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 Banuschka,

    Banuschka Banuschka May 22, 2016 11:54 AM in response to dcpmark
    Level 1 (14 points)
    May 22, 2016 11:54 AM in response to dcpmark

    I agree: I upgraded to iOS 9.3.2 and now all my bluetooth problems are gone.

    I am using two bluetooth connections: via my Motorola Sliver II earphone and the connection via my VW Phone (Touran).

    I am getting a crystal clear voice, better than on my iPhone 5s!

    One very happy 5SE user!

  • by brettfromcoffs harbour,

    brettfromcoffs harbour brettfromcoffs harbour May 22, 2016 2:42 PM in response to mreg376
    Level 1 (12 points)
    May 22, 2016 2:42 PM in response to mreg376

    Think of the cash you would of saved if you had of waited a few weeks for the SOFTWARE update, lol.

  • by Kvsaul,

    Kvsaul Kvsaul May 22, 2016 3:08 PM in response to mreg376
    Level 1 (8 points)
    May 22, 2016 3:08 PM in response to mreg376


    Not confusing you at all you said.....1  "it is a hardware problem.....Wrong........2 then you said ' There is no Fix......again wrong,

     

    There were many more comments that you made that actually made me laugh the more you tried to justify how wrong you actually were (over here we call that digging a hole for yourself) some of us actually know when to stop digging.

     

    I am so glad to hear you are remaining in the apple community because I said you are very entertaining and even better reading when you never once apologise even when you were wrong to anybody so you might have been correct all along. (that's called sarcasm over here).

  • by milehighskier,

    milehighskier milehighskier May 25, 2016 6:37 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 25, 2016 6:37 AM in response to skierrob2

    2009 Ford F450... I have the same audio issues when talking on the phone over bluetooth in my truck. Very frustrating! Although I didn't have time to read through the 60 pages of this thread, I thought I would post the solution I have been using.

     

    The solution that worked for me was to ask the person on the other line to talk in the quietest voice that they possibly could. Then I could hear them fine. But it was weird asking clients to whisper to me...

     

    Anyway, I just updated the software last night to 9.3.2. I am hoping it works... I will let you know.

  • by BBoiss,

    BBoiss BBoiss May 25, 2016 7:40 AM in response to milehighskier
    Level 4 (1,404 points)
    Apple Music
    May 25, 2016 7:40 AM in response to milehighskier

    milehighskier wrote:

     

    2009 Ford F450... I have the same audio issues when talking on the phone over bluetooth in my truck. Very frustrating! Although I didn't have time to read through the 60 pages of this thread, I thought I would post the solution I have been using.

     

    The solution that worked for me was to ask the person on the other line to talk in the quietest voice that they possibly could. Then I could hear them fine. But it was weird asking clients to whisper to me...

     

    Anyway, I just updated the software last night to 9.3.2. I am hoping it works... I will let you know.

    You bring up an interesting point with the whispering bit. In my own experience when connecting my iPhones through my car audio (aux or bt) I turn the volume down a few notches on my iPhone for best audio quality. If I don't, and I have it at max volume on the phone, I notice the audio really peaks very easily at low volume if I adjust the volume through my car itself. I don't identify this as being specifically related to iPhones though. I had always experienced this with aux connections dating as far back as when I was rocking my portable CD player. The difference in the grade of your speakers you have in your car don't really matter against this.

     

    When you're connected via USB*, your only volume control is through your car audio system so you don't have to fiddle as much.

     

    As far as the specific issue of hands free calls though, 9.3.2 has been the savior for SE owners. You may want to restart your iPhone after installing the update. Hold the Sleep/Wake Button on the top of your iPhone and Slide to Power Off. Wait for it to fully power down, and then power it back on again.

     

    Restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

     

    *edit: I mistakenly wrote bluetooth for this before which was incorrect

  • by ric7744,

    ric7744 ric7744 May 25, 2016 12:08 PM in response to BBoiss
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPhone
    May 25, 2016 12:08 PM in response to BBoiss

    Before I buy it I want to know from owners if the 9.3.2 fixed it.

  • by 81mrg81,

    81mrg81 81mrg81 May 25, 2016 12:11 PM in response to ric7744
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 25, 2016 12:11 PM in response to ric7744

    You are in good place then.

