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Continuing from Standalone Bluetooth my project is almost complete.

For any of you who haven't seen that, here's a short info: I'm trying to make an automated list of attendees by using a program that runs on a smartphone that can detect the HC-05.

So far it's all good, good only on Android based smartphones. Unfortunately, it doesn't work with iOS based devices. I've read several posts around that iOS based devices can't see the HC-05 because of the limitation in their bluetooth rules.

But, in every single post that "I've read" there's none of em that talks about the solution. I want to know if there's any workaround for this? Or should I change to another bluetooth module? If anyone need more info I could provide everything.

Thanks in advance!

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There is no workaround. HC-05 simply doesn't work with iOS, because iOS only supports a few Bluetooth profiles. This is because Apple uses MFi Licensing Program.

What does work is BLE. It's not part of MFi.

In other words: it's either dumping the iOS device or changing to a different Bluetooth profile.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks for answering. Now, if I choose to move to the BLE, can you name a few since I'm new to this bluetooth stuff? And does the BLE have a MAC Address? Since my program detects the HC-05 just by the way it scans for nearby BT MAC Address. \$\endgroup\$
    – TenzoNakami
    Commented Aug 23, 2016 at 9:48
  • \$\begingroup\$ I haven't worked with Bluetooth before, so I'm not completely sure but BLE shoud have a MAC address. BLE is also used in those beacons you can attach to products so you can find them again. As for specific components I have nothing specific, but I'm sure there are many articles about BLE and devies that work with it. Good luck! \$\endgroup\$
    – Len
    Commented Aug 23, 2016 at 9:56
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    \$\begingroup\$ HM-10 and HM-11 are the BLE brothers of HC-05/06, and rumor has it that they work fine with iOs and Android - give them a try. \$\endgroup\$
    – Aldo Naletto
    Commented May 4, 2017 at 16:28
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As is stated above, the Hc-05 isn't compatible with iOS because it's not certified under their licensing. BLE devices work, regardless of the brand - so I recommend using either the HM-10, or another CC2541 type BLE module. You can also look into the NRF51xx or NRF8001. I personally like the HM-10 because of the versatile nature, as well as a nice low-power sleep mode. I wrote several articles about the HM-10, including one about sending data to an iPhone:

Sending a String via the HM-10 Bluetooth Module

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