Comparison

A2DPblocker vs nRF Connect for Mobile

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

A2DPblocker

This app prevents Bluetooth stereo audio from automatically connecting on your iOS device. It allows other Bluetooth functions like calls and GPS audio to work seamlessly with your car kit or headset.

Highlights
  • Blocks A2DP connections
  • Defaults audio output to HFP car kits/headsets
  • Maintains default audio output device
  • Built-in iPod controls
  • Audio Playback Queue support
  • Suppresses audio notification alerts (older iOS)
Features
Read full description

WHAT IS IT? ------------------------------------------// A2DPblocker is an audio player that blocks the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) (i.e. Bluetooth Stereo Profile) from connecting on a Bluetooth enabled iOS device without completely disabling the Bluetooth hardware. This enables the iOS device to continue to perform other Bluetooth functions like default audio output from another audio app (dictation, audio books, podcasts, GPS, music streaming, etc.) to a Hands-Free Profile (HFP) enabled Bluetooth car kit, headset, etc. as well as make phone calls over Bluetooth, and wirelessly control the iPod with a paired AVRCP enabled Bluetooth accessory. A2DP was introduced in iOS 3.0 and this app simply blocks A2DP from connecting and maintains the default audio output device when it's running in the foreground (including when the screen is locked on iOS 3.1 or later devices) or background (requires iOS 4.0 or later). You can finally disable A2DP once and for all with this app and stop manually changing the default audio output device each time your car kit, headset, or whatever A2DP enabled Bluetooth accessory you have connects to your iOS device. FEATURES ------------------------------------------// - blocks A2DP. - defaults audio output from another audio app to a HFP enabled Bluetooth car kit, headset, etc. - maintains the default audio output device. - built-in iPod controls. - audio Playback Queue (requires iOS 4.0 or later). - suppresses audio notification alerts (only on pre-iOS 7.0 or earlier devices). HOW TO USE ------------------------------------------// 1.) Pair your Bluetooth enabled iOS device with your Bluetooth car kit, headset, etc. 2.) Launch A2DPblocker and ensure “A2DP Blocker" switch is ON. 3.) Add a downloaded non-DRM (i.e. not copy-protected) audio track from your music library to the Playback Queue on iOS 4.0 or later and adjust the independent volume slider to guarantee A2DP is blocked. 4.) Ensure “Remote Control" switch is OFF. 5.) Set Default Audio to “speaker+” / “receiver” / “speaker” to block A2DP or “headset+” to default audio output via HFP. 6.) Play Playback Queue. 7.) Launch and configure your other audio app or begin playing the iPod with the built-in iPod controls or an attached accessory. Now your Bluetooth enabled iOS device should block the A2DP connection from occurring or audio should now be streaming via the HFP connection as long as A2DPblocker is active. Successive launches of A2DPblocker doesn't require reconfiguration and it will not interfere with the phone call function or transport controls (AVRCP). NOTICE ------------------------------------------// HFP enabled Bluetooth car kits, headsets, etc. that only support the phone call function may configure A2DPblocker to utilize the same connection to playback audio (see HOW TO USE). However, the audio quality of the HFP standard is designed to be low bitrate, mono, and frequency limited to voice ranges, which is why music streaming may sound a bit lacking, but streaming dictation, audio books, podcasts, GPS, etc. for example would sound normal. REQUIREMENTS ------------------------------------------// - requires iOS 7.0 or later. - Bluetooth. - microphone or other audio input. - works best with the audio Playback Queue active. CONTACT INFO ------------------------------------------// Please contact me with your questions and/or comments. If you just love A2DPblocker then please leave a review! - twitter.com/gnavicks - dkanem.selfip.com

About

nRF Connect for Mobile

This app is a versatile tool for scanning, exploring, and communicating with Bluetooth Low Energy devices. It also enables your device to act as a peripheral and supports firmware updates for compatible devices.

Highlights
  • Scan and discover Bluetooth LE peripherals
  • Communicate with Bluetooth LE devices
  • Advertise as a Bluetooth LE peripheral
  • Update compatible device firmware (DFU)
  • Filter scanned peripherals
  • Live RSSI chart
  • Log BLE function calls
Read full description

nRF Connect is a powerful generic tool that allows you to scan and explore your Bluetooth Low Energy (henceforth Bluetooth LE, also called Bluetooth Version 4.0+ of the Bluetooth specification) devices and communicate with them. nRF Connect also allows your iOS device to advertise as a peripheral, with full support of many of Bluetooth SIG adopted profiles. Additionally, nRF Connect supports Nordic Semiconductor’s Device Firmware Update profile (DFU) capabilities, allowing you to update compatible peripherals! + Features: • Supports DFU on all Nordic Semiconducto-powered devices. • Supports Nordic Thingy™ from Nordic Semiconductor. • Scan and discover nearby Bluetooth LE peripherals. • Filter Scanned Peripherals by Name, Manufacturer, Services (Advertised & Connected) and RSSI Level. • Parsing Multiple Formats of Bluetooth LE Advertisement Data. • Live RSSI Chart of Scanned Bluetooth LE Peripherals. • Complete iPad Support, including Multi-Tasking and Mouse Support as of 13.4. • Logs: Including BLE Function calls, and Export Function as CSV and Text. • Privacy-Oriented: Full-Disclosure of Scanned Data, Advertised Data, and User-Performed Actions held by nRF Connect. • Connecting to Any Connectable Bluetooth LE Smart Device. • Discovery of Services, Characteristics and Descriptors. • Read and Write Characteristics and Descriptors. • Enable and Disable Notifications and Indications. • Advertising as a Bluetooth LE Peripheral. • Setting up a Bluetooth LE (Peripheral) Server and Notifying/Indicating back to connected Central(s). • Low-Fat: nRF Connect for iOS is Very Small, so You Can Always Keep Us With You! >= Requirements: • iOS 16.0 and above. - Notes: nRF Connect also works with our Development Kits, which you may acquire online here: https://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/buy-online

