skierrob2

Q: iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

I have a new iPhone SE and have so far paired it to a 2014 BMW 328i and a 2011 Kia Optima and a 2015 Kia Santa Fe. In all cases, I have terrible quality bluetooth call reception... the audio while on a phone call is extremely scratchy and distorted.

 

If I pair an iPhone 6S to each of these vehicles (same iOS version - 9.3.1), I do NOT experience these issues and calls are clear.

 

When I use the iPhone SE to make phone calls outside of Bluetooth, I have no issues and calls are clear.

 

This bluetooth issue on my iPhone SE does NOT impact Bluetooth music streaming. Only sounds scratchy / distorted with phone calls.

 

Apple, so far, is blaming the vehicle manufacturers despite there being multiple vehicle models and brands involved.

 

BMW and Kia state this must be an Apple problem.

 

Apple Genius bar is absolutely no help -- they state they can't report "software issues" to Apple and are only able to replace bad iPhones.

 

I'm at a complete loss as to how to get this to Apple's attention so they can fix the issue.

 

For now, I don't know what to do. All I know is that Bluetooth audio is very important to me in California since it is illegal to use your phone except in a hands free manner.

 

Anyone know how we can get this information to someone at Apple that can actually do something about it?

 

Robert

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 5:27 PM

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Q: iPhone SE Bluetooth issues

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  • by skierrob2,

    skierrob2 skierrob2 Apr 5, 2016 1:06 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (33 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 5, 2016 1:06 PM in response to skierrob2

    To compile a collection, so far the following Bluetooth devices are showing as having problems with the iPhone SE.  Other than providing feedback through Apple's feedback link, not sure what else to do as Apple Genius Bar still just says it must be my car.  I have an appointment with another Genius Bar tomorrow.

     

    DISTORTED / SCRATCHY AUDIO REPORTED WITH THE FOLLOWING:

    * 2011 Nissan Juke (reported by Mickrt)

    * 2011 Kia Optima (reported by skierrob2)

    * 2014 BMW 328i (reported by skierrob2)

    * 2014 Subaru Forrester (reported by Steve Sparks)

    * 2014 GMC Acadia Denali (reported by dcpmark on MacRumors)

    * 2015 Jeep Renegade (reported by Steve Sparks)

    * 2015 Kia Santa Fe (reported by skierrob2)

    * 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan (reported by VUDoc27)

    * 2015 Toyota Rav 4 (reported by lordofthereef on MacRumors)

    * unknown - Ford MySynch - reported by kpeex on MacRumors

    * unknown year - Vauxhall Astra 64 (reported by Mickrt)

     

    NO PROBLEMS DETECTED WITH THE FOLLOWING PER REPORTS:

    * 2013 Toyota RAV 4 (reported by Mainiac on MacRumors)

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion Apr 5, 2016 1:09 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 5, 2016 1:09 PM in response to skierrob2

    If you do meet with Apple specialist tomorrow, could you please mentioned that users with different Bluetooth headsets are also having sound issues?

  • by swiftse3,

    swiftse3 swiftse3 Apr 5, 2016 1:42 PM in response to akordion
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 5, 2016 1:42 PM in response to akordion

    Put me on the list. Iphone SE paired with 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Motorola H710. All was well with 5S. All is now scatchy / distorted / borderline unintelligible.  I will return my phone in the next couple of days if no resolution.

  • by skierrob2,

    skierrob2 skierrob2 Apr 5, 2016 1:56 PM in response to swiftse3
    Level 1 (33 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 5, 2016 1:56 PM in response to swiftse3

    Can't seem to "edit" my post above, so here is a new list:

     

    To compile a collection, so far the following Bluetooth devices are showing as having problems with the iPhone SE.  Other than providing feedback through Apple's feedback link, not sure what else to do as Apple Genius Bar still just says it must be my car.  I have an appointment with another Genius Bar tomorrow.

     

    DISTORTED / SCRATCHY AUDIO REPORTED WITH THE FOLLOWING:

    * 2011 Nissan Juke (reported by Mickrt)

    * 2011 Kia Optima (reported by skierrob2)

    * 2014 BMW 328i (reported by skierrob2)

    * 2014 Subaru Forrester (reported by Steve Sparks)

    * 2014 GMC Acadia Denali (reported by dcpmark on MacRumors)

    * 2015 Jeep Renegade (reported by Steve Sparks)

    * 2015 Kia Santa Fe (reported by skierrob2)

    * 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan (reported by VUDoc27)

    * 2015 Toyota Rav 4 (reported by lordofthereef on MacRumors)

    * 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee (reported by swiftse3)

    * unknown - Ford MySynch - reported by kpeex on MacRumors

    * unknown year - Vauxhall Astra 64 (reported by Mickrt)

    * Motorola H710 (reported by swiftse3)

     

    NO PROBLEMS DETECTED WITH THE FOLLOWING PER REPORTS:

    * 2013 Toyota RAV 4 (reported by Mainiac on MacRumors)

  • by pquack84,

    pquack84 pquack84 Apr 5, 2016 6:40 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 5, 2016 6:40 PM in response to skierrob2

    ADD ME, 2014 Toyota Camry having issues with SE

    Also, my SE is not connecting to my soundbar bluetooth, it is not even reading it as a device to connect to

    I sent this link to this thread to APPLE FEEDBACK, hoping they send out an update for this bug otherwise Im going back to iPhone 5

  • by rulas75,

    rulas75 rulas75 Apr 5, 2016 7:26 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 5, 2016 7:26 PM in response to skierrob2

    I'm having the same issues while making a call over Bluetooth on a 2013 VW Passat with an Advent OVW1 aftermarket headunit.

