Can iOS device communicate with BT device?
So far, I know that an iOS device can communicate with a BT device if the BT device meets the MFI requirements. But some of my friends say that Apple no longer supports BT devices after the introduction of BLE devices. As far as I understand, an iOS device can communicate with a BT device using an external accessory if the BT device is MFI compliant? Searched a lot and couldn't find any useful apple documentation. Any help is appreciated
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You can connect to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) like Bluetooth Smart or Bluetooth 4.0 using the basic Bluetooth infrastructure. BLE devices are specifically excluded from the MFI program.
Bluetooth 2.1 devices are covered by the external accessory infrastructure and require an MFI program to be certified by Apple.
There are a few exceptions to this: some standard profiles like headset, hands-free, streaming audio, and keyboard are supported without an MFI connection, but you don't interact with these devices at the Bluetooth level - the audio devices are controlled through the AV framework, and the keyboard is just sends its input to text controls just like on-screen keyboard
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