How to Connect Your Cricut Machine to Bluetooth

Connecting your Cricut to Bluetooth in three steps

To connect your Cricut machine to Bluetooth, turn on the machine, open the Cricut Design Space app on your phone or tablet, go to Settings, select your machine model, and tap "Connect via Bluetooth." Your device will search for nearby Cricut machines. When your machine appears in the list, tap it to pair. The connection is complete when you see a checkmark next to your machine name in the app.

This process takes about two minutes and only needs to happen once — after that, your Cricut will reconnect automatically when both devices are turned on and in range. Bluetooth range is typically 30 feet, though walls and other devices can reduce that distance.

Key Takeaways

Your Cricut machine must be powered on and in pairing mode before you start the connection process in the app.
The Cricut Design Space app on your phone or tablet is where you initiate the Bluetooth connection, not on the machine itself.
Once paired, your Cricut will reconnect automatically each time you open Design Space, as long as Bluetooth is turned on on both devices.
If the connection fails, restart both your Cricut and your phone or tablet, then try pairing again.

Before you start: what you need

You need a Cricut machine that supports Bluetooth — this includes Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Joy, and Cricut Venture models. Older machines like the original Cricut Explore do not have Bluetooth and must connect by USB cable instead.

On your phone or tablet, you need the official Cricut Design Space app, which is free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Your phone or tablet's Bluetooth must be turned on in Settings before you begin. The machine and your device should be within 10 feet of each other during pairing, though they can be farther apart once connected.

Step-by-step: pairing your machine

Step 1: Turn on your Cricut machine. Press the power button and wait for the home screen to appear. The machine does not need to be in a special mode — regular on is all that is required.

Step 2: Open Cricut Design Space on your phone or tablet. If you do not have a Cricut account yet, create one using your email address. Sign in with your account credentials.

Step 3: Tap the three horizontal lines (menu icon) in the top left corner. Scroll down and select "Settings." This opens your account and device settings.

Step 4: Look for "Connected Machines" or "Add Machine." The exact wording varies by app version, but it is always in the Settings menu. Tap it to start searching for your machine.

Step 5: Select your machine model from the list that appears. The app will show you options like "Cricut Maker," "Cricut Explore 3," or "Cricut Joy." Choose the one you own.

Step 6: Tap "Connect via Bluetooth." The app will now search for your machine. This usually takes 10 to 20 seconds. Your machine name will appear in a list when it is found.

Step 7: Tap your machine name to pair. A confirmation message will appear on both your device and your machine screen. Once you see the checkmark, the pairing is complete.

Troubleshooting when pairing does not work

If your machine does not appear in the app's search list, first check that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone or tablet's Settings. Then restart your Cricut machine by turning it off, waiting 10 seconds, and turning it back on. Restart your phone or tablet as well, reopen Design Space, and try pairing again.

If the connection still fails, move your phone or tablet closer to the machine — within 5 feet — and try once more. Bluetooth signals are blocked by metal objects and some walls, so moving to a different room or away from metal shelving can help. If you have other Bluetooth devices nearby (headphones, smartwatches, other machines), turn them off temporarily, as they can interfere with the pairing process.

If you have already paired your Cricut before and the connection suddenly stops working, forget the machine from your phone's Bluetooth settings and pair it again from scratch. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Cricut machine name, tap the info icon, and select "Forget This Device." On Android, go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth, find your machine, and tap "Unpair." Then repeat the pairing steps above.

What to do if your machine does not support Bluetooth

If you own an older Cricut Explore or Cricut Explore Air, your machine connects to Design Space by USB cable instead of Bluetooth. You will need a USB-A to USB-B cable (the kind used for many printers) and a computer running Design Space, not a phone or tablet app.

Plug the USB cable into the back of your Cricut machine and into your computer. Open Design Space on your computer, go to Settings, and select "Connected Machines." The app will detect your machine automatically. This connection is permanent as long as the cable stays plugged in — you do not need to pair it each time.

Using your Cricut after Bluetooth is connected

Once your machine is paired, you can cut designs wirelessly from Design Space. Open the app, choose or create a design, and tap the cut button. Your design will send to the machine over Bluetooth, and the machine will begin cutting automatically. You do not need to do anything on the machine itself — all commands come from the app.

Your Cricut will stay connected as long as both your phone or tablet and the machine are powered on and within Bluetooth range. If you close Design Space or turn off your phone, the connection pauses but is not broken. When you open Design Space again, your machine will reconnect within a few seconds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pair my Cricut every time I use it?

No. Once you pair your machine, it stays paired. The next time you turn on both your Cricut and your phone or tablet, they will reconnect automatically when you open Design Space. You only pair once, unless you unpair the machine intentionally or reset your Cricut to factory settings.

Can I connect my Cricut to multiple phones or tablets?

Yes. You can pair your Cricut to several devices, but only one device can control it at a time. If you try to cut from two phones simultaneously, the machine will only respond to the first command. Unpair from one device before switching to another if you want to avoid confusion.

Why does my Cricut keep disconnecting from Bluetooth?

Bluetooth disconnects when your phone or tablet moves out of range, when Bluetooth is turned off, or when Design Space closes. If your machine disconnects while you are in the same room, restart both devices and check that no other Bluetooth devices are interfering. If disconnections happen frequently, your phone or tablet's Bluetooth hardware may need service.

What if I want to use a USB cable instead of Bluetooth?

Most newer Cricut machines support both Bluetooth and USB connection. If you prefer USB, plug a USB-A to USB-B cable into the back of your machine and into your computer, then open Design Space on your computer. You do not need to unpair Bluetooth — both connection types can coexist.

Is Bluetooth connection secure?

Cricut Bluetooth uses standard pairing encryption, which is the same security level as connecting wireless headphones or smartwatches. Your designs are sent over Bluetooth only to your own machine, not to the internet or to other devices. If you are concerned about privacy, you can always use a USB cable connection instead.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.