Most of us use our smartphones as an entertainment center for audio, video, and more. Although your smartphone can do almost anything like controlling your TV, the audio isn’t t its best. While you can play audio and videos from your iPhone using a sound system, but if you want to broadcast through an amplifier, you will need to connect it properly.
So, how do you connect your iPhone to a stereo amplifier? If your iPhone has a 3.5mm headphone jack port, you can use an RCA connector and connect to your stereo then connect the other end of the 3.5mm jack to your iPhone. However, if your iPhone doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack, you can use a lighting dock. You can also use a wireless Bluetooth adapter or wifi adapter.
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Using a 3.5mm jack
If your iPhone has a 3.5mm jack you can get RCA cables that have a 3.5mm jack that you can use to connect to your iPhone. An RCA cable has 2 ends that have been designed differently with one end having the 3.5mm headphone jack and the other end having 2 RCA connectors that you plug behind your stereo.
Plug the 2 RCA connectors directly behind your stereo amplifier. The connectors are color-coded so make sure the red goes to the red and the white to the white. You can then connect the 3.5 mm jack to your iPhone.
If your amplifier doesn’t have RCA ports but 6.5mm ports, there are 6.5mm to RCA adapters that you can connect to the RCA cables, then connect your iPhone to the 3.5mm jack and you’re set to go.
To get the best sound quality when using the RCA cables, turn your iPhone volume to half so it’s not too loud to get distorted and not too low to produce some hissing noise.
Using a wireless Bluetooth adapter
Your iPhone should have Bluetooth connectivity so you just turn on the Bluetooth on your amplifier and iPhone to connect seamlessly. In case your stereo doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth, you can buy a Bluetooth adapter. Most Bluetooth adapters can connect to your stereo system, amplifier, or receivers using a 3.5mm jack or RCA and some are small devices that will receive the signal from your iPhone. You just plug it into an audio input at the back of your amplifier just like an RCA cable, but there’s no wire for your iPhone. The Bluetooth amplifier needs the power to function either using a USB or wall plug for charging or durable batteries. Once connected, you can pair your amplifier with your iPhone to enjoy music or videos.
Using a wifi adapter
Since Bluetooth has a maximum range of about 10 meters that can be affected by objects, line of sight, or walls it might not be very effective. There are wifi adapters that will transmit audio from your iPhone to your stereo amplifier with quality audio and being a wireless network, it has a more significant range.
Most of the new stereos nowadays are added an AIRPLAY with a built-in wifi receiver. This means you don’t need to connect any cables, you can just play from your iPhone via your wifi (Airport) network directly to your stereo without losing the quality. However, make sure you check the compatibility of your devices.
Using a phone or tablet dock
Maybe you’ve noticed that when you plug your iPhone directly into your stereo, the sound quality isn’t that good. It’s because your iPhone’s headphone jack is meant for headphones, not for a stereo, but if you want to get the best sound quality from your stereo, you should buy a dock for your iPhone.
You just need to plug it into your amplifier just like the RCA cables so you can view videos of the music playing. some docks have been designed for specific devices, so ensure that your dock is compatible with your iPhone for example, Apple makes docks only for their devices, and they at times not even be compatible with your device.
Some docks are also designed for a specific connection type like micro-USB for Android, 30-pin, or Lightning for iSO. However, you can find a dock with a universal mount that will allow you to plug any cables that will connect to the inputs in your stereo amplifier.
Tip to boost the bass quality of your iPhone
Normally, you don’t carry a pair of speakers with you when you’re out and about with your iPhone. So if you want to play some music for a group of people, you’ll have to find somewhere to plug your iPhone into a stereo or use Airplay to play into an Airport Express. However, you can use an empty, clean, and dry pint glass, turn on the music on your iPhone, then place your iPhone in the glass. The glass will act like an echo chamber giving your quality audio, more bass, and amplifies the volume.
Conclusion
There are many ways you can play music from your iPhone to your stereo amplifier without losing the sound quality. This will bring the playlist on your iPhone to life and enhance your mood, especially if you have a house party and you want to fill the room with live music with great sound quality. RCA cables, wifi adapters, wireless Bluetooth adapters, and phone docks are small devices that will make it happen.
FAQs
How do I connect my iPhone to my car stereo via Bluetooth?
On your iPhone, go to settings, then Bluetooth, and turn it off. Wait for 5 seconds then turn it on again. Check your car manual for instructions on how to pair with a Bluetooth device, but most cars need a phone setup on the car display.
How do I get my iPhone to play through my speakers?
On your iPhone or iPad, open the control center. At the top right corner, touch and hold the group of controls, then tap on Airplay. Tap on the speakers that you want to play your music to turn their audio on.
