or the ignition in the ON position so the infotainment system is active.
Check that your phone supports Bluetooth 4.0 or higher and that Subaru Uconnect software is up to date through the vehicle information menu or an authorized dealer.
Charge both devices so the battery level is above 50 percent, which reduces interruptions during the pairing process and helps the connection stabilize faster.
Activating Subaru Bluetooth on the infotainment screen
Navigate to the Settings menu using the center console controller or touchscreen, then tap Phone to open the Bluetooth settings area specific to your Subaru model.
Select Add Device to place the infotainment system into discoverable mode, which allows your phone to detect the vehicle as a Bluetooth audio and phone device.
Keep the screen visible and avoid pressing unrelated buttons too quickly, since Subaru systems can take a few seconds to begin scanning after Add Device is selected.
Enabling phone Bluetooth visibility and searching
Open your phone Settings, go to Connections or Bluetooth, and toggle the switch to turn on visibility so the device can be seen by nearby cars.
Wait for your phone name to appear in the Subaru list of detected devices, which typically shows up with a recognizable model label such as an iPhone or Android device name.
If your phone does not appear immediately, pull down the quick settings panel to ensure Bluetooth is fully enabled and that no Airplane Mode is active.
Confirming the PIN and completing the pairing
When both screens display the same four-digit code, confirm that the numbers match exactly, then tap Pair on the phone and Yes on the Subaru screen to finalize the handshake.
During this step, the system may prompt you to allow access to Contacts and Call Logs, which you should accept so that phone dialing and contact name display work properly in the car.
Once connected, you will see the device listed under paired devices in Subaru Bluetooth, and the status should change to Connected rather than Searching.
Testing calls, audio, and messaging features
Start by opening your music app or streaming service, then verify that sound plays through the car speakers and that you can adjust volume from both the source and the steering wheel controls.
Initiate a test call using your paired phone number or a contact in the address book, ensuring that the voice path is clear on both ends and that the system switches correctly between call and music.
Check that incoming message notifications appear on the screen and that you can respond using voice commands or by selecting suggested replies when available.
FAQ
Reader questions
My Subaru infotainment does not detect my phone even though Bluetooth is on, what should I check first?
Confirm that the phone is in discoverable mode, that the Subaru system is actively scanning by checking the Phone menu, and restart both devices before trying again.
Pairing succeeds but calls still use the phone speaker instead of the car audio, how can I fix this?
Go to your phone Bluetooth settings, tap the connected Subaru device, and ensure that both Call Audio and Media Audio are enabled so voice and music route correctly.
After a software update, my contacts no longer appear in the Subaru Bluetooth interface, what can I do?
Reopen the Subaru Phone settings, remove the device from the paired list, then re-add it and explicitly allow Contacts access when prompted during pairing.
The connection drops at low speeds or in tunnels, is there a way to make the link more stable?
Keep the infotirmware updated, reduce electronic interference by turning off unused wireless accessories, and if the problem persists, reset network settings on your phone and re-pair.