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 Richard Wood1,

    Richard Wood1 Richard Wood1 May 28, 2016 3:53 PM in response to ric7744
    Level 1 (9 points)
    May 28, 2016 3:53 PM in response to ric7744

    ric7744 wrote:

     

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

    It turns out that the GoGroove FlexSmart 2 wasn't paired correctly. When I got that straightened out, bluetooth works fine. I don't use bluetooth for calls. So it looks like turning bluetooth on and off ten times fixed whatever was keeping if from pairing, and taking the proper pairing steps got the GoGroove FlexSmart 2 paired.

  • by Pauly70,

    Pauly70 Pauly70 May 28, 2016 4:23 PM in response to ChrisJ4203
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 28, 2016 4:23 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

    I downloaded the update on Wednesday.  Worked fine on Thursday.  By Friday, it wasn't working again.  It takes at least 20 minutes to finally connect to my car.  If it connects at all.

  • by Supertowne,

    Supertowne Supertowne Jun 1, 2016 1:29 PM in response to MoreAppleJuice
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 1, 2016 1:29 PM in response to MoreAppleJuice

    I have no loose power or volume buttons on my new SE.  Serial is F1*********XX

     

    <Personal Information Edited by Host>

  • by predacon,

    predacon predacon May 29, 2016 2:27 PM in response to Supertowne
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 29, 2016 2:27 PM in response to Supertowne

    My SE has 9.3.2 update and seems to be working well except when connected to Bluetooth device there is no audible notification when I receive a text message, only vibration.  When not connected I hear the text message chime just fine.  Yes, I've checked the ringer off toggle and it was on ring.  Spent two hours on the phone with Sr. support today doing all kinds of gyrations.  Simulated the problem but could not resolve this issue.  I am missing texts when my SE is connected to Bluetooth.  Good lord!  Why are these phones so buggy? 

     

    I've now gone through more iPhone trouble shooting baloney with Apple over the last 2 months than in my previous 25 years using other brands of cell phones.  Reset device.  Reset settings.  Restore.  Then same **** problems.  Is Apple software one big bowl of spaghetti code that can't be supported?  These apps and stuff are nice but I'm missing my old reliable BB10 phones. 

  • by swiss-urs,

    swiss-urs swiss-urs Jun 6, 2016 3:55 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 6, 2016 3:55 AM in response to skierrob2

    I had same issues with Audi MMI with my iPhone 6 after a iOS update and my provider was telling me, I can now call via WiFi.

    I switched off the Call over WiFi and the Problem is no longer existing.

  • by Supertowne,

    Supertowne Supertowne Jun 6, 2016 6:56 PM in response to Supertowne
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 6, 2016 6:56 PM in response to Supertowne

    A new update:

    I have returned the iPhone SE for a refund through Verizon for a second time.  I am within the 14 days and this is the final straw.  Here are some of the reasons why.

    - While driving and the cell service is switching modes (4GLTE, 3G, 1X, etc.) I lose calls.  This did not happen with my 5S!

    - Wi-Fi Calling is a joke!  Works well if you do not move while conversing.  If you move outside Wi-Fi range the cellular service does not pickup the call resulting in a dropped call

    - VoLTE (Advanced Calling HD on Verizon) is also horrible.  If you lose LTE while on a call - drop the call.  Good feature

    - Bluetooth still suffers in quality.  Lose calls on my Ford Escape 2014, Various Bluetooth headsets.

    - Wi-Fi range is terrible!  I get at least 60' greater range with my 5S on an Asus RT-N66U Router

     

    The list goes on.  Either the 5S is just an exceptional product, and it may be, or the SE is a Lemon design.  I give up.

  • by LHiner4,

    LHiner4 LHiner4 Jun 24, 2016 10:54 AM in response to Steve Sparks
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 24, 2016 10:54 AM in response to Steve Sparks

    I am getting a similar problem with all streaming audio from my 6s in a 2015 Forester. The crazy thing is that my wife's 6 (and my previous 6) work fine - no audio clipping or distortion. I wonder if there is hardware issue in the SE and the 6S that is not present in the previous model.

     

    The funny thing is that it only occurs for me if the phone is close to the head unit. Pop it in a cupholder and that is fine, but that is no bueno when using nav...

     

    Have you found a fix?

  • by Adam F,

    Adam F Adam F Jun 24, 2016 10:57 AM in response to LHiner4
    Level 2 (426 points)
    Jun 24, 2016 10:57 AM in response to LHiner4

    The last update took care of the issues for me.

     

    Unrelated - I really find the new layout for discussions un-intuitive and difficult to navigate.

  • by LHiner4,

    LHiner4 LHiner4 Jun 24, 2016 11:00 AM in response to Adam F
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 24, 2016 11:00 AM in response to Adam F

    Indeed. Just noticed 62 pages of replies.

     

    I guess I'll wait for the new iOS version this fall.

     

    Thanks for the reply!

  • by cliefellow,

    cliefellow cliefellow Jul 27, 2016 9:39 AM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Jul 27, 2016 9:39 AM in response to skierrob2

    I recently purchased iPhone SE's for my wife and I.  I drive a 2010 Toyota Tundra and she drives a 2012 Toyota Highlander.  We both experience multiple issues when making phone calls on the SE while connected to the vehicle via Bluetooth.

     

    I've tried resetting the network settings.  I've tried updating to the latest iOS (9.3.3).  I've tried power cycling the devices.  I've resetting the system in both vehicles.   To this point, there have been no positive results. 

     

    It occurs to me that maybe the problem is a compatibility issue.  I can't verify it, but I believe our vehicles use Bluetooth version 1.1 or 2.0.  The SE uses version 4.2.  I've been scouring the 'net for information on this, to no avail.  Seems plausible though.

     

    Any thoughts?

  • by Mrsob4,

    Mrsob4 Mrsob4 Aug 2, 2016 12:50 PM in response to VUDoc27
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple Pay
    Aug 2, 2016 12:50 PM in response to VUDoc27

    had this issue only after the last update. no issues prior.

  • by Salomie,

    Salomie Salomie Aug 19, 2016 12:30 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Aug 19, 2016 12:30 PM in response to skierrob2

    Please add my 2010 BMW 5 series xi i am using a 6S.  I can only receive calls but cannot make calls or access the address via blue tooth.  So frustrating because it worked before.

  • by wylht,

    wylht wylht Aug 22, 2016 1:37 PM in response to skierrob2
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 22, 2016 1:37 PM in response to skierrob2

    I am using Oticon Opn hearing aids, which are Made For iPhone hearing aids. When I use them to take phone, I suffer from exactly the same problem. Streaming music and audio book is good, only phone call is bad, both phone call and Skype call. My system version is 9.3.4.

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