    Just read through last few pages of this thread. No one will do that for you.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 May 25, 2016 12:14 PM in response to ric7744
    Level 9 (57,222 points)
    iPhone
    May 25, 2016 12:14 PM in response to ric7744

    I said for you to look. Just a few above your post is this:

     

    I agree: I upgraded to iOS 9.3.2 and now all my bluetooth problems are gone.

    I am using two bluetooth connections: via my Motorola Sliver II earphone and the connection via my VW Phone (Touran).

    I am getting a crystal clear voice, better than on my iPhone 5s!

    One very happy 5SE user!

  • by ric7744,

    ric7744 ric7744 May 25, 2016 2:53 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPhone
    May 25, 2016 2:53 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    That is good to hear, I was one of the first to get the SE, but the Bluetooth issue was so bothersome that I returned it and went back to my 5. I liked everything else about it but was worried it might be a hardware issue. I will go and purchase one again.

  • by Richard Wood1,

    Richard Wood1 Richard Wood1 May 25, 2016 6:41 PM in response to ric7744
    Level 1 (9 points)
    May 25, 2016 6:41 PM in response to ric7744

    My new SE arrived a few days ago. 9.3.2 (13F69). I'm having bluetooth problems. It wouldn't connect to my Photive speaker. I spent a few hours trying every fix I could find short of a full restore. I was able to get it to connect by turning on and off bluetooth about 10 times, as someone suggested. But I have a Go Groove bluetooth device in my car and I've not been able to get the SE to recognize it. I turned bluetooth on and off about a hundred times. No luck. The Go Groove  worked fine a few days ago with my iPhone 5.

  • by ric7744,

    ric7744 ric7744 May 25, 2016 8:56 PM in response to Richard Wood1
    Level 1 (12 points)
    iPhone
    May 25, 2016 8:56 PM in response to Richard Wood1

    Sorry your having connection problems, how is the call quality on Bluetooth?

  • by Supertowne,

    Supertowne Supertowne May 26, 2016 1:05 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 26, 2016 1:05 PM in response to skierrob2

    I rebought an iPhone SE after my return 2 months ago.  I watched this thread unfold and then finally decided to try again.  Bought a Verizon Silver 64GB.  Updated to 9.3.2 (It was 9.3.1 out of the box).  The Bluetooth works great with all of my devices.  I find this to be a great upgrade to my iPhone 5S.  Like the small size and convenience of that small package.  I also like the fact that 5S parts will fit it and repairs will be reasonable if necessary.  No new cases. A repair guy recently told me the 5S and SE are built like brick Sh@@houses.   The list goes on.  Unless the iPhone 7 has a 4" version I did not think it was worth waiting.  Besides they will be near $1000. 

     

    All in all a great offering.  Just a bit disappointed in how Apple delayed the fix and sidestepped the issue.  Honesty and being up front will get you farther as a company.

  • by bxd20,

    bxd20 bxd20 May 26, 2016 1:12 PM in response to Supertowne
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 26, 2016 1:12 PM in response to Supertowne

    Waited to hear that the general release of 9.3.2 was solid.  Then I bought two 64GB unlocked SEs, one for my wife.  Bluetooth works well in a 2011 Saab 9-3, 2014 Chevrolet Volt, and 2016 Chevrolet Equinox.  Pairs fine, crystal clear sound.  Hopefully it's built better than my old 4S with WiFi chip issues.

  • by MoreAppleJuice,

    MoreAppleJuice MoreAppleJuice May 28, 2016 3:16 PM in response to Supertowne
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    May 28, 2016 3:16 PM in response to Supertowne

    Hi Supertowne & bxd20.

    A bit OT but does your brand new iPhone SE samples rattle (loose power button and/or volume buttons) when shaked or tapped?

    If not, then what Serial No.-series did you get (put xx for the last digits)?

    I also plan to rebuy me a new SE, but not if it rattles as bad as my previous which sounded broken just putting it down on the table, even with the Apple leather case mounted.

  • by Richard Wood1,

    Richard Wood1 Richard Wood1 May 28, 2016 3:48 PM in response to Richard Wood1
    Level 1 (9 points)
    May 28, 2016 3:48 PM in response to Richard Wood1

    It turns out that the GoGroove FlexSmart 2 wasn't paired correctly. When I got that straightened out, bluetooth works fine.

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