  • by Thilo1971,

    Thilo1971 Thilo1971 Apr 6, 2016 2:25 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 2:25 AM in response to skierrob2

    Hi

     

    I´ve got the same problem with a BMW 520d and a Ford Galaxy. My previous iPhose 5s had no problems at all.

  • by ianrm57,

    ianrm57 ianrm57 Apr 6, 2016 3:44 AM in response to benicoletti
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 6, 2016 3:44 AM in response to benicoletti

    I have a simular issue, with 2 different identical Bluetooth (Model BTH-068) headsets that I use for phone calls. Received my iphone SE yesterday but tried headset today, and its almost un-usable. Can hardly understand what is being said it is so crackly. It can't be both headsets gone bad at exactly the same time. Both worked perfectly yesterday with my iphone 4S.

     

    I hope apple can fix this issue. I am disabled and can't function without my headset.

     

    If this is apples way of saying buy everything (i.e headset) from us, then I'll be forced to go Android.

  • by voodoo1979,

    voodoo1979 voodoo1979 Apr 6, 2016 5:56 AM in response to ianrm57
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 5:56 AM in response to ianrm57

    I have been having the same exact problems. Thought i would post to confirm information and add some more.

    Before i found these forum posts, reset network settings, then when that didn't work wiped the phone and restored from scratch via iTunes.

     

    I can confirm having issues on a..

    • 2015 Jeep Renegade , with the following software update
      • UCONNECT®5.0 MY16 & MY15 RA2C RJ2C RG2C 10.00.27.00 BU 520
      • Service Bulletin ID: 08-009-16 :RRT15-115Release Date: 2015-11-17
    • Motorola Elite Headset

     

    Both of these worked fine on an iPhone 6. The Renegade radio software update listed above has been on for months and worked fine with the iPhone 6. After the first call i had that was horrible, i had logged in to check the software just to see if there were any updates and still the same as listed above.

     

    I did see that some people took their phone back to Verizon within the 14days and had it replaced and have had luck of everything working as it should. I am going to try that before time runs out.

  • by 1965WM,

    1965WM 1965WM Apr 6, 2016 6:14 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 6:14 AM in response to skierrob2

    you can add the 2014 Ford F-150 Sync to the list of vehicles with terrible phone quality with the SE.  Thinking about going back to my IPhone 4 which was bullet proof and reliable.

  • by skierrob2,Helpful

    skierrob2 skierrob2 Apr 6, 2016 10:11 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (33 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 6, 2016 10:11 AM in response to skierrob2

    Good news (I hope).  I got a call from Apple Support from an iOS Senior Advisor this morning.  In the call, he stated he worked with his colleagues to test Bluetooth on the iPhone SE, and that Apple support has been able to reproduce this issue on more than one bluetooth device. They have already forwarded the information on to their engineers. 

     

    He still wants to collect some logs from my iTunes account so they have additional diagnostic information, which I will do.  But it appears that Apple is now aware of this issue.

     

    Robert

  • by akordion,

    akordion akordion Apr 6, 2016 10:17 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (10 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 6, 2016 10:17 AM in response to skierrob2

    Does sound like a good new or at least it is good that Apple know about the issue. 

    Different topic...just an FYI - yesterday I noticed 2 dust particles under rear camera lens. When I bought the phone, I didn't see any dust under lens, I did look.

  • by Steve9881,

    Steve9881 Steve9881 Apr 6, 2016 12:14 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 12:14 PM in response to skierrob2

    2015 Mercedes sprinter... add to the list please, same problem!

  • by Allisonm67,

    Allisonm67 Allisonm67 Apr 6, 2016 1:54 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 1:54 PM in response to skierrob2

    Same problems here in UK, when pairing with Ford Focus. Was perfect the day before using my iPhone 5.  Person I am calling says the sound is clear so it's just in the car where it sounds distorted or scratchy. Playback on music is fine. Hope this gets sorted or the phone will have to go back as using the phone in the car is vital.

  • by Steve9881,

    Steve9881 Steve9881 Apr 6, 2016 2:07 PM in response to Allisonm67
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 2:07 PM in response to Allisonm67

    Having just spoken to apple care, they have advised taking the handset back to my supplier (carphone warehouse) and they'll give me a new handset, however due to the amount of people complaining about this, they doubt I'll get another one immediately. That's annoying. So, I've put my 5s back into commission and I'll deal with the hassle at the weekend.

     

    Also just noticed that my SE rattles when lightly shook. I'll check my replacement when obtained!

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