Screenshots

A2DPblocker4 screens
nRF Connect for Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: nRF Connect for Mobile at Free against A2DPblocker's $2.99. nRF Connect for Mobile also leads on rating (4.5 vs 2.0) and review sentiment (71% vs 32%). A2DPblocker's advantage is iOS requirement (7.0 vs 17.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

nRF Connect for Mobile is free to download; A2DPblocker costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

nRF Connect for Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: nRF Connect for Mobile has 477 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of A2DPblocker's written reviews are positive against 71% of nRF Connect for Mobile's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

A2DPblocker ships an update every 10 months, nRF Connect for Mobile every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
A2DPblocker versus nRF Connect for Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterA2DPblockernRF Connect for Mobile
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating2.0 (11 ratings)4.5 (477 ratings) — better
Positive reviews32.2% of reviews70.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11477 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS7.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGnavicksNordic Semiconductor ASA

Customer experience

A2DPblocker

All ratings11 ratings
Positive18.2%
Neutral9.1%
Negative72.7%
Written reviews255 reviews
Positive32.2%
Neutral9.4%
Negative58.4%

nRF Connect for Mobile

All ratings466 ratings
Positive85.2%
Neutral6.7%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews239 reviews
Positive70.7%
Neutral8.4%
Negative20.9%

User reviews

A2DPblocker

From 11 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✅ Solves Bluetooth audio routing issues for specific car models
  • 🎵 Enables music playback on older Bluetooth devices without A2DP support
  • ⚡ Simple setup process when instructions are followed
  • 👨‍💼 Responsive and helpful developer support
  • 💰 Affordable one-time purchase price

Room to improve

  • 🔴 Does not work in background - app must stay in foreground
  • 🔋 Significant battery drain when app is running
  • 📉 Poor audio quality - mono instead of stereo
  • 📱 Cannot lock phone screen while using app
  • 🚫 Requires manual playlist creation instead of using standard music app

nRF Connect for Mobile

From 477 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great product
  • 🚀 Very handy
  • 🚀 Amazing functionality
  • 🚀 Love the technology
  • 🚀 Versatile program

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Doesn't seem to work on iOS 17
  • 🐛 Can't really disconnect from peripherals
  • 🐛 New update freezes on launch screen DON'T UPDATE!
  • 🐛 Legacy DFU not working
  • 🐛 Hitting terrible bug

Bugs and requests

A2DPblocker

Reported bugs

11 issues
  • App stops working when screen is locked
  • Simultaneous playback of multiple songs
  • Audio disconnects when switching apps
  • Intermittent functionality - works then suddenly stops
  • Incompatibility with iOS 5, iOS 8, and newer versions
Show 6 more
  • Cannot clear playback queue
  • HFP function does not work with GPS
  • App crashes on certain iOS versions
  • Bluetooth connection drops when using navigation
  • App fails to launch or open properly
  • Audio quality issues with next/previous track controls

Requested features

10 requests
  • Background operation while using other apps
  • Support for streaming services like Spotify and Pandora
  • Screen lock capability while app is active
  • Integration with standard iOS music player
  • Stereo audio support instead of mono
Show 5 more
  • Reduced battery consumption
  • Better audio quality
  • Automatic playlist management
  • Support for navigation apps without disconnecting
  • iOS 8+ compatibility improvements

nRF Connect for Mobile

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Can't read data from Bluetooth device
  • Tries to ask for Bluetooth connection when Bluetooth is off. Asks to connect to devices when Bluetooth is off. Who knows what this app is doing in the background without permission?! What ever it is , it ain't good
  • Tapping "tabs" doesn't work (nothing changes in the UI). To get some response from tapping UI controls typically requires (a) launching nRF Connect, (b) switching to another app, (c) switching back to nRF Connect. I've tried uninstalling and re-downloading. Same result. This used to be the bee's knees of BLE tools but it's only worth 1 star at the moment (v2.7.11).
  • Cant go past the initial announcement. The app is unresponsive to the taps.

Requested features

4 requests
  • Where's the mac addresses
  • Max rssi limit
  • Log view
  • We need macros in iOS version

In-app purchases

None

A2DPblocker

No in-app purchases

None

nRF Connect for Mobile

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is A2DPblocker free?
A2DPblocker costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is nRF Connect for Mobile free?
nRF Connect for Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, A2DPblocker or nRF Connect for Mobile?
nRF Connect for Mobile is rated higher. A2DPblocker averages 2.0 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while nRF Connect for Mobile averages 4.5 from 477 ratings.
Do A2DPblocker or nRF Connect for Mobile have ads?
Neither A2DPblocker nor nRF Connect for Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, A2DPblocker or nRF Connect for Mobile?
A2DPblocker ships an update every 10 months, and nRF Connect for Mobile every 5 weeks. Most recently, A2DPblocker was updated on October 30, 2026 and nRF Connect for Mobile on October 29, 2026.

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